The regular season MVP has become a de facto QB-centric award. Yet, the same cannot be said about the Offensive Player of the Year. Quarterbacks are still in the run for an O-POY, but this time, wide receivers and running backs are the top candidates.
Let's examine the odds for NFL player prop bets on who will be the Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Justin Jefferson Ready to Break New Records (+1000)
The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year is gearing up for another fantastic season. Jefferson has been breaking records since his rookie years, and the Vikings' wideout has accumulated 4,825 receiving yards through his three seasons in the league.
Justin benefits from an accurate quarterback in Kirk Cousins. And with the drafting of WR Jordan Addison, Minnesota will stretch the field on the offensive side of the ball, giving Justin plenty of room to evade cornerbacks and move the chains. There is a lot of buzz about Justin's contract extension, with expectations that he will be the highest-paid NFL player who is not a quarterback.
"The contract comes with the game, but my agent handles that. I don’t see it as a cloud hanging over my head. At the end of the day, I’m just going to be myself, still going to be playing the same way," Jefferson said during minicamp in June.
Sportsbooks believe Justin has the best chance to win the award and allocate +1000 odds. Considering head coach Kevin O'Connell favors the passing game, Jefferson will have plenty of opportunities to prove his worth in the 2023-24 campaign.
A Healthy Christian McCaffrey Can Rack Up Yards (+1300)
Last year, Christian McCaffrey made a move to California after the Panthers traded him to the 49ers. It was an acquisition felt immediately in San Francisco.
"In hindsight, I firmly believe it's the best thing that ever happened to me," said McCaffrey about the trade this summer.
Christian was plagued by injuries in 2020 and 2021, missing most of both seasons. However, last year, he played the entire regular season, rushing for 1,139 total yards and 741 receiving yards, scoring 10 touchdowns.
If he's healthy, Christian can be another vital weapon in the 49ers' offense. McCaffrey is a running back benefiting from Kyle Shanahan’s affinity for the running game. With exceptional offensive line opening lanes, McCaffrey can have another 2,300-yard combined rushing and passing season as in 2019 and be a top candidate for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Sportsbooks give him +1300 odds to claim the recognition.
Lamar Jackson Dark Horse Candidate (+2200)
Jackson has plenty to prove after this off-season drama over his new contact. The Baltimore Ravens were hesitant to give him a fully guaranteed contract, considering Lamar's history with injuries. In the end, both sides made a compromise that will bring Lamar back under center for the 2023-24 season.
Lamar already has an MVP to his name from the 2019 season and is the model for a mobile quarterback. Although, Jackson likes to take that to the extreme and transform into a running back who occasionally passes the ball. Last year's injuries cut short his statistics. When healthy, Lamar can easily throw for 3,112 yards and rush for another 1,206 yards, a feat Jackson achieved in 2019.
And with star wide receiver Oddel Beckham on the roster, he will not have a problem finding an open man in the end zone. The betting line for Lamar is +2200, not a top 10 contender, but a player eager to prove his worth.
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