The 2024-25 NFL Rookie of the Year odds offer good opportunities for gamblers who follow the fresh talent that comes into the league every season. Don’t worry if you don’t belong in that category, because I’m here to help you beat the best NFL betting sites.
In this guide, I analyze the best offensive and defensive rookie prospects entering the NFL this season. I break down the top contenders in the NFL ROY odds, both for defensive and offensive rookie, before sharing my predictions.
NFL Rookie of the Year Odds for 2024-25
The latest NFL Rookie of the Year betting odds allow you to bet on players from both sides of the ball. Here are the current Rookie of the Year odds for the top offensive and defensive players, courtesy of Bovada sportsbook.
Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE | LATEST ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ODDS | PREVIOUS ODDS |
---|---|---|
Caleb Williams | +135 | +135 |
Jayden Daniels | +375 | +500 |
Marvin Harrison Jr. | +550 | +650 |
Bo Nix | +900 | +1200 |
Malik Nabers | +1200 | +1200 |
Keon Coleman | +1400 | +2000 |
Brock Bowers | +1800 | +2000 |
Quarterbacks have an inherent advantage in most end-of-year awards voting. So, it is not surprising that three out of the four top favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year are quarterbacks.
Chicago Bears’ QB Caleb Williams (+135) remains the betting favorite to win the award after opening as the favorite. Currently, Williams has an 42.6% implied chance of winning top offensive rookie honors.
Thanks to a strong preseason, Broncos’ QB Bo Nix’s (+900) odds have jumped to +900 from +1200. Additionally, dynamic QB Jayden Daniels (+375) did himself favors with a good-looking preseason. His price has shortened from +500 to +375 over the last two weeks.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE | LATEST ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ODDS | PREVIOUS ODDS |
---|---|---|
Jared Verse | +350 | +1000 |
Dallas Turner | +360 | +400 |
Laiatu Latu | +360 | +350 |
Terrion Arnold | +1000 | +1200 |
Byron Murphy | +1200 | +1200 |
Quinyon Mitchell | +1400 | +1200 |
Junior Colson | +1400 | +1600 |
NFL football betting sites also have exciting 2024-25 NFL ROY odds for defensive players. There has been significant movement in the NFL Rookie of the Year odds for the top defender.
Jared Verse (+350) of the Los Angeles Rams’ price has skyrocketed after an impressive preseason debut. Verse has moved into the top spot, with a shift of +1000 to +350! The talented pass rusher’s implied chance has risen from 9.1% to 22.2% in an incredible twist in less than a loss.
Previous favorite, Laiatu Latu, no longer has the best odds to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year. However, he is still regarded as a contender at +360. Following the top three favorites, there is a noticeable difference between the rest of the field.
Most of the contenders, including Latu, are pass rushers. The two exceptions are defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell (+1400) and Terrion Arnold (+1000).
Mitchell was the first CB drafted and will be a key part of Philadelphia’s attempt to rebuild its secondary. Arnold, on the other hand, was drafted by the Lions after Detroit traded up to the 24th overall pick.
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2024-25 Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds Changes
The Bears are the featured team on this year’s preseason Hard Knocks, so fans will have plenty of behind-the-scenes insight into OROY front-runner Caleb Williams. Impressive starts from other quarterbacks, including Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix, have shaken up the odds boards recently.
Caleb Williams (+135)
Caleb Williams opened as the +125 favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Williams is still the favorite, but his odds of winning have decreased to +135. He has been impressive so far in preseason and training camp, but so have other rookies.
Williams should remain the favorite throughout the preseason. Living up to the hype that has been building for well over a year will be difficult, though, which will make it challenging for him to win Rookie of the Year.
Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Williams is still the best pick to win OROY. He had a very promising preseason and showcased why the Bears made him the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Caleb. Williams.
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/2YcTQ98uB2
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 17, 2024
Williams showed off his mobility and ability to throw with accuracy on the run, some of the qualities that made him a top selection! The Bears likely have a great one in Williams for a long time.
Jayden Daniels (+375)
One player who has improved their odds lately is Washington Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels. The former LSU quarterback’s NFL Offensive ROY odds have seen a steady increase throughout the summer.
In July, Daniels had a price of +600, which fell to +500 earlier this month. Now, the Commanders’ signal caller is down to +375 after a productive preseason campaign.
Jayden Daniels first NFL completion: pic.twitter.com/wnswqmSb4j
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 10, 2024
He has since moved ahead of the Cardinals’ WR Marvin Harrison Jr. for the second-best NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds.
Daniels certainly has the skills to put together a great rookie season. The biggest question is whether the thin quarterback can stay healthy for the whole season.
If he does, then Daniels could steal the award from Williams, especially if the Bears fail to live up to the high expectations some fans and media members have.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (+550)
Despite being passed by Daniels at Bovada, WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is still one of the top contenders to win OROY in 2024-25. The talented pass-catcher is coming off a storied career at Ohio State, and figures to make an impact immediately in the NFL.
.@MarvHarrisonJr has entered the chat 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/8eNp5tQ3Wh
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 15, 2024
He moves around with ease and should be one of the best route runners in the league from the get-go. Harrison Jr.’s game is awfully a closer reminder of what his dad used to do in the NFL as a superior route runner.
If Harrison Jr. comes anything close to what his father accomplished in the league, then it will be a memorable career! I have plenty of confidence in Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray putting up big numbers this season, but can he overcome both quarterbacks?
In any other year, I may have had more confidence in Harrison Jr. He will put up fantastic stats. However, Daniels and Williams are probably going to turn heads just a little bit more this season.
Bo Nix (+900)
Denver Broncos’ QB Bo Nix has done well for himself in the preseason and the odds movement for Offensive Rookie of the Year has reflected this much. Nix is down to +900 after entering the preseason at +1200 odds.
