Detroit Lions Rookie Of The Year Odds — Rare Double Possible?

If Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams can live up to their pre-draft hype, there is a solid chance the Lions rookies could make history in 2022. They could become the third teammates in NFL history to win Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) and Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY).

Let’s take a look at the odds for both awards as listed in four Michigan sports betting apps.

Detroit Lions Rookie Of The Year Odds — The Defense

Hutchinson, the former University of Michigan edge rusher, is the favorite to win DROY honors at DraftKings Michigan, BetMGM, and Caesars Michigan. New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is the favorite at BetRivers. The third-best odds at each of the sportsbooks mentioned above belong to the No. 1 pick, Jacksonville defensive end Travon Walker.

The following table contains a partial list of the players listed at Michigan sportsbooks:

Winning is not a must, but it does seem to help DROY winners. Over the last decade, only two winners played for teams with losing records, Luke Kuechly (2012 Carolina Panthers, 7-9) and Chase Young (2020 Washington Commanders, 7-9). However, despite their record, the Commanders won the NFC East.

Like the OROY award, one position has dominated DROY since the Associated Press started handing out the award in 1967. Linebackers have won it 26 times, the latest coming last year when Dallas’ Micah Parsons won. Defensive ends come in a distant second with 12 wins, followed by cornerbacks (8), tackles (7), and safeties (2).

Here comes the money: Detroit Lions are a popular bet at multiple sportsbooks

Detroit Lions Rookie Of The Year Odds — The Offense

Unlike Hutchinson, the Alabama wide receiver Williams is not listed as the betting favorite for OROY honors, but his odds at DraftKings, BetMGM Michigan, BetRivers Michigan, and Caesars are inside the top 10. He has between a 7.14 and 9.09 percent chance of winning, according to his odds.

The following table contains a partial list of the players listed at Michigan sportsbooks:

While playing for a winning team can only help, doing so is not a prerequisite. Yes, last year’s OROY Ja’Marr Chase came from the AFC champion Bengals, and the DROY played for a division winner, but prior to last season, five of the previous seven OROY winners came from teams with sub-.500 records.

The OROY tends to favor running backs. Thirty-five have won the award since its inception in 1967. Quarterbacks have won it 10 times — the last being in 2020 (LA Chargers QB Justin Herbert). With Chase winning last season, wide receivers have won OROY 10 times.

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Betting Analysis — Can The Lions Rookies Win?

First-round picks tend to do well when it comes to the rookie awards. Eight of the last 10 OROY winners were first-round picks, and nine of the previous 10 DROY winners were. But being a first-round pick is not enough. They also have to play a significant amount.

Playing time will likely not be an issue for Hutchinson or Williams, but there is more to it than just playing time. No one can do it alone. Wide receivers need quarterbacks (who need protection from their offensive line) who can get them the ball. Defensive linemen need to be surrounded by talented players to keep offensive lines from double and triple-teaming them.

What does this mean for the Lions’ rookies?

Playing time will not be a problem for Hutchinson or Williams, but there is not a lot of talent on the Lions’ defense and Goff has not been known for his passing game. It might be wise to wait and see how the Lions play before putting money down on either player.

AP Photo/Paul Sancy