New Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has the third-best odds to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for the upcoming season according to one oddsmaker.
BetMGM has posted its odds regarding the rookie candidates, with only fellow quarterback Joe Burrow (+240) of the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (+600) currently ranked ahead of Tagovailoa, who has listed odds of +900.
Tagovailoa, who played collegiately at the University of Alabama, was the third offensive player taken in the draft behind Burrow and University of Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who was selected by the New York Giants.
Prior to the start of the 2019 college football season, Tagovailoa was considered by many the likely top pick in the 2020 draft. However, injuries and a major hip surgery late in the year saw his stock diminish, while Burrow led the Louisiana State University Tigers to a national title and also won the Heisman Trophy.
At present, the Dolphins are expected to allow Tagovailoa to fully heal and learn the pro game on the sidelines during his rookie season.
That status, as well as the likelihood that Burrow will immediately become a starter for the Bengals, is a strong indicator as to why there’s such a major difference in the posted odds.
Edwards-Helaire was a teammate of Burrow at LSU and will have the relative luxury of joining the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
All three players and other rookies are expected to be playing in the NFL this fall unless the coronavirus pandemic continues, though the question of having fans in attendance for games is one aspect that remains uncertain.
