Many of the 'usual' suspects sit at the top of the NFL prop odds board

It's only May, which is why NFL player props are "early," but when betting on the NFL, any time to place a bet is the right time to place a bet. Early is only in terms of the Gregorian calendar. Using the NFL calendar, it’s the perfect time to look at who’s favored to have the big seasons.

Regular Season Passing Yards

Justin Herbert (currently +550*)
The L.A. Chargers' Justin Herbert holds the record for passing yards by a rookie, 4,336 in 2020. He then increased the figure to 5,014 yards last season, which finished 302 yards behind Brady. With his weapons all intact from that season. Herbert will once again be among the leaders. Apparently, someone is a believer, at least now, as Herbert opened this particular prop as fourth choice in the wagering. 

Tom Brady (+700)
Tampa Bay's Tom Brady has already found his next job. He's still pretty good at his current one,  though. He was the NFL's passing yards leader in 2005, 2007, 2017 and 2021, and he’s among the favorites (stunner) to pace the passers again in 2022.

Matthew Stafford (+700)
Even before the Rams' Matthew Stafford found new life in Los Angeles, he was one of the regulars on this list. He was third last season with 4,886 yards. That was only the third best total of his career. Stafford threw for 5,038 yards in 2011, behind only Drew Brees.

Patrick Mahomes (+750)
When Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards in his MVP season of 2018, he missed out on leading the league by 32 yards. In 2020, he again finished second in the NFL, and last season was fourth in what some called an "off" year. It's only a matter of time before he finishes first.

Note that Buffalo's Josh Allen currently sits at +1200 on this list, despite Super Bowl odds having the Bills favored to win their first-ever NFL title. 


Regular Season Rushing Yards 

Jonathan Taylor (currently +500)
Indianapolis' Jonathan Taylor's rushing title in 2021 was no doubt helped by the injury to Tennessee's Derrick Henry, but he's the favorite to repeat in 2022 against a healthy Henry. It is worth noting that Taylor's 5½ yards per carry is better than Henry's figure during his two rushing-title seasons.

Derrick Henry (+500)
Speaking of King Henry and his 1,540 yards in 2019 and his 2,027 yards in 2020. He was denied a chance to go for 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons due to a broken foot. He's now healthy, and with A.J. Brown gone from the Titans, he will be leaned on even more this season.

Dalvin Cook (+800)
Minnesota's Dalvin Cook is a special back, but before the preseason, this is really a two-man race between Taylor and Henry. When Cook rushed for a career-best 1,557 yards in 2020, he was still nearly 500 yards behind Henry. Cook finished 652 yards behind Taylor last season.

Nick Chubb (+800)
As good as Taylor was in yards/carry in 2021, Cleveland's Nick Chubb was actually better. He was also better than Henry in 2020. The problem with betting on Chubb to win the rushing title is his usage with the Browns, and the sharing of carries with Kareem Hunt.

Regular Season Receiving Yards 

Cooper Kupp (currently +800)
Glancing at the L.A. Rams' Cooper Kupp's numbers from last season, he can't repeat them, right? His 1,947 yards are the second best of all-time. Taking a closer look, why can't he? The team's offense is still great, and Kupp lapped the field in 2021, winning by more than 300 yards.

Justin Jefferson (+800)
The man Kupp beat in 2021 was Minnesota's Justin Jefferson, who finished with 1,616 yards. That would have won the title in 2020, as well as 2016 and 2017. Jefferson is entering just his third season, and this award is something he's eventually going to win.

Travis Kelce (+1000)
Kelse's previous three seasons resulted in 103, 97 and 105 receptions, respectively, so last season's total of "only" 92 catches may have disappointed some. However, the Kansas City tight end finished with a sixth consecutive 1,000-yard plus season (1,125), and nine touchdowns. If there's a more in-sync tandem than he and Mahomes, we're hard-pressed to find it. 

Ja'Marr Chase (+1000)
As a rookie, Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase had 1,455 yards receiving. He ended fourth in 2021. That was 55 more yards than Jefferson had as a rookie, and Chase has the advantage of a younger, better quarterback. Look for Chase to make a serious run at the season lead in 2022.

*NFL Prop Odds provided by top-rated online sportsbook, BetUS.