The SEC remains somewhat light on OROY frontrunners. Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (+420) and Seattle Seahawks RB Jadarian Price (+650) still lead the way among backs. Price's path has only gotten clearer since the spring, with Seattle placing Zach Charbonnet on the reserve/PUP list at the roster deadline, ruling him out for at least the first four games while he continues recovering from a torn ACL. That leaves Price as the clear lead back to open the season.
First overall pick Fernando Mendoza sits close behind at +470, though he still projects to open the year behind Kirk Cousins in Las Vegas rather than as the every-down starter needed to seriously contend.
The SEC frontrunner remains former Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion, now with the Cleveland Browns. He led the conference with nine receiving touchdowns last season, and his preseason debut backed up the hype, with a rushing touchdown and a 31-yard punt return that nearly went the distance. At +3000, the best Alberta betting sites still have him as an outsider, but a crowded Browns receiver room and an unsettled quarterback situation leave real touches on the table if he keeps producing.
Germie Bernard offers another SEC outside shot. The former Alabama wideout, taken in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, sits at +5500 for OROY. Aaron Rodgers has praised Bernard's traits but he’s been candid that he still needs to learn the offense. Bernard has earned first-team reps in camp, and any real slice of Rodgers' production in his farewell year would make Bernard's price look generous.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
While many of the SEC's OROY hopefuls remain long shots, the leader of the DROY conversation is from LSU. Mansoor Delane was taken sixth overall by the Kansas City Chiefs and is now a lock to start Week 1 at cornerback. At +850, he is among the clear favorites.
At LSU, Delane was a true shutdown corner, allowing no touchdowns and completions on only 40 percent of passes thrown his way in his final season. He now joins a Chiefs secondary retooled after the departures of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, playing under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo alongside Chris Jones, Nick Bolton, and Drue Tranquill. The national visibility that comes with playing behind Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce only adds to a strong DROY case.
This remains a draft class stacked with SEC talent, but of everyone who has made the jump to the NFL, Delane still looks like the rookie best placed to bring home an award this season. Please note that the odds quoted are correct at the time of publication, and subject to change.
