Intriguing rookie player prop bets to consider for 2019
The NFL betting market will start to heat up now that the dust has settled post-draft. Here, we dive into the most intriguing rookie player props available.
Kyler Murray
Bet: Over/Under 3,200 passing yards (Over -125, Under -105)
The No. 1 overall pick was plucked to fit new Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury's style. Kingsbury doesn't have a track record in the pro coaching ranks, but you can expect his system to mesh well with the current landscape of the NFL. It should be a seamless fit for Murray, the reigning Heisman winner at Oklahoma.
The Cardinals' offense ranked dead last in a bevy of categories last season. First-round quarterback Josh Rosen was barely a factor, struggling behind a poor offensive line and depleted receiving corps. Rosen, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins on Day 2 of the draft, posted 2,278 yards in 14 games as a rookie.
The Cardinals must believe Murray's legs can bail out the offense more often than not - they didn't address the offensive line in the draft until the sixth round. What Arizona did capitalize on early was shoring up Murray's supporting cast: The front office snagged three wide receivers who will all bring something different to the offense alongside veteran Larry Fitzgerald.
The system and some new weapons should help Murray post decent numbers as a rookie. What should also boost his stats is the fact the Cardinals will likely be playing from behind a lot; that'll result in an uptick in throwing.
If the rookie gets through a full 16-game slate, he should shatter this number.
Most receiving yards
Bet: Marquise Brown +110; Deebo Samuel +200; N'Keal Harry +200
Though Day 1 of the draft was slim on wide receivers - Brown and Harry were the only two taken - there is some game-breaking potential in a rookie class full of upside. The three listed wideouts to lead the class in receiving yards should all have their opportunities to make a splash. Our own fantasy football expert Justin Boone recently unveiled his post-draft wide receiver rankings, slotting Harry at No. 33 and Brown and Samuel back-to-back at No. 66 and 67, respectively.
Brown, the first receiver taken off the board by the Baltimore Ravens, has a boom-or-bust feel to him. "Hollywood" was a burner at Oklahoma but flashed skills as an all-around receiver. He does carry some baggage after coming off surgery to repair a lisfranc injury a few months ago, though. Brown's production might also have a cap given Baltimore's run-heavy approach under dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Samuel did everything at South Carolina, posting 16 touchdowns through the air, seven on the ground, four via kick return, and another via fumble recovery. He beefed up a San Francisco 49ers receiving corps that will feature second-year man Dante Pettis, speedster Marquise Goodwin, and tight end George Kittle. Samuel figures to be a solid player in head coach Kyle Shanahan's system, but it might be too crowded to put up huge numbers right away.
Harry, the former Arizona State standout who was taken with the final pick of the first round by the New England Patriots, should thrive in an offense that has developed players with lower ceilings than the rookie into productive weapons. Harry will need to separate better at the next level, but he's a wideout who should see plenty of targets in 2019 without Rob Gronkowski in the fold. He'd be the best value pick here.
Dwayne Haskins
Bet: Over/Under 7.5 starts (Over -120, Under -120)
With a number like this, the oddsmakers' thought process is essentially the same as everyone else's: It's a matter of when - not if - the Washington Redskins hand Haskins the keys to the offense in 2019.
The Redskins needed a contingency plan under center in the offseason. With quarterbacks Alex Smith and Colt McCoy both suffering leg injuries last year, the Redskins went out and traded for Case Keenum, sending the Denver Broncos a sixth-round pick in return. Despite leading the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship during the 2017 season, Keenum isn't thought to be the savior for a rebuilding club. The Redskins were in the market for a franchise quarterback and Haskins landed right in their lap with pick No. 15.
He'll be the go-to guy sooner rather than later.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.