The 5 Frontrunners to Win Offensive Rookie of the Year | Week 7

Bo Nix (QB, DEN)

Oct 6, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The NFL’s 2024 regular season is nearing a midway point, and the chase for rookie awards, among others, is taking shape.

The 5 Frontrunners to Win Offensive Rookie of the Year | Week 7

Overall in 2024, the Chiefs are favored to win the Super Bowl (+500), which would make that franchise the first in NFL history to win a Super Bowl thrice in a row. The undefeated Vikings are in seventh place per Super Bowl odds at +1100.

And then there are the rookies. Several other awards, of course, are up for grabs, and heading into Week 7, these are the league’s frontrunners to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY), according to sportsbooks, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = leader to win OROY)

5. Bo Nix (QB)

Oct 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images.

Team: Denver Broncos
Odds to Win OROY: +5000
2024 PFF Score to Date: 60.5

Nix has played exactly like a rookie quarterback in the NFL — mind-numbingly bad at times but with enough markers to show improvement flashes.

He’s on pace for just over 3,000 passing yards, 27 total touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Some prominent draft pundits still insist that he won’t amount to much — and perhaps that’s true — but his rookie pace is undeniable. His first season is serviceable at worst.

The nation will see Nix under the bright lights of primetime on Thursday Night Football when his team travels to New Orleans for a date with his head coach’s former team.

4. Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)

offensive rookie of the year

Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) against the Washington Commanders at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Odds to Win OROY: +3000
2024 PFF Score to Date: 76.9

Harrison suffered a concussion last weekend and may or may not play this Monday night at home versus the Los Angeles Chargers. His team is 2-4, desperately needing a win to stay in the NFC’s Wildcard hunt.

He’s only banking about 50 receiving yards per game, but his 11-touchdown pace is encouraging. The man knows how to hit paydirt — like his father.

3. Malik Nabers (WR)

Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) celebrates after catching a touchdown during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images.

Team: New York Giants
Odds to Win OROY: +1200
2024 PFF Score to Date: 80.2

The Giants’ medical staff cleared Nabers to return from concussion protocol on Thursday, music to Giants fans’ ears, as well as Daniel Jones.

Nabers played magnificently before his concussion a few weeks ago and hasn’t fallen out of the OROY race. He has an uphill battle because of the next two guys, but a few monster games could change the discussion.

Beyond the shadow of a doubt, Nabers is the real deal. Nothing will deter his Pro Bowl ascension.

2. Caleb Williams (QB)

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears quarterback C. Williams (18) celebrates after a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Team: Chicago Bears
Odds to Win OROY: +160
2024 PFF Score to Date: 63.1

Here’s the Caleb Williams statistic to know:

Caleb Williams,
EPA+CPOE,
NFL Ranking:

Week 1-4: 28th
Week 5-6: 1st

The man started the season miserably and flipped a switch two weeks ago. It’s remarkable.

1. Jayden Daniels (QB)

Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback J. Daniels (5) stands on the sidelines during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.

Team: Washington Commanders
Odds to Win OROY: -200
2024 PFF Score to Date: 83.3

Daniels ranks fifth per oddsmakers right now in the MVP race — never mind OROY. He only trails Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and C.J. Stroud.

His rookie trajectory suggests just under 4,000 passing yards, 912 rushing yards, 34 total touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.

Daniels it then NFL’s OROY — hands down. It isn’t close.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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