2024-25 NFL Rookie of The Year Odds and Predictions

Breathe easy, folks. Football season is almost here. Soon, you can spend your weekends confined entirely to your couch. Tell your family you’ll see ’em in February. Trust me, they’ll understand.

While the NFL regular season won’t get underway until the beginning of September, it’s never too early to bet on America’s real pastime. NFL betting sites have a slew of odds and props already posted and ready for your perusal. That includes Rookie of the Year odds for both offensive and defensive players.

Last year’s rookie class was a special one, and we’ve got another exciting crop of young talent set to enter the league in 2024. Who will win Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year this season? Let’s dive right into the latest odds.

2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Caleb Williams (+135)

Leading the pack with the shortest odds is Caleb Williams. The former Heisman Trophy winner is expected to make an immediate impact in the NFL. There wasn’t much drama when the Bears landed the top pick in this year’s draft thanks to last year’s trade with the Carolina Panthers. Everyone knew they were going to take Williams, and they did.

Williams is expected to start under center in Week 1 for Chicago. While more and more top picks have earned the starting QB job out of camp in recent years, that isn’t always the case. In fact, many of Williams’ fellow rookie quarterbacks are expected to begin the season lower on the depth chart. That’ll give the Bears’ new franchise centerpiece an edge on the field when it comes to winning OROY.

While it’s been a while since the Bears had a star QB, Chicago has done a fine job of surrounding Williams with ample talent this offseason. Newcomers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze will instantly give Williams a couple of high-upside playmakers, while ex-Eagle D’Andre Swift brings versatility to the running back position. This year’s Chicago offense is considerably more talented on paper than any team Justin Fields had at his disposal.

In college, Williams did a terrific job of putting impressive numbers on the board without turning the ball over. Across 2 seasons as the starter Southern Cal, the 22-year-old totaled 8,170 passing yards with 72 touchdown passes compared to just 10 interceptions. If he can avoid turnovers at the NFL level while helping the Bears improve upon last season’s 7-10 record, he’ll have a fairly clear-cut Offensive Rookie of the Year case.

Jayden Daniels (+550)

Jayden Daniels comes in with the second-shortest odds. A dynamic quarterback with a strong arm and impressive mobility, Daniels has the potential to be a game-changer. Daniels won the Heisman Trophy last season at LSU after accounting for a whopping 50 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. Daniels also threw just 4 interceptions on 327 attempts while totaling nearly 4,000 yards through the air.

Like the Bears, the Commanders haven’t exactly produced many star quarterbacks over the past couple of decades. The last time a young QB generated this much excitement in DC was Robert Griffin III just over a decade ago. RGIII’s star burned bright for a couple of years before injuries ultimately derailed what was a very promising career.

Daniels isn’t quite as reliant on his rushing ability as Griffin was, though we’re still talking about a guy who amassed more than 1,100 rushing yards last season as a senior for the Fightin’ Tigers. Daniels also has a bigger physical build than Griffin did, so here’s hoping his body can hold up to the rigors of the NFL game.

While Williams has a number of excellent playmakers surrounding him, the same can’t really be said of Daniels in Washington. Terry McLaurin has been Mr. Reliable in this offense for the past half-decade, but nobody is confusing Scary Terry for Justin Jefferson or anything. Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, and Dyami Brown will be fighting for targets as a part of an extremely inexperienced receiving corps.

Austin Ekeler could bring some stability after a standout career with the Chargers, but he sure didn’t look like he had much gas left in the tank last season. If the Commanders can’t lead Ekeler to the fountain of youth, it’s easy to see how this offense might struggle to put points on the board.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (+650)

Wide receivers used to face a steep learning curve when leaving college for the NFL, but that hasn’t been quite as pronounced in recent years. We’ve seen quite a few receivers establish themselves as top playmakers as rookies, and the Cardinals are hoping Marvin Harrison Jr. will follow a similar trajectory.

With elite route-running skills, reliable hands, and the ability to make big plays, Harrison Jr. should emerge as Kyler Murray’s top target from day one. His pedigree and college performance at Ohio State suggest he’s ready to make an immediate impact in the NFL.

