Two hundred fifty-seven players heard their name called throughout the three days of the 2024 NFL Draft this weekend. Of those players and those from this year's undrafted free agent class , two of them will be named rookies of the year – one offensive player and one defensive player.
In a draft class loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball – there were seven wide receivers and eight offensive tackles to go with six quarterbacks in the first round – the 2024 rookie class is sure to provide plenty of excitement in year one. However, only one of them will take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.
Here are the opening odds for the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday.
The Chicago Bears made USC QB Caleb Williams the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
It is not a surprise to see the No. 1 overall pick in the draft class atop the odds leaderboard, especially since he's a quarterback. Williams joins a reloaded Bears offense featuring one of the league's best receiving rooms – D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Williams' fellow rookie Rome Odunze – and a dynamic running back in D'Andre Swift.
Given that situation and the former Southern California Trojan's status as such a highly touted prospect, it's even less of a surprise to see Williams as such a heavy favorite just days after Chicago drafted him.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals (+600)
Harrison is the best wide receiver prospect the NFL has seen in years. He was the first non-quarterback off of the board with the No. 4 overall pick and might have gone even higher if not for the quarterback needs of the top three teams in the draft order.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison may well be the greatest athlete in the entire draft class. He'll immediately be the top target for quarterback Kyler Murray in Arizona after Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore's departures in free agency last month.
3. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders (+750)
This year's draft was all about the quarterbacks. Daniels was the second of six quarterbacks taken in the first round when the Commanders selected him with the No. 2 overall pick.
Like Williams, the former LSU Tiger is also set up for success when he gets to Washington. Wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson form a formidable tandem, and Daniels will have veteran running back Austin Ekeler sharing the backfield. If he can put together a rookie season even half as good as his Heisman-winning campaign last season, he'll remain among favorites for the OROY award.
4. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings (+850)
Williams and Daniels were the higher-graded prospects coming out of college, and both landed in excellent roster situations. McCarthy, who helped guide Michigan to a national championship in January, might have landed in the best spot of all.
The chance to throw to an excellent pass-catching corps of wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson are just the beginning. McCarthy will also get to work with certified quarterback whisperer/head coach/offensive play-caller Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota, a coach many analysts believe is perfect for the former Wolverine's pro development.
5. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants (+1100)
In each of the last two draft classes, Nabers likely would have been the top wide receiver available. There are some who would make the argument that he is the best wide receiver prospect in this draft class.
The situation Nabers lands in isn't ideal with quarterback Daniel Jones still under center in New York, but he will immediately get a chance to show off his explosiveness as the Giants' clear-cut WR1. Big Blue hasn't had a receiver eclipse even 800 yards in a season in the five years since Odell Beckham Jr.'s departure. The Giants have a lot of hope Nabers will end that drought.
6. Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (+1600)
7. Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears (+1800)
8. Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots (+2000)
T-9. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (+2500)
T-9. Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos (+2500)
When does the 2024 NFL season start?
The 2024 NFL season will begin with the annual NFL Kickoff game on September 5. As reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs will be the hosts of the game. Their opponent is still to be announced.
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