NFL Betting: Player Awards Odds

The sportsbooks are starting to post odds for the 2020-21 NFL player award winners. Today we’ll look at three awards – Comeback Player of the Year, and the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Who are the favorites, and who are some value bets?

We’ll start with the Comeback Player of the Year award. Last year’s winner was Ryan Tannehill. The favorite this year at Bovada Sportsbook is Ben Roethlisberger at +225. Last year Big Ben was limited to only two games due to injury. If he can return and lead the Steelers back to the playoffs, he could be a shoo-in for the award.

Following Roethlisberger on the odds list are Cam Newton (+500), J.J. Watt (+550), A.J. Green (+600) and Nick Foles (+650). All of them missed substantial time last year due to injury.

A risky value pick could be tight end Jordan Reed at +6600. Reed doesn’t have a team right now after being released by the Washington Redskins, but he was one of the top tight ends in the league a few seasons ago before repeated injuries took their toll. If Reed can land in a good situation and stay healthy, he could be worth a cheap bet.

Mahomes tops board for offensive honors

Next up is Offensive Player of the Year. Last year Michael Thomas became only the second wide receiver to win the award. He’s a +1600 underdog at Bovada to win it again.

The favorite is Patrick Mahomes (+600), who won the award in 2018. He’s followed by Lamar Jackson at +900 and Christian McCaffrey at +1200. Tom Brady is also considered to be a contender at +1500.

A risky value pick could be Kyler Murray at +2000. Heading into his sophomore season, the Arizona quarterback has a new weapon to utilize after the Cardinals acquired star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Murray is a double threat in the mold of Lamar Jackson and if he can take it to the next level in Arizona, he could be a contender to win the award.

Donald real threat to win third defensive award

Lastly is the Defensive Player of the Year. Last year it went to Stephon Gilmore. He’s a +1600 underdog to repeat.

The favorite is two-time award winner Aaron Donald at +700. He’s followed by Nick Bosa at +850 and 2016 winner Khalil Mack at +1100. Three-time award winner J.J. Watt checks in at +1200, odds he shares with his brother T.J. Watt.

Two risky value picks that caught our eye are Myles Garrett at +2200 and Jadeveon Clowney at +3500.

Garrett looked like the favorite for the award last year before a suspension ended his season early. Clowney hasn’t lived up to his draft billing since entering the league, but the expectations were so sky-high that that was almost impossible. He’s still looking for a new team and could have something to prove this season.