2 of the last NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year winners – Ja’Marr Chase in 2021 and Garrett Wilson in 2022 – are wide receivers. However, the last WR to take home the trophy before Chase was Odell Beckham Jr. way back in 2014. With the way the NFL has transformed into a more pass-happy game, however, it’s easy to see why receivers are suddenly putting up monster numbers early in their careers.

MHJ won’t be the only playmaker in this Arizona offense, either. Kyler Murray is over a year removed from an ACL injury, so the Cardinals are hoping he’ll be back to full strength after struggling a bit last season. Trey McBride is one of the league’s more unheralded young tight ends, while James Conner and rookie Trey Burton give the Cardinals a potentially dynamic rushing attack. Marquise Brown is now in Kansas City, so Harrison will likely step into an immediate role as Kyler’s WR1.

Bo Nix (+1600)

Bo Nix presents an interesting case with his +1600 Rookie of the Year odds. As a quarterback, his experience and poise in the pocket could help him adjust quickly to the NFL. Nix has shown flashes of brilliance, and if he can maintain consistency, he could be a dark horse in the OROY race.

Nix was a rather surprising selection by the Broncos with the 12th overall pick in April’s draft. Denver has been struggling to fill the QB position ever since Peyton Manning retired, with luminaries like Drew Lock and Russell Wilson having tried and failed to hold down the position ever since. Nix was drafted well ahead of where most mock drafts had him pegged to go, but QBs came at a premium in this class.

The question is whether Nix will start in Week 1 or have to wait his turn. I think his chances of starting are decent considering Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson are the only other QBs on the roster. Stidham is probably a “safe” choice if Sean Payton is nervous about throwing a rookie into the fire too early, but it’s almost surely just a matter of time until Nix gets a chance. There’s a reason Stidham hasn’t played more than 5 games in a season since entering the league in 2019.

I picked the Broncos as a value bet to finish the season with the worst record in the NFL. So, it goes without saying that I’m not exactly bullish on the talent here. Marvin Mims Jr. and Greg Dulcich are potentially promising pieces, while we’ll see what Javonte Williams can do now that he’s over a year removed from a torn ACL. Still, it’s hard to get too excited about a team once again set to trot Courtland Sutton out there as the presumptive WR1.

Malik Nabers (+1400)

Malik Nabers, a talented wide receiver, has shown his ability to make explosive plays. His speed and agility make him a deep threat, and his ability to gain yards after the catch could be invaluable.

Nabers was the second receiver off the board behind Harrison Jr. in this year’s class. Unfortunately, he landed in New York with the Giants. This offense has been sorely lacking playmakers at the receiver position since the early days of Odell Beckham Jr. Nabers – who was Daniels’ top target at LSU last season – looks like a natural successor. We’ve seen countless LSU receivers dominate at the NFL level in recent years, so there’s precedent here.

The issue is the offense. Nabers will have Daniel Jones throwing him the football, and the Giants lost Saquon Barkley in free agency this offseason. New York is going to have a very hard time running the ball with much success, which will naturally make it even more difficult to put pressure on opposing defenses through the air. Jones struggled considerably last season before going down with a season-ending injury. He’s also never topped 3,300 passing yards in his career, which is almost unheard of given the pass-heavy nature of most NFL offenses.

J.J. McCarthy (+2000)

J.J. McCarthy’s odds suggest he’s a bit of a long shot, as he’s another first-year QB facing an uphill climb when it comes to playing time. McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in the most recent draft, and he arrived in Minnesota shortly after Kirk Cousins left for greener pastures in Atlanta.

McCarthy doesn’t have the inside track to starting under center in Week 1, however. The prevailing belief out of training camp is that veteran Sam Darnold will get the first crack at the regular-season snaps, which will leave McCarthy holding the clipboard as the backup for a yet-to-be-determined amount of time.

As is the case with Nix, I do think it’s likely we see McCarthy get a shot at some point this season. Unlike Nix, however, McCarthy has some legitimate weaponry at his disposal. The Michigan product will be throwing the ball to arguably the game’s best receiver in Justin Jefferson. Jordan Addison was one of the league’s better rookie receivers a season ago, while T.J. Hockenson is a top-5 pass-catching tight end.

This offense is dangerous if McCarthy can live up to his potential. The jury is out on that, of course, especially considering McCarthy was a divisive prospect to begin with coming out of college. The Wolverines didn’t win the National Championship last season thanks to McCarthy’s prowess in the passing game, so it may take him some time to adjust to the NFL level once he does finally get the chance to hit the field.

