It’s that time of year again. Football season is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to discuss the top five NFL OROTY (Offensive Rookie of the Year) candidates for the 2024 season.
1. CALEB WILLIAMS – CHICAGO BEARS QB
I feel like the most obvious top choice for the award is Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. While the award is more sporadic than the MVP, the quarterback position has taken home the trophy in three of the last five seasons (C.J. Stroud in 2023, Justin Herbert in 2020 and Kyler Murray in 2019).
Williams is set up to have first-year success in the Windy City. He has a plethora of talent around him, including DJ Moore, six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen, rookie Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and D’Andre Swift.
Like most rookies, the 2024 first overall pick has only experienced a handful of snaps during the preseason, but the reps have matched his ultra hype. If the Bears are in playoff contention come late December, Williams will be a major part of the team’s success.
2. MARVIN HARRISON JR. – ARIZONA CARDINALS WR
Another 2024 OROTY candidate is Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.. The Arizona Cardinals selected Harrison Jr. fourth overall, and he has immediately become the team’s top target. Recency bias will also tell you that his position bodes well. The wide receiver position — Ja’Marr Chase and Garrett Wilson — has hoisted the trophy twice in the last three seasons.
Murray has returned as the Cardinals’ quarterback and will target Harrison Jr. early and often. It’s a little more challenging for him, because the NFL world saw what Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua did last season, and Stroud still won the award.
Still, there’s a chance Harrison Jr. gets even more production and steals the award from a quarterback.
3. JAYDEN DANIELS – WASHINGTON COMMANDERS QB
The 2024 NFL Draft’s second overall pick is set up to be one of the top five OROTY candidates. Daniels is a dynamic runner and passer, who won the Heisman Award after his season with the LSU Tigers.
He enters the season as the team’s starting quarterback alongside first-year Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.
Daniels offers a unique athletic skill set, and if he’s able to quickly translate those abilities onto the field, he could improve the Commanders’ below-average offensive production over the past couple seasons.
4. BO NIX — DENVER BRONCOS QB
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has declared Bo Nix the week-one starting quarterback. The former Auburn and Oregon quarterback has shined in his preseason snaps.
Nix has completed 23 of his 33 pass attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, he’s led the Broncos to six scoring drives in his limited preseason snaps. His performances were enough for Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton to name him the starting quarterback over former second overall pick Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.
An older rookie than most, Nix, 24, has plenty of experience. He started 61 games with Auburn and Oregon over his five-year college career.
Nix could be a sneaky choice for the award if his first season in Denver goes well.
5. MALIK NABERS — NEW YORK GIANTS WR
Former LSU WR Malik Nabers is the last top five OROTY candidate.
The New York Giants selected Nabers sixth overall after his outstanding 2023 season alongside Daniels. Similar to Harrison Jr., he was drafted highly and has quickly emerged as the team’s No. 1 wideout.
Nabers’ offensive situation is part of the reason why he falls to No. 5 on this list. While he will be the team’s top receiving threat, QB Daniel Jones is coming off a season-ending ACL injury and struggled on the field before the tear.
If Nabers’ situation was better, he’d be higher on the list, but there’s still an outside chance he becomes the second LSU WR product to win the award since 2021.
Click here for more NFL content.
Follow Fantom Sports on X!
Subscribe to Fantom Sports on YouTube!