Odds released for 2024 Offensive Rookie of Year after Round 1 of NFL Draft
The offensive players of the NFL Draft Class of ’24 enjoyed a huge first round. A record 23 heard their names called, with 13 of them quarterbacks or wide receivers.
Who might be the best of them once the NFL completes its season? It’s probably difficult to project. After all, the NFL continues its draft tonight and Saturday. The rookies haven’t even gone through their own mini-camps.
But that doesn’t preclude the oddsmakers with DraftKings from establishing some early lines. Caleb Williams, who topped the draft, is the early favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Or maybe it’ll be Marvin Harrison Jr. Consider that the past two winners were former Buckeyes (Garrett Wilson, C.J. Stroud). So let’s take a look at where things stand in late April.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams: +200
The Bears landed their man in Williams, who analysts have likened to quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Williams was so secure in where he was going that he wore a custom-made dark blue suit to match the Bears team color.
But can Williams pull off the best season? The Bears are building an offense around him, drafting Rome Odunze eight spots later. Plus, weeks before the NFL Draft, Chicago signed veteran receiver Keenan Allen.
Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: +600
Quarterback Kyler Murray certainly was excited about the pick of Harrison at No. 4. There was talk that the Cardinals would trade out of the pick. The GM said he took some calls Thursday night. But instead, Arizona added the best receiver in the NFL Draft.
“I would say this: Marvin has a plan,” Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort told reporters Thursday night. “Marvin has a plan on why he’s been as successful as he is thus far and why we believe he’s going to continue to ascend. Whether it’s the way he takes care of his body, the way he practices, the extra (work) that he does, his plan for improving his skill set, he has a plan. That certainly has helped being around his father, I’m sure.”
Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: +650
Daniels was the second player selected in the NFL Draft. And the Commanders should let him loose, which means his stats might look nice.
“To us, he’s special in every way — on the field, off the field,” Commanders GM Adam Peters said. “I talked to him a couple times I told him kind of what I told you guys the other day. I didn’t really watch a lot of quarterbacks hard during the season, being with the 49ers, and then turned on Jayden for the first time here and I couldn’t believe it. I just couldn’t believe how good he was.”
Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy: +800
The Vikings worked the phones as the NFL Draft started its top 10. Minnesota, knowing the team needed to replace Kirk Cousins, first tried to trade up to No. 3 with the Patriots in order to select Drake Maye. But New England said no. Then the Vikings called the Chargers to ask about a trade for Justin Herbert. That was a no.
Finally, the Vikings swapped picks with the Jets at No. 10 to grab McCarthy, who turned out to be the fifth QB off the board. “What I can tell you is that he is somebody whose skill set is something we’re really excited about,” Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told reporters. “From a talent standpoint, he was as talented as anybody in the draft.”
New York Giants WR Malik Nabers: +900
The Giants also were a team that might’ve gone with a quarterback rather than a receiver. Instead, New York kept Daniel Jones and added to their offensive firepower with Nabers. Some think Nabers might be better than Harrison, but it may be like choosing flavors of ice cream. It’s a personal preference.
Giants GM Joe Schoen said he messaged Jones before the pick to tell him the good news. “Malik was our guy,’’ Schoen said when asked why the Giants picked Nabers rather than a QB like J.J. McCarthy. “He’s the guy we targeted. With the other players on the board, we took Malik Nabers.’’
Next layer of potential rookie stars, post NFL Draft
Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy: +1600
Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix: +1600
New England Patriots QB Drake Maye: +1600
Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze: +1800
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr: +2500
Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers: +2500
San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall: +4000
Carolina Panthers WR Xavier Legette: +4000
Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.: +6000
Once the NFL Draft finishes on Saturday, there will be more names and more odds added to this list. Next up on the odds lists are Texas Longhorns Adonai Mitchell and Jonathon Brooks. They’re at +3500 and +5000, respectively. Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright and Florida State’s Trey Benson sit at +4000 while Georgia’s Ladd McConkey is +4500.
You can check out all the On3 NFL Draft coverage here.