NFL Futures Tracker, Offensive Player of the Year
Tyreek Hill (Dolphins)
$2.40
There are two clear-cut favourites in the market for this year’s award, with Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill ($2.40) currently edging out San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey ($2.60).
Given that non-quarterbacks have won the last four OPOTY Awards – Justin Jefferson (WR), Cooper Kupp (WR), Derrick Henry (RB) and Michael Thomas (WR) – we’re more than happy to focus our attention on the receivers and running backs of the world to kick-start this list.
Starting with Hill, the star receiver has surpassed Ja’Marr Chase ($13) and McCaffrey in the market following his scintillating form and the Dolphins’ strong start to the season. He leads all WRs for receiving yards (1076) and touchdowns (8), with analysts predicting that he could notch a record 2,200y before the end of the season.
While the Dolphins have lost two of their last three games against the Eagles and Chiefs, Hill still made the most of his opportunities with 11 and 8 catches, respectively.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa clearly has his favourite in Hill, and if he continues to make passes, Tyreek will continue to make opposition defences very nervous.
Christian McCaffrey (49ers)
$2.60
The 49ers’ superstar running back is the only other player near Hill in the current market at $2.60, with either one worthy of a punt at this point of the season.
CMC is an essential cog in the San Francisco machine, working alongside Brock Purdy and helping his team to a 5-3 record and the third-most points in the NFC (218).
It’s been a challenging three-week period for the 49ers after starting the season with five straight wins. While they’ve lost three on the trot to the Browns, Vikings and Bengals, CMC has still found a way to have an impact with two TDs taking his season tally to 13.
His ability to produce as both a rusher and a receiver is unmatched, with a 9-4 touchdown split from his eight games. While Purdy has been unpredictable during San Fran’s run of losses, CMC gives Kyle Shanahan a reliable presence week in and week out.
The 49ers will clearly need to start winning again for CMC to feature in the OPOTY Award at the back end of the season, but that shouldn’t be an issue for the highly touted Super Bowl candidates.
A.J. Brown (Eagles)
$7.00
Currently ranked third in the market ($7) and fourth in the NFL’s offensive player rankings, A.J. Brown is on a dead-set tear with the all-conquering Philadelphia Eagles.
The 8-1 league leaders, who are ranked second for offence (252) behind only Miami (285), have only lowered their colours to the NY Jets so far this season, and Brown is a massive reason for their dominance. With his on-field relationship with QB Jalen Hurts improving each week, Brown ranks second in the NFL for receiving yards (1005) and is on track to obliterate his career-high 1496y from last season.
Before his Week 9 performance against the Cowboys (66y), Brown set an NFL record with six straight games of at least 125 receiving yards, including 175y and two TDs against the Commanders.
There is arguably no offensive player in better form than Brown at this point of the season, and his $7 quote could be the greatest value on offer if his dominance continues.
Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
$21.00
While non-QBs haven’t won this award since Mahomes first did it in 2018, if one player can break the short-lived curse, it’s him.
The two-time MVP hasn’t been his usual consistent self so far this season, and that’s why we’re getting a juicy $21 about him.
The Chiefs continue to dominate the AFC West with a 7-2 record, with Mahomes ranked third for passing yards (2442) and fourth for TDs (17). While he’s not dominating in quite the same fashion as his MVP-winning years, he’s still dishing performance like his 424y and four touchdowns to one interception in the Chiefs’ Week 7 win over the LA Chargers.
After Denver shockingly snapped a 16-game losing streak to Mahomes recently, the star QB bounced back with two TDs and the W against the Dolphins.
It’s been 10 years since a player has won the award multiple times, with Peyton Manning the last to do it in 2013. The odds (I mean, look at his price) are against him, but there’s no doubt the most talented player of his generation can bounce back in the second half of the year and retake the OPOTY crown.
