Broncos Pro Bowl RB Phillip Lindsay Still a Long Shot for OROY
By Chris Amberley in NFL Football
Updated: March 25, 2020 at 9:54 am EDTPublished:
- Phillip Lindsay’s OROY odds went from an average of +1700 to +2500 after disappointing in Week 15
- Lindsay will need a strong finish to have any chance at passing Saquon Barkley
- Lindsay was one of six rookies selected to the Pro Bowl
It’s hard not to root for Phillip Lindsay.
He’s undersized, was hardly recruited out of high school, and went undrafted last spring despite breaking the University of Colorado’s record for all-purpose yards.
He started the preseason at the bottom of the Broncos depth chart, but quickly shot up the ranks and is now the answer to an NFL trivia question.
.@I_CU_Boy is the first undrafted offensive player in @NFL history to make the #ProBowl as a rookie. ? pic.twitter.com/F6BJdNoPZT
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 19, 2018
Despite his most recent accolade, Lindsay is still a hefty underdog when it comes to odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, trailing both Saquon Barkley and Baker Mayfield by a wide margin.
2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds
| Player | Team | Odds (Dec. 20) |
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | NYG | -500 |
| Baker Mayfield | CLE | +333 |
| Phillip Lindsay | DEN | +2500 |
Lindsay Proving everybody wrong
After watching him rip off one big play after another this season, it’s hard to fathom how Lindsay wasn’t one of the 21 running backs drafted.
He’s extremely elusive and runs a 4.39 40-yard dash, speed that clearly translates to the NFL level.
????
Phillip Lindsay goes 65-yards for the touchdown!pic.twitter.com/47QtnTFrnq
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) December 2, 2018
Lindsay ranks fifth in rush yards (991), second in yards per attempt (5.4) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (9) this season.
He has the third most runs of 10+ yards (29) and needs 114 more rushing yards in his final two games to set the all-time record by an undrafted rookie.
Keep doubting him.@I_CU_Boy will continue to prove everyone wrong.#ProBowl pic.twitter.com/iNFULO1sQg
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 19, 2018
How Lindsay stacks up versus Saquon
As good as Lindsay’s season has been, it’s hard not to wonder how much more productive he’d be with more volume. He has a higher yards per attempt than Barkley, but has seen 41 fewer carries.
Phillip Lindsay vs Saquon Barkley 2018 Stats
| 182 | Rush Attempts | 223 |
| 991 | Rush Yards | 1155 |
| 5.4 | Yards Per Carry | 5.2 |
| 33 | Receptions | 82 |
| 10 | Total Touchdowns | 13 |
He also boasts a respectable 73% catch rate, but has been targeted a whopping 61 fewer times than the second-overall pick.
Without true workhorse type volume, it’s virtually impossible for Lindsay to produce stats that rival Barkley’s.
Phillip’s final push
The Offensive Rookie of the Year award is Barkley’s to lose, but that’s not to say Lindsay can’t at least make it interesting.
He has a dream matchup on Christmas Eve and should be able gash a slow Raiders defense like he did the Cardinals in Week 7.
Philip Lindsay ROLLS into the endzone for another Broncos touchdown.
(Via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/mEOZgdYImo
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) October 19, 2018
His Week 17 matchup looks far less enticing. However, the Chargers may rest their starters if they’re locked into the fifth seed, putting Lindsay in another prime spot.
Sure, the odds are against him, but if Lindsay finishes the season strong he’ll at least force Barkley to do the same.
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