Drake Maye (+2500), Keon Coleman (+2500), and Xavier Worthy (+2500)

Drake Maye, Keon Coleman, and Xavier Worthy offer intriguing value at the same +2500 odds. Maye is a quarterback, while Coleman and Worthy are wide receivers All 3 enter the league with plenty of hype.

Maye became the third player and QB off the board when he landed with the Patriots in April’s draft. Mac Jones didn’t cut it as the ultimate successor to Tom Brady, so the Pats are hoping Maye will be the one to fill the void. He’ll be working under a new head coach in Jerod Mayo, and this offense seems to have a long way to go in general.

Rhamondre Stevenson is one of the NFL’s more underrated running backs, but Maye has a slew of unproven receivers to throw to. Kendrick Bourne is probably the most established target he’ll have, though fellow rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker will have a chance to play their way into bigger roles.

Coleman, meanwhile, steps into a much more favorable position with the Bills. Buffalo lost its top 2 receivers this offseason in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, so there are snaps up for grabs here. Coleman is a big target at 6’4″, and you can bet he’ll be on Josh Allen’s radar in red zone opportunities.

He should also get the chance to play meaningful snaps right away with Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel being the only other established receivers on Buffalo’s roster. Frankly, it’s easy to see how Coleman may become Allen’s favorite target before too long, so I’m a fan of taking a flier on the ex-Seminole’s +2500 OROY odds.

Worthy is a speedster out of Texas, and he’ll be joining a Chiefs offense that already boasts an embarrassment of offensive riches. Travis Kelce will likely remain Patrick Mahomes’ first target, but Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Marquise Brown may form the best receiving trio Mahomes has ever had since coming into the NFL.

The question is whether Worthy will see the ball enough to put up meaningful numbers. Harrison, Nabers, and Coleman have clearer paths to playing time, and Worthy also has the challenge of having to add some beef to his waify 5’11”, 165-pound frame.

Between the +2500 options, Coleman is clearly the best play.

Ladd McConkey (+3500)

Ladd McConkey is a wide receiver who might not be the flashiest pick, but his reliability and route-running could make him a favorite target of Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. If McConkey can carve out a significant role in his team’s offense, he could provide great value for those betting on long shots.

Carving out that role shouldn’t take too much given the Bolts’ lack of receivers. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are gone, which means Herbert will be throwing to McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and DJ Chark. That’s not exactly a murderer’s row, especially given Johnston’s well-documented struggles as a rookie last season.

I’d expect McConkey to play a Hunter Renfroe-esque role for the Chargers right away. While that could make him an appealing DFS option on occasion as a rookie, I’m not sure he’ll see the volume necessary to contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Brock Bowers (+4000) and Rome Odunze (+4500)

Brock Bowers and Rome Odunze round out the list as the longest shots. Bowers, a tight end, and Odunze, a wide receiver, will need exceptional rookie seasons to compete for the OROY.

Bowers – who was McConkey’s teammate at Georgia – has been a productive college tight end for years. He has the size to play the position well at 6’4″ and 230 pounds, and he scored a total of 26 touchdowns across 3 seasons in Athens before declaring for the draft.

Bowers became the first tight end off the board when the Raiders called his name with the 13th pick back in April. He figures to supplant second-year TE Michael Mayer immediately, though I have some questions about this offense. Journeyman Gardner Minshew appears primed to be Las Vegas’ QB1 this season, and Davante Adams is still going to command the majority of the targets in the passing attack.

Odunze’s +4500 odds are a bit more interesting. He’ll be teaming up with Caleb Williams in Chicago as a part of what may be one of the NFL’s most improved offenses. The issue is whether he’ll be able to generate enough volume with target machine Keenan Allen now in town and running routes next to him.

While I do think Odunze is going to have a terrific pro career, I think he’s a major reach to win OROY at +4500.

Who Will Win Offensive Rookie of the Year?

Given the current odds and analyzing each player’s potential, Caleb Williams appears to be the safest bet for the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. His skill set and the high likelihood of him being a starting quarterback from day one make him a very obvious leading candidate.

