It’s difficult to predict anything with any kind of accuracy right now with all of the unknown surrounding the 2020 NFL season. The one thing we can be pretty sure of though is Wide Receiver CeeDee Lamb is going to have an outstanding rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys. But, is it good enough to be considered an Offensive Rookie of the Year lock?
If you happened to read Jess Haynie’s article on CeeDee Lamb’s chances of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year then you probably already know he’s a longshot. I don’t dispute anything Jess stated in his article. He makes an excellent case as to why the former Oklahoma star WR is probably going to need a miracle to win OROY. I however think it’s definitely doable.
Here are the Top 10 Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates, per BetOnline…
- Joe Burrow +250
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire +400
- Cam Akers +900
- Jonathan Taylor +900
- Tua Tagovailoa +1000
- D’Andre Swift +1200
- CeeDee Lamb +1400
- J.K. Dobbins +1600
- Jerry Jeudy +1600
- Justin Herbert +1600
Most analysts have CeeDee Lamb outside of the Top 5 as it pertains to who wins Offensive Rookie of the Year. As you can see BetOnline currently has him with the seventh best odds as does Sport Betting Dime. Pro Football Focus has him even further down the list at No. 8. Still, I think he has a better chance than people are giving him credit for.
Other than Cincinnati Bengals shiny new quarterback, Joe Burrow, no other rookie within the Top 10 should be considered a full-time starter. Every one of the running backs look like they will be in a timeshare as rookies, as does the wide receivers. To me, that gives CeeDee Lamb just as good a chance as anyone else in my opinion.
Sadly though, history is working against CeeDee Lamb. Only three WRs have won OROY in the last 20 years and only nine total have ever won the award. This is an award that has been heavily dominated by RBs (34) and QBs (10). No tight ends or offensive lineman have ever won.
While history suggests CeeDee Lamb virtually has little to no chance of winning OROY, I think the situation he finds himself in increases his odds. You may think being third on the depth chart with the Cowboys hurts his chances a little, however, I think the opposite. He is going to see some really favorable matches playing with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
With the favorable matches and Lamb’s run after the catch ability he should rack up receiving yards and touchdowns. I think that will vault him further up the OROY rankings, quite possibly as far as the top spot. He may not be a lock right now, but I really believe he’s going to be a serious contender for the award when all is said and done.
