Training camps are kicking off this week, and while everyone’s hyped to see what rookies can do on the field, the Offensive Rookie of the Year race already has some clear favorites. Jeremiyah Love of the Arizona Cardinals, the No. 3 overall pick, leads the pack with +400 odds. Fernando Mendoza is right behind him at +425, with Carnell Tate at +550 and New Orleans Saints wideout Jordyn Tyson at +600. What’s wild is our guy, Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price, is already rounding out the top five with +750 odds. But as much as we love seeing a Seahawk in the mix, there are some serious sleepers lurking outside the top five who could completely shake up this early race.
Makai Lemon: The Biletnikoff Winner Who Could Be a Steal
You want value? Look no further than Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon, sitting at +1000 odds. This dude was the No. 20 overall pick, and he’s coming off a monster season at USC where he hauled in 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. That’s Biletnikoff Award winner kind of production right there! Last year, Lemon tied a Big Ten single-season record with four games where he ripped off 150-plus receiving yards and a score. Plus, his 502 yards after catch led the conference, and he was tied for third in the FBS with 16 receptions of 20+ air yards.
Yeah, he’s a slot weapon, not some big perimeter guy like an A.J. Brown. But new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who learned under Sean McVay, knows how to use playmakers. Scheming up quick touches for a reliable guy like Lemon seems like a no-brainer. He could explode out of the gate and make those +1000 odds look like a joke.
Antonio Williams: Commanders’ Secret Weapon for McLaurin
Another name to watch is Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams, currently chilling at +2800 odds as a third-round pick. While the Brandon Aiyuk drama continues to drag on over there, the Commanders definitely needed to give Terry McLaurin some help after he had his worst pro season. Williams could be that guy.
This dude left Clemson with the fourth-most career receptions in program history, racking up 208 grabs. He’s also tied for the fourth-most receiving touchdowns with 21. Over his last two seasons, he snagged 15 touchdowns, which led the ACC. He’s another solid slot weapon, super reliable, doesn’t drop the ball, and creates after the catch. He’s got that vision you need to make those game-changing splash plays. At +2800, that’s serious potential for a guy who could become a huge piece of that offense.
These two guys are proof that the OROY race is far from settled, even with Price already up there. It’s not just about the top picks, is it? As training camps heat up, keep an eye on Lemon and Williams. They’ve got the college stats and the potential to explode onto the scene and shake up those odds, maybe even giving our guy Jadarian Price some real competition for that hardware. This season is going to be wild, can’t wait to see these rookies fight for it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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