Williams is the safest bet, and the +135 odds still offer some upside. If you’re looking for a little more high-upside value, I like Marvin Harrison Jr. (+650) and Keon Coleman (+2500).

Best Bet: Caleb Williams (+135)

2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Dallas Turner (+350)

While this year’s class of offensive rookies is decorated, the group of defenders leaves something to be desired. The first 14 players off the board in this year’s class play offense, while Laiatu Latu became the first defensive player to be taken when he went 15th to the Colts.

However, Dallas Turner – not Latu – is leading the race with the shortest odds for the Defensive Rookie of the Year at +350. As an explosive edge rusher, Turner has shown incredible potential with his speed and power off the line.

His ability to disrupt opposing offenses and get to the quarterback makes him a prime candidate for this award. Turner was the 17th overall pick out of Alabama to the Minnesota Vikings. He’ll presumably replace star edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who was traded to the Texans just before the draft.

Alabama has produced a steady stream of NFL defensive stars over the past decade or so, and Turner figures to be no exception. He was a consensus All-American last season and earned SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year honors along with Mississippi State’s Nathaniel Watson a season ago.

Laiatu Latu (+550)

Coming in with the second-best odds, Laiatu Latu is another dynamic edge rusher expected to make waves in the NFL. Latu’s athleticism and versatility allow him to excel in various defensive schemes. His knack for making big plays in critical moments could earn him significant recognition and put him in strong contention for the DROY.

Latu played his final 2 collegiate seasons at UCLA after starting his career at Washington. He won the Lombardi Award and Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year awards last season in addition to being a consensus All-American.

Latu has drawn rave reviews early in Colts camp. They’ll need the rookie to play a huge role, as defensive end Sam Ebukam went down with a season-ending Achilles injury during a practice over the weekend. Indianapolis is still well-stocked in the front-7, so I like Latu’s chances of making an impact right away.

Byron Murphy II (+1000)

Byron Murphy II, a talented defensive tackle, has longer odds at +1000 but shouldn’t be overlooked. Not to be confused with the Vikings corner of the same name, Murphy figures to slot into the interior of the Seahawks‘ defensive line right away.

Murphy was the second defender off the board after Latu with the No. 16 overall pick in April.

The Seahawks desperately need a gap-filling tackle capable of stifling the opponents’ rushing attack, and we have seen DTs win this award on occasion over the years. Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh are among the former DROY winners to have played defensive tackle.

Jared Verse (+1100)

Jared Verse is an intriguing prospect. As an edge rusher, Verse has demonstrated a high motor and the ability to consistently pressure quarterbacks.

The Rams grabbed Verse with the 19th pick in the most recent draft after his standout career at Florida State. He was a first-team All-American in both of his seasons in Tallahassee after transferring from Albany. Verse racked up 18 sacks over 2 seasons with the Seminoles, and the Rams are hoping he’ll bring a much-needed pass-rushing precedence to LA.

This defense lost Aaron Donald to retirement this offseason, so they’re desperately in need of a playmaker.

Terrion Arnold (+1200) and Quinyon Mitchell (+1200)

Both Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell offer significant value at +1200 odds. Arnold, a versatile defensive back, has the ability to play multiple positions in the secondary, which could make him invaluable to any defense.

Mitchell, a cornerback, flashed tremendous ball skills during his college days. Their success will largely depend on their adaptability and the defensive schemes they enter in the NFL.

Arnold joins what should be a terrific Lions defense this season after a standout college career of his own at Alabama. Mitchell, meanwhile, figures to compete for a starting gig with the Eagles after flying under the radar at Toledo. Mitchell was the 22nd pick in the draft, while Arnold was No. 24.

Of the two, I prefer Arnold. You can’t typically go wrong backing Alabama players to turn into stars at the next level, and this Lions defense is going to be ferocious.

Who Will Win Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Given the current odds, it’s easy to see why Turner is the favorite at +350. He’s going to have the chance to contribute to the Vikings’ defense in place of Hunter right away, though I think Latu is going overlooked.

If Latu can use his athleticism to his advantage and give the Colts a terrifying presence off the edge, he could give Turner a run for his money. Given the discrepancy in the odds, I’ll gladly take the extra upside I can get with Latu at +550 compared to Turner at +350.

Best Bet: Laiatu Latu (+550)