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Vic Tafur of The Athletic believes there's only three players you should be betting on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. And they are Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Steelers running back Najee Harris and Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts.
BetMGM currently as Lawrence as the favorite with 3-1 odds, followed by Harris at 6-1 and Pitts at 8-1.
"Steelers running back Najee Harris is the public’s choice, as he opened at 18 to 1 and has been bet down to 6 to 1," Tafur wrote. "Everyone can see that Pittsburgh drafted him to be their bell-cow running back and told James Conner to hit the bricks. Harris is a three-down back with an extra gear.
Tafur also noted that Harris said the Steelers’ run-game concepts are similar to what he did at Alabama. Ben Roethlisberger also said that Harris is taking in the offense rather quick for a rookie.
“He doesn’t seem lost. It’s not too big for him,” Roethlisberger said at OTAs. “His head’s not spinning. … The most exciting part is once he gets it and it clicks and he goes full speed.”
Roethlisberger also raved about Harris' work ethic.
"He is a really hard worker. He is in here extra-long hours," Roethlisberger said. "I think the other day the running backs coach (Eddie Faulkner) told him I have to go home now. That just shows he is still in there watching film. He is constantly asking questions. That is good. He doesn't seem lost. It's not like it's too big for him. His head isn't spinning. He is asking questions and that is good. He is playing fast. The most exciting part about Najee, that we are all going to be excited to see, once he gets it, it clicks and he goes full speed, man it's going to be something to see."
Along with trying to become the first Steelers rookie to win Offensive Rookie of the Year since Roethlisberger in 2004, he'll also be looking to break Franco Harris' franchise rookie rushing record of 1,055 yards.