Projected to be a generational quarterback, Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence is expected to be taken first overall at the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team has already begun sending him playbooks and it was just over the weekend that Jaguars fans bought Lawrence wedding gifts to welcome him. Now, he’s favored to win the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
BetOnline has made Trevor Lawrence the +275 favorite when it comes to the award. If one thing’s for sure, he displayed his offensive talents during his time at Clemson. By the end of his three seasons, Lawrence had recorded 10,098 passing yards and 90 touchdowns. He also showcased some mobility by registering 943 yards on the ground and 18 rushing touchdowns. If he’s able to translate that sort of play to the NFL level, there’s no reason why Lawrence can’t be the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Five of the last 10 recipients have been quarterbacks, so he has a good chance.
However, just because he’s being favored doesn’t mean Trevor Lawrence is guaranteed to win.
2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Thursday, April 15
- Trevor Lawrence (+275)
- Justin Fields (+450)
- Zach Wilson (+450)
- Kyle Pitts (+900)
- Mac Jones (+1000)
- Ja'Marr Chase (+1200)
- Trey Lance (+1200)
- Najee Harris (+1400)
Full odds list available at BetOnline.ag.
Can Fields, Wilson Upset Trevor Lawrence?
Outside of Trevor Lawrence, two other quarterbacks that are projected to be selected early in the draft are Justin Fields and Zach Wilson. Both men had great showings during their time in college and are players that teams can build around for the future. They also both have +450 odds to be the 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
For Fields, it’s looking like he’ll end up with the New York Jets, who have the No. 2 pick. While it may have been tough to project Wilson being the Offensive Rookie of the Year a few years ago, he showed a lot of improvement in 2020 which increased his draft stock. Here’s a look at how his passing stats improved between 2019 and 2020:
- 2019: 9GP, 2,382 yards, 11 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 62.4% passes completed.
- 2020: 12GP, 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 73.5% passes completed.
Justin Fields could also upset Trevor Lawrence to become the 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s an all-around talented quarterback. He can throw, as shown by his 5,373 passing yards and 63 touchdowns in two seasons with Ohio State. He also added 867 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns during his time with the Buckeyes.
Pitts, Chase Have Best Odds Out of Non-QBs to Win the Award
Out of all non-quarterback offensive players, Florida TE Kyle Pitts has the best odds to be the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year at +900 odds. Should he be victorious, Pitts would be the first tight end to ever win the award. Fortunately for him, he has the talent to back it up. In three seasons with Florida, Pitts caught 100 passes for 1,492 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s a two-time All-SEC player and won the 2020 John Mackey Award for best tight end in all of college football.
On the other hand, LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase (+1200) is another highly-touted pass-catcher who’s expected to be taken early. He missed last season to try and focus on training for his professional career. However, the previous two seasons show what he’s capable of. In 24 games with LSU, Chase recorded 2,093 yards and 23 touchdowns on 107 receptions. He was also the 2019 recipient of the 2019 Fred Biletnikoff Award for most outstanding receiver in college football.
