It’s beginning to look like Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson is going to be a training camp holdout but that hasn’t kept oddsmakers at Sportbet.com from giving him the favorites nod for rookie of the year honors following the new season. Johnson who was the overall No.2 pick in the NFL Draft last April is favored to win the top rookie honors with a +280 money line chalk. Considered the best talent in the draft, the former Georgia Tech receiver fell into the Lions lap when the Oakland Raiders drafted LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell No.1.Russell is carrying +490 ML odds to win top rookie honors.
Powerful running back Adrian Peterson has the second best odds to win rookie of the year as a Minnesota Viking with a +440 chance. Peterson, like Johnson and Russell is still unsigned, however Vikings coach Brad Childress expects the former Oklahoma Sooners Heisman Trophy prospect to be signed by the start of camp.
Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch , taken 12th overall in the draft from Cal-Berkeley could sneak away with rookie of the year honors if either of the other favorites stumble. Lynch with +470 ML odds will be in camp on time and doesn’t have any lingering health problems such as those of Peterson. The Vikings still haven’t had a good look at Petersons collarbone he broke early in his 2006 season at Oklahoma.
The player to win this years NFL Rookie of the year will be the player who gets the best opportunity and takes advantage of it. Of course any long holdouts or injuries could be hindering factors.
Sportbet.com Top Favorites to win 2007 NFL Rookie of the Year honors
Calvin Johnson +280
Adrian Peterson +440
Marshawn Lynch +470
JaMarcus Russell +490
Brady Quinn +800
Joe Thomas +800
Dwayne Bowe +800
Craig Davis +875
Dwayne Jarrett +875
LaRon Landry +875
Patrick Willis +875
Ted Ginn Jr. +875
Steve Smith +875