It's Bo Time.
HC Sean Payton has named Bo Nix our starting quarterback. pic.twitter.com/R80y6ziIcX
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 21, 2024
Nix will have to overcome a lack of weapons in the Broncos’ offense, though. On the bright side, he has one of the best offensive coaches in the league, Sean Peyton, calling his plays.
JJ McCarthy Injury Update
Injuries are a part of the game of football, and there is seemingly a franchise every year that is especially snake-bitten. This year, that team appears to be the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has had several players hurt this offseason, including rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy.
McCarthy was listed at +1400 to OROY, but he tore his meniscus in his first preseason action. After a full meniscus repair, McCarthy will now miss the entirety of his rookie season.
Head Coach Kevin O’Connell announces that J.J. McCarthy underwent successful surgery this morning that required a full repair and he will miss the entire 2024 season. pic.twitter.com/r7o9VGLleN
— Steven Breech (@steviebreech) August 14, 2024
2024-25 Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds Changes
The odds for this season’s Defense Rookie of the Year have changed dramatically over the last month. Rams’ pass rusher Jared Verge has emerged as the favorite after a strong camp and preseason.
Jared Verse (+350)
After holding steady at +1000 odds to win the 2024-25 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Verse’s odds have flown up the board to +350. LA needs Verse to produce right away after losing DT Aaron Donald to retirement this offseason.
V8 🏎️ pic.twitter.com/Z1jOab06tF
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 8, 2024
He should see snaps from week 1, but it will be up to Verse to capitalize on them. Judging by his high motor in the preseason, he shouldn’t have any issues getting up to speed right away.
If Verse does produce, then he could be a key part of a Rams’ playoff push this season. Helping LA make the playoffs could be Verse’s ticket to winning DROY.
Dallas Turner (+360)
Dallas Turner was the +400 favorite to win 2024-25 Defensive Rookie of the Year in July. While the Vikings’ linebackers odds have shortened to +360, Turner remains the second likeliest winner of the award.
He was previously behind Latu and now Verse has bypassed him on Bovada’s NFL DROY odds board.
📊 Top 3 fastest 40-yard dash times at the 2024 NFL Combine:
1. Dallas Turner (4.46s)
2. Chop Robinson (4.48s)
3. Mohamed Kamara (4.57s)Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel add more speed. #GoFins pic.twitter.com/3oHLoP5pTp
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) April 27, 2024
As I mentioned above, the Vikings have already suffered several key injuries, and the season has not even started. Turner has avoided the injury bug so far, but the same cannot be said for many of his teammates.
Lowered expectations for the team as a whole, though, will likely limit the media attention Turner can generate and hurt his chances of winning DROY.
Laiatu Latu (+360)
Laiatu Latu had just one tackle in his preseason debut. However, the talented defensive will be in a great position to produce this season as long as he stays healthy. His odds for DROY have shortened from +500 to +360 recently.
.@Colts @laiatu_latu is the best defensive player in this draft #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/uy8omNDJlW
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 26, 2024
Latu was disruptive in his debut, even if the stat sheet does not reflect that. According to Sports Illustrated, Latu has been the best defensive rookie in the first full week of the preseason. If he can translate his success to the regular season, then Latu should be a contender late in the year for DROY.
Terrion Arnold (+1000)
Detroit Lions’ cornerback Terrion Arnold looks to fill an immediate need for the defense in the secondary. The Lions didn’t have many weaknesses a season ago, but the secondary was susceptible at times.
"I'll take that"
–@ArnoldTerrion📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/P7mbBxVlPb
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 11, 2023
Selected with the 24th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Arnold is expected to be a disruptor for the Lions off the bat in Week 1. The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year markets have responded favorably to his productive preseason.
Last week, Arnold had +1200 odds to win the 2024-25 DROY, but then suddenly dropped to +1000! The cornerback was one member of a talented Alabama Crimson Tide defensive backfield.
Arnold could end up being one of the steals of the draft and help the Lions to win the NFC Championship. I am confident in Arnold having a big year.
I don’t know if it will be enough to get past the attention of the pass rushers. That said, Arnold should be a major contributor, and help make the Lions a solid option in our NFL Pick’em contest!
Byron Murphy II (+1200)
Byron Murphy II’s odds have fluctuated over the summer leading up to kickoff for the 2024-25 season. He was at +1200 in July, dropped to +1000, and now the markets have pushed his DROY odds back up to +1200.
Strong tackle by the rookie Byron Murphy II 😤
📱: Stream #SEAvsLAC on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QKcSCQlcIm
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
Like Verse, Murphy will be in a great position to produce as a rookie. He will have to compete with Jarran Reed and Leonard Williams for playing time, but if he can earn a starting spot, then Murphy could be a great dark horse for this award.
Rookie of the Year Predictions for the 2024-2025 Season
There are hundreds of rookies entering the league this year, but only two can claim the Rookie of the Year awards. Historically, quarterbacks and pass rushers have been favored in the OROY and DROY races, respectively.
Offensive Rookie of the Year Best Bet
Caleb Williams is the favorite to win OROY this season, and I think he will live up to the hype. Williams already has a head start on the other nominees, as he will be heavily featured on Hard Knocks. This is also a quarterback-friendly award, and Williams has plenty of weapons around him to help him produce stats.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Best Bet
On the defensive side, I originally thought Chop Robinson was going to be the DROY winner.
It is a small sample size, but Robinson has not impressed as much as other defensive rookies so far this preseason. Verse has been impressive, though, and he should be in a great spot to produce in LA now that Aaron Donald is retired.
I was able to jump on Verse at +1000 odds earlier this month, so I certainly like where the bet stands now. Down to +350 at Bovada, Verse’s odds of NFL Defensive Player of the Year are still worth a shot!
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