Pitt Rookies Have Long Odds to Win NFL Awards

As the NFL kicks off, former Pitt Panthers will contend for major awards.

PITTSBURGH -- As another NFL season begins, the Pitt Panthers will be well-represented on teams across the league. 

And with so much of the talent that won 20 total games over the past two seasons for the Panthers off to the NFL, some former Pitt players are contenders for major awards prior to kickoff of the 2023 regular season. 

Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, the 19th overall pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is tied for 11th in consensus odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year with defensive backs Brian Branch from the Lions and Joey Porter Jr. from the Steelers. His best odds come from Ceasars Sports book at +2,000 and his worst come from FanDuel at +3,500. 

Kancey is listed as a starter on the Buccaneers' depth chart but his status for the season opener is in question after he suffered a calf injury during training camp. 

Vikings first-round pick and former Pitt star, Jordan Addison ranks sixth in consensus odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. His odds range from +1,700 (DraftKings) to +1,400 (BetParx) on various sportsbooks and his consensus odds are at +1,600. Only Bijan Robinson, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, Jahmyr Gibbs and C.J. Stroud have better odds to win the award. 

Jets running back Israel Abanikanda is an even darker horse to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, with +7,525 odds, according to Action Network, and odds on individual sportsbooks ranging from +5,000 to +15,000. 

Abanikanda is on one of the bottom rungs of a loaded running backs room staffed by Dalvin Cook, Michael Carter and Breece Hall. He has a long way to go before he can earn significant snaps, considering he had also suffered an injury during the preseason. 

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