The 2022 NFL rookie class is posing unique challenges for oddsmakers this season. Most sportsbooks stand to lose money if Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens wins Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Positive reports from training camp and a touchdown catch in the preseason opener prompted a steady flow of wagers on Pickens. His odds throughout the betting market opened at around 50-1 but moved to mostly 9-1 or 10-1.
Chris Bennett, director of risk at Circa Sportsbook, explained why Pickens is now the favorite after opening at such long odds earlier in the offseason.
“I do not have Pickens at the shortest odds because I think he’s most likely to win. I just want to write bets on other guys [to lower Pickens’ liability],” said Bennett, who also shared that Circa took a “big bet” from a respected bettor at 50-1 odds.
Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, SuperBook and Circa Sports all said that Pickens represents their largest ticket count, and most said he is the house’s biggest liability.
“I don’t recall this market being all over the board,” John Murray, executive director of the SuperBook, told ESPN. “It doesn’t look like a great offensive rookie class. I guess that’s to be expected when you don’t have a high-profile quarterback at the top of the draft, so it’s setting up to be more open than normal.”
That’s what makes this year so different. Pickens was taken with the 52nd overall pick in the second round after 10 other wide receivers. However, Pittsburgh appears ready to feature him now, and bettors have taken notice.
“He was a five-star recruit, so it’s not a talent issue. He is just as good as all the other wide receivers who were one-third the price,” professional bettor Jason Weingarten told ESPN about his 35-1 ticket. “And no quarterbacks were taken in the top 15 picks, so it’s wide open.”
The Steelers were the first team to take a…
Source : espn
