NFL Rookie of the Year Odds Updated

Now that we’ve closed the book on the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, we can see which teams may have improved their prospects for the upcoming season the most, and which rookies are primed to make the biggest impact.

Offensive Rookie of the Year Favorites

Caleb Williams – QB Chicago Bears (+200)

We’ve been waiting two years for the Caleb Williams era to begin in the NFL, and it is now here. Considering the history of quarterbacks in Chicago, Bears fans are understandably excited. The Bears are the only team in NFL history that has never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards or 30 touchdowns. 

All signs point to Williams at some point in his career eclipsing those numbers, and it might be in this, his rookie season. At wide receiver he has D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze (+2200 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year). Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett are his tight ends, and D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert are the running backs.

Unlike many No. 1 overall picks, Williams is not going to the worst team in the league. The Bears have weapons, and Williams has expectations.

Marvin Harrison Jr. – WR Arizona Cardinals (+600)

Even without the presence of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, we’d expect big things from Marvin Harrison Jr. in his rookie season. And that would be true even if he wasn’t named after his Hall of Fame father.

But he does step into a good quarterback situation, and he did grow up learning how to be a pro from one of the best pros in the history of the league. Add that to the obvious talent that Harrison Jr. has, and he is easily the highest-ranked non-quarterback among the 2024 rookies.

Arizona does have a good tight end in Trey McBride. But Harrison Jr. is their best wide receiver, and he will get a huge share of targets all season long.

Jayden Daniels – QB Washington Commanders (+650)

Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are exciting wide receivers, and teaming them with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels should make the Commanders offense palatable in 2024. Last year, they finished 25th in total offense and 25th in points scored.

Brian Robinson is the primary running back, tight end Zach Ertz has been added to the offense, and former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is the new offensive coordinator.

It’s an excellent situation for Daniels to step into as a rookie.

J.J. McCarthy – QB Minnesota Vikings (+800)

Kevin O’Connell is the head coach, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are the wide receivers, and T.J. Hockenson is the tight end. The Minnesota Vikings are the perfect place for a quarterback like J.J. McCarthy, and it’s entirely possible that he is the quarterback with the best rookie season.

The NFC North is now packed with great young quarterbacks, with rookies Williams and McCarthy, and Jordan Love in Green Bay. The Detroit Lions starter Jared Goff is the old man of the bunch at 29.

Other Offensive Rookie Odds

The fifth-shortest odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year belong to New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (+1200). Drake Maye (+1600) is the new quarterback in New England, Xavier Worthy (+1600) is the new fastest wide receiver in the NFL in Kansas City, and Bo Nix (+1600) is Sean Payton’s new quarterback with the Denver Broncos.

Defensive Rookie of the Year Favorites

There is no one in this draft like Will Anderson for the Houston Texans last year. No single dominant defensive player that teams were salivating over. The first defensive player wasn’t picked until No. 15, and that 14-player offensive pick streak is the longest such streak for any draft in history.

Dallas Turner is the favorite at +400. The co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year gives the Minnesota Vikings much-needed pass rushing help. Laiatu Latu (+700) was the most consistent pass rusher in college football last year, and he was that first player taken at No. 15 by the Indianapolis Colts. Quinyon Mitchell (+1000) is one of two highly drafted cornerbacks by the Philadelphia Eagles, Jared Verse (+1100) is going to rush the passer for the Los Angeles Rams, and Chop Robinson (+1300) will be doing the same for the Miami Dolphins.