With December football underway, there will be a tight race for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Just a couple of weeks ago, the award looked like a runaway for Jayden Daniels, but Bo Nix has pushed his way towards the top and could make things interesting in December to decide who takes home the award.
2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds via DraftKings:
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders -220
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos, +180
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders +1000
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears +6000
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals +8000
The Offensive Rookie of the Year Race Is Heating Up
The Rookie of the Year odds have shifted quickly in just two weeks’ time for Daniels, who has been the majority leader for most of the season. Just two weeks ago, Daniels was -1000 to win the award, and after a slow stretch and team losing streak, his odds have come back down to earth, and he has now left the door open for Nix to take the lead.
Daniels’ strong performance last Sunday stopped a losing skid for his team and helped him maintain his lead on the award. Daniels totaled four touchdowns, throwing for three and rushing for one in a 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans. However, on Monday night, Nix showed well on a national stage when his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 41-32 in a back-and-forth showdown. Nix threw for 294 yards and a touchdown.
Slow Start, but Nix Heating Up
After a slow start to the season, Nix has started to round into form. Since week eight, Nix has been third in passing yards in the league, with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. During that six-game span, he is also sixth in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play with 0.202, above players like Daniels, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow.
Nix, like Daniels, has helped keep his team in the playoff race for most of the season. Denver has an 8-5 record and is currently the sixth seed in the AFC playoff race. With games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers left big performances in those matchups could give him the edge over Daniels.
Brock Bowers On Historic Pace
Even though he won’t win the award according to the odds, it has been arguable that Bowers has been the most impressive rookie of the season. Bowers has been among the best players at his position as a rookie tight end. He leads all tight ends with 884 receiving yards and is third overall in receiving yards at any position. He also leads the league in catches with 84 and is on pace to break the NFL record for most catches by a tight end.
Last season, runner-up Puka Nacua broke the rookie record for receptions and reception yards but finished second to quarterback C.J. Stroud. Because multiple rookie quarterbacks are playing well, it will be tough for Bowers to win the award, even though he will be a rookie All-Pro and Pro-Bowler once the season ends.
The Rookie of the Year award will be decided during this stretch run of December. Both Daniels and Nix have their teams in playoff contention, and it helps Daniels that he hit the ground running early, even though Nix is trying to make up that ground now. However, it shakes out, it is safe to say the 2024 NFL quarterback Draft class can be one of the best ever. Aside from Nix and Daniels, Williams and Drake Maye have shown flashes of high-level play even though they aren’t seeing the team success at the moment.
Main Image: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
