Last season saw C.J. Stroud win NFL Rookie of the Year on the offensive side of the ball. Teammate Will Anderson earned the NFL Rookie of the Year award on the other side of the ball.
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 the other side of the ball, we’re intrigued to see how things play out. Remember, the top-14 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft were offensive players. This makes the DROY race interesting.
Without further ado, let’s check in on our top NFL Rookie of the Year candidates heading into Week 1.
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2024 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates (offense)
Honorable mention
- Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
- Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
- Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
5. Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
Nix excelled big time in his preseason debut, outplaying veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson in the process. That was pretty much enough for Nix to earn Denver’s starting gig heading into Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. The experienced college starter also made history by being named team captain. Head coach Sean Payton has a lot of faith in him. The only question is surrounding talent on offense. That could hold Nix back in the OROY race.
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4. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
Harrison Jr. immediately takes over as Kyler Murray’s favorite target with the Arizona Cardinals. He had an absolutely brilliant three-year run at Ohio State, and is considered a generational young pass-catcher. Arizona also lost the likes of Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore during the offseason. It would not be a surprise if Harrison Jr. went for well over 1,000 yards as a rookie.
3. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Much like Harrison Jr., Nabers will be the Giants’ No. 1 receiver as a rookie. Though, a lot of his ability to perform will be based on whether quarterback Daniel Jones turns things around. What we do know is that he’s likely to follow in the footsteps of fellow former LSU star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Last season for the Tigers, Nabers recorded 89 receptions for 1,569 yards. That seems pretty good. He has an opportunity to get off to a good start Week 1 against a questionable Minnesota Vikings defense.
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2. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
The hope in Washtington is that new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury gets the most out of the reigning Heisman winner. It should benefit Daniels to have someone of his ilk calling plays. The former LSU star quarterback also has a ton of talent to work with, including wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
1. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
Without a doubt, Williams is our favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year. A generational quarterback prospect out of USC, he already showed an ability to be electric during the preseason. It also doesn’t hurt that Williams is surrounded by a ton of great skill-position options in Chicago. That includes Pro Bowl wide receivers D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. Look for him to have a brilliant rookie campaign.
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2024 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates (defense)
Honorable mention
- Chop Robinson, EDGE, Miami Dolphins
- Byron Murphy, DT, Seattle Seahawks
- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, New Orleans Saints
- Renardo Green, CB, San Francisco 49ers
5. Terrion Arnold, CB, Detroit Lions
This rookie first-round pick is already listed as one of Detroit’s starters at cornerback opposite the recently-acquired Carlton Davis. For good reason. The Lions stuggled in this area a season ago. Arnold also proved his chops against elite-level college competition with the Crimson Tide. That included recording 12 passes defended and five interceptions.
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4. Jared Verse, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams
Verse is already listed as a starter for a Rams team that needs more pass-rush help following the retirement of the great Aaron Donald. They are relying on the former Florida State star to make an immediate impact. The good news? He fits the bill. Over the course of his final two seasons with the Seminoles, Verse recorded a combined 29.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks.
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3. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
It’s just a matter of time before the likes of Darius Slay and James Bradberry regress. In fact, we saw some of that late last season. Hence, why Philadelphia exhausted a first-round pick on this Toledo product. He was sensational back in 2022, recording 19 passes defended and five interceptions. Opposing quaterbacks avoided him last year. It’s a clear indication of Mitchell’s shutdown capabilities at cornerback.
2. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts
What an absolutely awesome story this is. Latu nearly saw his career come to an end as a member of the Washington Huskies back in 2019 due to a neck injury. He ultimately made his way back on to the field with the UCLA Bruins in 2022. The rest was history. Latu recorded a combined 24 sacks in his final two seasons with UCLA. The Colts are going to be relying on him big time. It makes him a top NFL Rookie of the Year candidate.
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1. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota got an absolute steal in Turner by trading up to the 17th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Most figured that the former Alabama star was going to be a top-10 pick. That’s how good he is out on the edge (14.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks last season). With Danielle Hunter now on the Houston Texans, look for Turner to make an immediate impact in Minneapolis. That’s for sure.
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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 9.
Who will emerge as the early ROTY candidates during the 2024 NFL season?