David Montgomery Rookie of the Year? It might be a bit early to think about but this is the NFL. It’s 24/7/365. The Chicago Bears drafted the running back out of Iowa State with a clear goal in mind. They want him to be their future in the backfield under head coach Matt Nagy. Otherwise why give up two extra picks to move up to grab him?
FanDuel Sportsbook has since released their odds for who will win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2019. Unsurprisingly, #1 overall pick Kyler Murray is the favorite at +260 with Dwayne Haskins and Marquise Brown trailing behind him. The highest NFC North member? Detroit’s new tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Montgomery? He made the list but is hanging back at +3500. Thomas Casale of Roto Grinders warns people to place that bet while they can because those odds aren’t going to last.
“The best value on the board right now is clearly RB David Montgomery at +3500. I was really surprised to see Montgomery open at that number and I don’t expect it to last long, so grab it now. Some players enter a perfect situation and that’s the case with Montgomery and the Bears. A tough, physical runner, Montgomery was a workhorse in college at Iowa State where he led the nation by forcing 109 missed tackles last year.
Chicago traded Jordan Howard to the Eagles this offseason, while Tarik Cohen and Mike Davis are more complementary backs than every-down options. It would be surprising if Montgomery doesn’t open the season as the Bears starter. He’ll be featured on a Super Bowl contending team that wins with defense and running the football. There’s a lot to like about Montgomery at +3500.”
David Montgomery Rookie of the Year depends on his usage by Nagy
No one is debating the fact that Montgomery has talent. He basically carried Iowa State on his back for two years. His skill set is rich and balanced both as a strong, quick runner and a precise receiver out of the backfield. There is no reason to think he can’t have immediate success in the NFL. However, it may not be up to him.
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That depends on Nagy himself.
The Bears head coach is undoubtedly a sharp offensive mind. He proved that much in Kansas City and then in his first year with Chicago. One thing that stuck out about him though is his desire to spread the football around. He likes to get as many talents involved as possible. A proven method that keeps defenses guessing.
In order for Montgomery to have a shot at Rookie of the Year though, he’d have to deviate a bit from that formula and feed him the football a lot. Nagy did it with Kareem Hunt in Kansas City, but that was under the supervision of Andy Reid. It’s difficult to know if he’ll follow that same path.
