Last season saw C.J. Stroud win NFL Rookie of the Year on offense. Teammate Will Anderson earned the NFL Rookie of the Year award on defense.
With the 2024 NFL season here, there are obvious favorites to come away with the hardware. That includes rookie No. 1 pick quarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears. On defense, it’s a much bigger guessing game. After all, the top 14 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft were offensive players. This makes the DROY race very interesting to start with.
Without further ado, let’s check in on our top NFL Rookie of the Year candidates heading into Week 5.
Related: 2024 NFL MVP odds
2024 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates (offense)
Honorable mention
- Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos (LW: 5)
- Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
- Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
- Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
5. Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: Honorable mention)
Now that Rashee Rice is expected to miss an extended amount of time, Xavier Worthy’s chances of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year will only increase. He’s already off to a strong start, recording 154 yards and two touchdowns in four games, but we have a feeling the speedster’s just getting started.
Related: Ranking all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks
4. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears (LW: 4)
The early favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year on offense has admittedly had some growing pains in his first season. Williams is coming off his second NFL win, but he’s also barely completing just over 61% of his passes for a measly YPA of 5.6. He also needs to reduce his turnovers after throwing four interceptions in his first three games. In other words, Williams has some ground to make up.
Related: Weekly NFL expert picks
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals (LW: 3)
Kyler Murray has a new best friend and his name is Marvin Harrison Jr. The Cardinals’ first-round pick drew early criticism for coming up nearly empty in his NFL debut, but he’s been off to the races ever since. MHJ ranks second among all rookies with 243 receiving yards, and his four touchdowns are tied for the NFL lead among all pass-catchers. On pace for a 1,000-yard season, Harrison figures to be a finalist to win OROTY.
Related: Top-selling NFL jerseys 2024: Who has the NFL’s best-selling jersey?
2. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants (LW: 2)
There’s no question who the top target is for the New York Giants. He may be a rookie, but Malik Nabers is already dominating the target share in The Big Apple. It’s worked out well, with Nabers ranking first among all rookies in receiving yards with 386 through four games. It’s early, but so far, Nabers is one of the early favorites to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Read more: NFL Playoff and Super Bowl predictions
1. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders (LW: 1)
As a dual-threat weapon, Jayden Daniels is a favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s off to the best start among his fellow rookie quarterbacks, both through the air and on the ground. If Daniels can continue helping the Commanders get into the win column more often while still putting up impressive stats, there’s no reason why he can’t win Rookie of the Year. Having an 82% completion rate to go along with seven touchdowns and just one interception makes him a heavy favorite.
Related: Super Bowl odds
2024 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates (defense)
Honorable mention
- Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
- Chop Robinson, EDGE, Miami Dolphins
- Terrion Arnold, CB, Detroit Lions
- Marshawn Kneeland, DL, Dallas Cowboys
- Tyler Nubin, S, New York Giants
5. Kamari Lassiter, CB, Houston Texans (LW: 5)
The only second-round pick featured on this list, Kamari Lassiter is receiving early snaps on Houston’s defense, where he’s already been relied upon as a starter. Lassiter has amassed 16 tackles, two pass deflections, and even picked off a pass from Caleb Williams in Houston’s Week 2 win over Chicago. If those ball skills continue to lead to big plays, Lassiter just might have a chance at winning DROTY.
Read more: Worst NFL contracts today
4. Byron Murphy, DT, Seattle Seahawks (LW: 4)
Byron Murphy didn’t record a stat in Seattle’s Week 3 win and he was injured in Week 4, but he made an impact in his first two games. Murphy has compiled six tackles (1 TFL) and half a sack so far, playing 46% of his team’s snaps. The potential for Murphy to rack up double-digit sacks is there, but he’ll need to be more consistent to emerge as a serious threat to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Related: NFL defense rankings 2024
3. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings (LW: 3)
Even though Dallas Turner is stuck behind pass-rushing studs Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, playing in Brian Flores’ defense has allowed the rookie to still see plenty of pass-rush opportunities. While Turner missed Minnesota’s big Week 3 win over Houston, he managed to get his first NFL sack in his regular-season debut by wrestling down Daniel Jones. Turner has five tackles and a sack on the season, where he’s played just 30% of his team’s defensive snaps when healthy.
Related: Latest Minnesota Vikings news and rumors
2. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts (LW: 2)
Laiatu Latu’s opportunity for increased playing time opened up when Samson Ebukam suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during training camp. Latu was always going to see snaps as a rookie, but not this many. He’s been active for 45% of the Colts’ defensive snaps through four games, where Latu has tallied three tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a recovery. Latu has yet to start a game, but he’s already making an impact for Indianapolis.
Related: Updated NFL power rankings
1. Jared Verse, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams (LW: 1)
Aaron Donald’s retirement creates an urgent need for more pass-rush help on the Los Angeles Rams. But Jared Verse is ready to fit the bill. The Florida State edge rusher has started all four games for the Rams, where he’s already tallied 19 tackles (5 TFL), a forced fumble, and a sack. So far, Verse is the early frontrunner to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Related: Latest Los Angeles Rams news and rumors
Past NFL Rookie of the Year winners
- 2023: C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson
- 2022: Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner
- 2021: Ja’Marr Chase, Micah Parsons
- 2020: Justin Herbert, Chase Young
- 2019: Kyler Murray, Nick Bosa
- 2018: Saquon Barkley, Shaquille Leonard
- 2017: Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore
- 2016: Dak Prescott, Joey Bosa
- 2015: Todd Gurley, Marcus Peters
- 2014: Odell Beckham Jr., Aaron Donald
When is the NFL Rookie of the Year announced?
The 2024-25 NFL Rookie of the Year will be announced during the league’s annual awards show on the weekend of the Super Bowl, February 8.
Who will emerge as the early ROTY candidates during the 2024 NFL season?
Related: 2024 NFL offense rankings