Plenty of players experienced a disappointing season last year. Some missed almost the entire campaign due to severe injuries, while others displayed below-par outings. There are many candidates for the 2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and in this piece, we take a look at odds, favorite, sleepers, and best bet. You can also check out our best NFL picks here.

2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds

 

SELECTION	ODDS
Damar Hamlin	-300
Tua Tagovailoa	+2000
Breece Hall	+2000
Lamar Jackson	+2500
Cooper Kupp	+3000
John Metchie III	+3000
Russell Wilson	+3000
Matthew Stafford	+4000
Jonathan Taylor	+4000
Trey Lance	+5000
T.J. Watt	+5000
Foster Moreau	+5000
Odell Beckham Jr.	+5000
Sam Darnold	+5000

 

2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Favorite

 

Damar Hamlin, Safety, Buffalo Bills (-400)

Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a tackle in Week 17 of the last season’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Thanks to a quick reaction from medical staff, Hamlin was resuscitated on the field and received initial treatment at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Safety later made a full recovery in Buffalo.

Hamlin won the 2023 George Halas Award and is cleared to play football in the upcoming season. He is the biggest 2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Favorite because of his near-death experience and his return to the field the next season. However, I am unsure whether he’ll be a factor in games for the Bills. Hamlin is not even a starter in Buffalo’s secondary, and if he wins the 2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, it will be simply because of humanity and not his performances on the field. With all due respect to Hamlin, who won the biggest game of his life, I was never pathetic, so I’ll avoid betting on him. Certainly not an option at these unattractive odds.

2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Sleepers

 

Breece Hall, Running Back, New York Jets (+2000)

Before his season-ending injury in Week 7 against the Denver Nuggets, Hall was the Jets’ best offensive player. The rookie sustained an ACL injury and missed the rest of the season. Even in that game at Mile High, Hall scored a rushing touchdown, the fourth consecutive game in which he found the end zone.

He collected 463 rushing (averaging 5.8 yards per carry) and 218 receiving yards before injury. Hall is making excellent progress in recovery and is expected to make a full recovery. The RB out of Iowa State is listed as a starter on the new-looking Jets’ offense, and if he avoids injuries this time out, Hall could have a great season. I am backing Hall to record 1,000+ rushing yards, and he’s one of the 2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Sleepers.

Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens (+2500)

For the second straight season, Lamar Jackson missed five games. After throwing for 13 interceptions in 12 games in 2021, he cut that number to seven picks in 2022. However, his passing yard numbers dropped from 2,882 to 2,242. Jackson recorded just 33 passing touchdowns in two years, and he must bounce back in the 2023-24 campaign if the Ravens want to be relevant again.

Baltimore’s front office made key moves in the off-season to strengthen the team’s offense. They were particularly focused on the receiving corps. The Ravens selected WR Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, while they also signed Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor. All of them should help Jackson, who, honestly, never was among the best quarterbacks when it comes to passing. He shouldn’t have problems running the ball, though.

Cooper Kupp, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams (+3000)

Kupp played only nine games in 2022 because of an ankle injury he suffered against Arizona in November. He registered 75 receptions for 812 yards and six touchdowns and undoubtedly would get to 1,300+ yards without problems. Following a historic 2021 campaign, in which he had 1,947 yards and 16 TDs as the Rams won Super Bowl, Kupp will likely have another strong campaign if he stays healthy.

Kupp’s connection with quarterback Matthew Stafford, who also missed almost half of the season last year due to an injury, is one of the best between QB and WR in the league. Even if Stafford is forced to miss time again, the Rams now have a talented QB out of Georgia – Stetson Bennett, who would be a solid option as a starting signal caller.

Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams (+4000)

Stafford experienced the best season of his career in 2021 when the Rams won the title. He threw 4,886 yards for 41 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. The former Detroit Lion vanished into thin air in 2022, just like his entire team. In Stafford’s defense, he did carry a nagging elbow injury and then had to miss the second part of the season with a spinal cord contusion.

At the same time, his primary offensive weapon, Copper Kupp, also sustained a season-ending injury, so the Rams’ headlong fall had sense. Availability and a clean bill of health for each player are essential for the Rams, so if Stafford plays every game, he’ll get an opportunity to win the 2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Best Bet

 

Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Denver Broncos (+3000)

It can be any worse for Russell Wilson, who had a forgettable first season with the Denver Broncos in 2022. Wilson had the lowest Passer (84.4) and Quarterback ratings (36.7) in his career as he threw 3,524 yards for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Broncos’ problem wasn’t only Wilson. The offensive line was weak, new head coach (Nathaniel Hackett) was not a good option for the job, so the team’s hierarchy decided to change personnel this off-season. I believe Sean Payton can help Wilson to return to his usual self and even guide the Broncos to the playoffs. These two can transform Denver’s league-worst offense (16.9 PPG), and I am backing Wilsons to have 4,000+ passing yards and 30+ touchdowns. He is my 2023-24 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Best Bet.