Expectations are sky high for Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson. Even with the team returning Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson, NFL analysts are projecting Robinson to play a major role.
Accordingly, Draft Kings has awarded Robinson with the best odds of winning the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
According to the betting odds from Draft Kings, the Falcons running back is a significant favorite to take home the honor. Robinson possesses odds of +275 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. The next best odds belonged to Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young with +500 odds.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine also picked Robinson as his heavy favorite for the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
“As long as Robinson stays healthy, he should be the man to beat for Offensive Rookie of the Year,” wrote Ballentine. “Outside of Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson, no other rookie figures to be the focal point of their offense like Robinson is.
“The Falcons finished first in rushing attempts and third in rushing yards last season. They didn’t use the No. 8 overall pick on a running back not to feed him the ball early and often.”
Nationally, there are some major concerns that quarterback Desmond Ridder could hold back the Falcons offense. For example, in a future NFL Power Rankings released on July 29, ESPN ranked Atlanta’s quarterback situation 30th in the league.
This offseason, Ballentine has been critical of the Falcons electing to start Ridder. But in this case, the Bleacher Report’s analyst argued Ridder starting will be good for Robinson’s award chances.
“Having a young quarterback like Desmond Ridder could actually help Robinson’s production, too,” Ballentine wrote. “He should be a safe, efficient weapon in check down and pressured situations.
“Robinson realistically could finish in the top five in total yards this year. It would be tough for anyone to top him for OROY honors if he does.”
But should Robinson win Offensive Rookie of the Year, it seems it would also be tough for the Falcons to not have a successful offense.
