The Rookie of the Year Award race is heating up, and while Jayden Daniels is running away as the leader, a couple of names shouldn’t be ignored. Some of the best bets for Offensive Rookie of the Year are at fairly long odds, and Daniels is already dealing with some injuries. Let’s look at some bets outside the favorite to gain some value.
Note: All lines are from BetMGM and are current as of October 30, 2024. Use this welcome bonus to get into the action.
Best Bets Offensive Rookie of the Year
Caleb Williams – Chicago Bears Quarterback +950
Daniels is only ahead of Williams by 10 passing yards per game, but definitely has the edge on the ground. Both signal callers are leading their teams to improved seasons, but Williams’ odds are 38 times higher than Daniels. There are two ways that this bet makes sense. Either Daniels misses time with injury (he’s addicted to rushing and doesn’t slide often) or Williams bursts onto the scene the rest of the way. In both cases, his +950 odds are a good value for the first overall pick who could lead the Bears to the playoffs.
We’re only halfway through the season, and there’s plenty of time for Williams to catch up and make his Rookie of the Year bets look better.
Brock Bowers – Las Vegas Raiders Tight End +2500
Full transparency, a tight end has never won the award. Even when Kyle Pitts had his 1,000-yard rookie season he received zero votes. But Bowers is doing more than any rookie tight end has ever accomplished, and with Adams gone, he can do even more. He’s on pace to set the rookie receptions record. No, not just for tight ends, but for any position (sorry Puka, that record may only last one year). He currently leads all tight ends in receptions and yards, and to do this as a rookie is worth a sprinkle for some Offensive Rookie of the Year bets.
Malik Nabers – New York Giants Wide Receiver +2500
Nabers is in the top ten in receptions per game, receiving yards per game, and is one of the only reasons to watch the New York Giants offense this season. Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers dominate this award, and there aren’t any running backs in serious consideration in 2024. While Brian Thomas Jr. is having a heck of a campaign in his own right, his odds are priced higher (+2000) and his boom-bust play style doesn’t lend well to a sustained voting push. If Nabers stays healthy, he’ll likely lead all wide receivers in targets, receptions, and receiving yards on his way to a fierce fight for Rookie of the Year honors.
Hail Mary Bet – Drake Maye New England Patriots Quarterback +5000
It’s a quarterback’s world and we’re all just living in it. If Williams and Daniels both disappoint, the door will creak open for Drake Maye in the back half of the season. It’s unlikely, but if the Patriots are feisty on offense and more fun to watch Maye will have a shot.
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