Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner as the fourth overall pick to the New York Jets during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports — © Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Bearcats Peppered Across NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Markets

Cincinnati had a franchise-record nine players get selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
May 11, 2022 2:09 PM EDT

CINCINNATI — History's been pretty barren for Bearcats fans that want to bet on UC rookies to make noise in the NFL. Well, that changes quickly when you place the third-most draft picks in the league from any college program at the 2022 NFL Draft.

That's exactly what happened a little less than two weeks ago. Cincinnati landed five of those nine picks in the top-100. Talent like that means one former player could take home an NFL Rookie of the Year award.

I'll lay out my best bets on the topic later in the summer but here are all the players with listed odds on DraftKings Sportsbook to take home a trophy.

Unsurprisingly, Ahmad Gardner (10-1) leads the way among Bearcats defenders for best odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. He ranks ninth in odds and should start from Day One, giving him plenty of playmaking chances to state his case. History is not on his side though, since Charles Woodson's award in 1998, only two cornerbacks have won the trophy (Marshon Lattimore: 2017, Marcus Peters: 2015).

Next on the odds list is Myjai Sanders (80-1), who could push for starting reps in Arizona but will have a climb to get there sitting on the third string of the outside linebacker depth chart heading into the summer. His elite pressure rate translating immediately would go a long way towards a third-straight pass rusher winning the award.

Coby Bryant, Darrian Beavers, and Bryan Cook all landed on the odds list at 100-1. Bryant may be worth a tiny investment at that price. He will get every chance to start from Day One in Seattle. Meanwhile, Darrian Beavers is stuck firmly behind incumbent middle linebacker Blake Martinex on the Giants.

For Cook, history says it would be lighting money on fire. Since the Associated Press started awarding these trophies in 1967, only two safeties have won. Although, Eric McMillan did win in 1988 as an early-third round pick.

On the offensive side of the ball, Desmond Ridder (14-1) leads the way, followed by Alec Pierce (30-1). In short, both have a puncher's chance. Ridder more so given the fact he could win Atlanta's starting QB job in training camp. Since 2012, half of the award winners have been quarterbacks.

Pierce is in a similar boat with his camp battle for the No. 1 wide receiver role next to Michael Pittman Jr. on the Colts. History says he'll need to have a historic season. Since Randy Moss captured the crown in 1998, only three receivers have won the award.

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

You May Also Like:

Look: Ahmad Gardner Buys Permanent Jersey Number From Jets Teammate

Recruiting Roundup: Bearcats Lock Down Four Visits Among Top 2023 Targets

Bearcats Move up in Latest ESPN Recruiting Rankings

Bearcats Offer Four-Star 2023 Center; Bring in 2024 Sharpshooter for a Visit

Watch: Ahmad Gardner Practices With Jets Rookies, Signs Rookie Contract

PFF Lists Coby Bryant as 'Instant-Impact Day Three Rookie'

Ahmad Gardner Signs Contract With New York Jets

Four-Star 2023 Point Guard Trey Green Places UC in Top-Seven Schools

Richard Sherman: Coby Bryant 'Will be a Long-Time Starter' for Seattle Seahawks

Desmond Ridder Named one of the 2022 NFL Draft's Biggest Steals