The NFL smashed the record for most offensive players picked in the first round when 23 players on that side of the ball were taken Thursday night.
The previous record was 19 set three different times, the last in 2009.
Not many people saw six quarterbacks being taken in the first round (tying a record), much less six in the first 12 picks (setting a record).
It’s a pool of players that gives us a lot of options for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year futures betting.
Let’s take a look at the odds that were released at the conclusion of the first round, as well as the top contenders for the award.
2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds
| Player | Position | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Williams | QB | Bears | +200 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | Cardinals | +600 |
| Malik Nabers | WR | Giants | +1000 |
| J.J. McCarthy | QB | Vikings | +1000 |
| Jayden Daniels | QB | Commanders | +1400 |
| Rome Odunze | WR | Bears | +1600 |
| Xavier Worthy | WR | Chiefs | +1600 |
| Brian Thomas Jr. | WR | Panthers | +2500 |
| Drake Maye | QB | Patriots | +2500 |
| Bo Nix | QB | Broncos | +3000 |
| Brock Bowers | TE | Raiders | +4000 |
The top OROY contenders
A case for Caleb Williams
As expected, Caleb Williams, the first overall pick, is the favorite in this group, and he’d be my pick to win the award today.
With an elite wide receiver trio featuring DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and fellow rookie Rome Odunze, the Bears’ offense is loaded and set up for Williams to produce immediately.
Williams is as low as 50/1 to win NFL MVP award, the lowest of any rookie in the last 15 years.
However, I’m not a fan of tying up money in a 2-1 future with more than four months until the start of the NFL season.
A case for Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr. should produce video-game numbers immediately in the Cardinals’ offense as Kyler Murray’s WR1.
While he might see a high rate of double teams, he was able to beat them consistently at Ohio State.
He’s one of the most pro-ready wideouts in recent memory and should produce at an elite level right off the jump.
I can’t talk you out of betting him in this market at +600, an implied 14% probability.
A case for Jayden Daniels
My favorite bet on the board is Jayden Daniels at 14-1.
The No. 2 pick in the draft, Daniels won the Heisman trophy at LSU last season with nearly 5,000 combined passing and rushing yards and 50 total touchdowns.
Betting on the NFL?
He is a tremendous fit for the offense Kliff Kingsbury wants to run in Washington, and he’ll be working with two talented wide receivers in Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
Daniels’ odds are as low as +650 on other sportsbooks, so I’d act fast if you have access to FanDuel.Â
