There are plenty of rookies who could stand out this coming season and can make a run for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. But who will separate themselves from the pack and who will get ample playing time to put up the numbers needed to take home this award. We’ll take a look at the obvious choices, but also who could surprise the league this coming season.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (+140)
There’s no doubt Caleb Williams is talented as he showed the college world in 2022 winning the Heisman Trophy. But can that college success translate in the NFL? The Bears think so as they selected him first overall and now have dubbed him the starter in 2024. Chicago is giving Williams every opportunity to be successful in his first season overhauling the offense to provide their franchise quarterback with a supporting cast. With DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze, Williams has the weapons to potentially run away with the OROY award.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (+600)
The second overall pick, who won the 2023 Heisman is also slated to be the starter this season. The Commanders traded their 2023 starter Sam Howell, making room to give the keys to Jayden Daniels. He also has quality receivers in Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson and the team added veteran running back Austin Ekeler. What could help Daniels case is his ability to run. He ran for 1,134 yards and 10 TDs last season at LSU and his new OC, Kliff Kingsbury, helped Kyler Murray win this award with Arizona in 2019.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (+650)
He’s considered the most NFL ready player from the draft and could be a generational receiver who could follow his dad into the Hall-of-Fame one day. Marvin Harrison Jr. has the elite combination of pass-catching and route-running abilities, and is a physical specimen standing 6-foot-4. He tore up every secondary in college during his time as a Buckeye, posting two straight seasons of more than 1200 yards and 14 touchdowns. He automatically becomes Kyler Murray’s number one target.
Longshot Value Play
Xavier Worthy +2500
He’s the fastest player ever at an NFL Combine and now will catch balls from the best quarterback on the planet. So why not take a chance on Xavier Worthy. We did see another rookie with the Chiefs have success last season and Rashee Rice was one of Patrick Mahomes favorite targets. And with Rice having issues away from the football field, could Worthy become a bigger target in Kansas City’s offensive scheme? If he does, it may be ‘worthy’ of a wager at these odds.
Recent Trends for OROY
- Four QB’s have won in the last ten year ( CJ Stroud, Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray and Dak Prescott)
- Murray and Cam Newton only first-overall picks to win since 2011
- No Tight End or offensive lineman has ever won the award
- NFC player has won in 13 of last 17 years, but AFC has won the last four (Stroud, Garrett Wilson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Herbert)
Odds NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Caleb Williams +140 Jayden Daniels +600
Marvin Harrison Jr. +650 Bo Nix +1200
Keon Coleman +1200 Malik Nabers +1500
Drake Maye +1800 J.J. McCarthy +1800
Xavier Worthy +2500 Ladd McConkey +2500
Rome Odunze +2800 Brian Thomas Jr. +3300
Jonathon Brooks +3300 Brock Bowers +4000