This year’s NFL draft class was largely unheralded, but rest assured come September more than a few of them will have an impact on their respective teams. The odds makers at Sportsbook.ag have released their list (i.e. 2013 NFL Rookie of the Year Odds) of first year players they expect to be most impactful. The offshore bookmaker has Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin listed as a +300 favorite to win Rookie of the Year honors. Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel is a second choice at +600 odds while Packers running back Eddie Lacy and Texans wide out DeAndre Hopkins are third choices at +800 odds.

 

Top 2013 NFL Rookie of the Year Candidates:

 

Tavon Austin (+300): Austin, selected with the eight overall pick in the draft, does not have prototypical size for an NFL wide receiver, but he hits the mark in every other category. The former Mountaineer owns speed, quickness, and agility in spades and he used those tools to get separation from coverage and create big plays on offense and in the return game for West Virginia.

 

E.J. Manuel (+600): Manuel was not expected to be the first quarterback taken in the draft, but the Bills made him just that by grabbing him with the 16^th pick of the first round. Manuel completed 68 percent of his passes at Florida State last year while throwing for 3392 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also led the Seminoles to a 12-2 and a 31-10 win over Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl. Most scouts consider Manuel a little rough around the edges, but his skill set (big arm, mobility, size) is tremendous. Manuel will be competing with Kevin Kolb for the Bills starting quarterback job.

 

Eddie Lacy (+800): Lacy, the 61^st pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, powered National Champion Alabama’s rushing attack last season, racking up 1322 yards and 17 touchdowns on 204 rush attempts. Durability and injuries concerns dropped him out of the first round, but he should aid the Packers sub-par ground game. Lacy could compete with fellow rookie Jonathan Franklin (UCLA) for carries, though, potentially reducing his rookie of the year chances.

 

DeAndre Hopkins (+800): Hopkins shredded defenses for Clemson last season, catching 82 balls for 1405 yards and 18 touchdowns. He possesses huge hands and exceptional ball skills, but lacks elite level speed. He should serve as a nice compliment to the aging Andre Johnson while giving quarterback Matt Schaub another reliable receiving threat.

 

Curious absences: running back Montee Ball (Broncos), running back Jonathan Franklin (Packers), wide receiver Stedman Bailey (Rams)

 

Tavon Austin (Rams) +300
E.J. Manuel (Bills) +600
Eddie Lacy (Packers) +800
DeAndre Hopkins (Texans) +800
Giovani Bernard (Bengals) +1000
Geno Smith (Jets) +1000
Tyler Eifert (Bengals) +1000
Cordarrelle Patterson (Vikings) +1500
Zach Ertz (Eagles) +1800
Matt Barkley (Eagles) +2000
Keenan Allen (Chargers) +2000
Justin Hunter (Titans) +2000
Marcus Lattimore (49ers) +2500
Field (Any Other Player) +200

What pro football bettors need to know about betting a season win total on the Miami Dolphins- a free pick from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik, with Vegas Runner and Bryan Leonard.