As usual, quarterbacks are the favorites to win OPOY

It’s no surprise that the top two favorites to win the 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year are the last two league MVPs. Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson set an NFL record for quarterbacks by rushing for 1,260 yards last season. He also threw for a league-best 36 touchdowns.

Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes won the Super Bowl MVP leading his Chiefs to their first Lombardi Trophy in 50 years. Mahomes is the overall favorite to win the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year award at +500 odds. Jackson is listed at +750.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR ONLINE SPORTSBOOK’S JUICE ON NFL GAMES

Here’s a look at the other best bets to win the award this season.

A Repeat? 

It's been awhile since any player has repeated as winner of the OPOY. The last to do it was Marshall Faulk, who won three straight from 1999 to 2001. 

Last year's winner, wide receiver Michael Thomas, is given +1350 odds to repeat as the winner in 2020. Thomas set an NFL record with 149 receptions in 2019. Over the past two seasons, Thomas has 274 receptions. 

It's more likely that Thomas has a great season but drops off in production compared to 2019.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: BETTING 2020 NFL SPECIALS

Another Receiver?

Thomas was just the second wide receiver to ever win the award. The other one? You may remember him - Jerry Rice. The former 49ers great won the award twice, once in 1987 and again in 1993.

The OPOY is dominated by quarterbacks and running backs. As such, the only other wide receivers with odds under +3000 at America’s Bookie are Julio Jones, Chris Godwin, and DeAndre Hopkins.

Of the three, Hopkins might be the best bet. The former Houston star was traded to Arizona where he’ll pair with last year's NFL Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray. It's entirely possible Hopkins has a banner year and at +2500 the payout would be a nice one.

Both Jones and Godwin are listed at +2800, but if Jones has a great year his quarterback, Matt Ryan, might have more of a chance at winning the award. Ryan won the OPOY in 2016.

Godwin put up some great numbers last year (86-1,333-9TD) but shares the spotlight with another 1,000-yard receiver in Mike Evans. This year, he will also catch passes from two-time OPOY winner Tom Brady. 

Running Back Candidates

Over the past five seasons, Todd Gurley is the only running back to have won the award. This year, there are several running back candidates that could end that streak.

NFL bettors know it begins with Carolina's Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers star became just the third player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yard receiving in the same season. McCaffrey is listed at +1150 and is completely capable of winning the award.

The same is true for the Giants' Saquon Barkley, also listed at +1150. Last year, Barkley missed some time due to injury but still rushed for over 1,000 yards. As a rookie two years ago, he caught 92 passes. Barkley’s biggest issue is that he plays for the Giants, which are predicted to finish last in the NFC East.

The sleeper candidate to watch is Cleveland's Nick Chubb. He nearly led the NFL in rushing a year ago and he could very well do so this year in a new Browns offense. Chubb at +2300 is worth serious consideration.

Bet on the Offensive Rookie of the Year at America's Bookie.