One prop market this NFL season that might interest bettors is Comeback Player of the Year.
Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills opened up as a huge favorite to win the award at -500. This was in the wake of the safety’s life-threatening injury that he suffered during the 2022 season. So far in 2023, he has only suited up for one game, and his odds to win the award have lengthened to -110.
While Hamlin is still the favorite to be named Comeback Player of the Year, there’s now another player to watch in the race for this award, and that’s the New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers injured his Achilles in his debut with the Jets in Week 1. Initial reports suggested the Rodgers injury was season-ending. Recent reports, however, are that the four-time NFL MVP has said “give me a few weeks” regarding his comeback. To win this award, Aaron’s odds currently sit at +2500.
Over the course of his decorated career, Rodgers has passed for 59,055 yards and 475 touchdowns, won Super Bowl XLV and was named MVP of that game and was the league’s passing leader in 2016 and in 2020.
So naturally, speculation surrounding A-Rod’s return has shifted the odds.
Let’s dive into the odds for the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year at DraftKings.
TOP 25 NFL COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR ODDS*
Damar Hamlin: -110 (bet $10 to win $19.09 total)
Tua Tagovailoa: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Joshua Dobbs: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Breece Hall: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Lamar Jackson: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Baker Mayfield: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
T.J. Watt: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Aaron Rodgers: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Cooper Kupp: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Chase Young: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Zach Wilson: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Russell Wilson: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Matthew Stafford: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Rashan Gary: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
*odds as of 11/8/2023
Aaron Rodgers: ‘Give me a few weeks” to come back from Achillies injury
Editor’s note: Expert pick made before beginning of season
Pick via FOX Sports NFL Analyst Geoff Schwartz:
Damar Hamlin will win this award if he returns to play even half of the 2023 season. It appears he’s on track to do that, and it’s worth noting that he did have 82 tackles last season before that unfortunate heart injury. Hamlin’s a legit part of Buffalo’s defense and will win the award if he plays.
But the next best wager is Lamar Jackson — the newly-paid Baltimore Ravens quarterback.
Lamar Jackson has won 75% of the games he’s started, so the Ravens will be excellent next season with his return to the starting lineup. Jackson is playing in a new offense with Todd Monken calling plays which will balance his rush and pass attempts. An offense featuring more explosive passing plays will boost the QB’s numbers and help him win Comeback Player of the Year. It also helps players and media like Lamar, making him easy to root for.
Give me Jackson here.
PICK: Lamar Jackson (+2500) to win Comeback Player of the Year
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