NFL Gridiron Greats - 7/24/24
The NFL season is just around the corner and it's never too early to speculate on a litany of awards given out at the end of the season. This week, we’ll look at two awards: NFL Offensive Player of the Year and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Next week, we’ll focus on the Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Candidates
Caleb Williams, QB Chicago Bears (+135) - The #1 pick in the draft will have every opportunity to succeed this season with the Bears. The team traded away Justin Fields and have handed Williams the keys, including what should be an exciting receiving group. Williams has the opportunity to be this year’s CJ Stroud.
Jayden Daniels, QB Washington Commanders (+550) - Like Williams, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner has the starting job all but sewn up before the Commanders have taken a preseason snap. Daniels has an even more dynamic receiving group than Williams and is a better runner. The main concern will be health. He is on the thin side.
Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR Arizona Cardinals (+650) - The consensus best wide receiver in the draft has the pedigree and comes into an Arizona situation with a proven quarterback throwing the ball to him. If Harrison can develop an early rapport with Kyler Murray, he could be the breakout star of this class.
Xavier Woods, WR Kansas City Chiefs (+2000) - There isn’t a player on this list that comes into a better situation than Woods. He was drafted by the two-time defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs, has an offensive-minded head coach, and the best quarterback in football. Did we mention he has blazing speed? This could be a match made in heaven.
Brock Bowers, TE (+4000) - Bowers is an interesting long shot to consider. He is the most athletic tight end in the class and has great hands, above average speed, and comes from a top college program. The concern is the offense he is in. The Raiders #1 target is DaVante Adams, until/when he is traded. QB Aiden O’Connell went 5-5 as a starter last year and showed promise. If Bowers develops a repore with him, he could be a sneaky pick to win rookie offensive POY.
NFL Offensive Player of the Year Candidates
Tyreek Hill, WR Miami Dolphins (+700) - As long as he’s healthy, Hill is the most dangerous weapon on the field. The Dolphins offense revolves around him and the veteran wideout has continued to state his quest for 2000 yards receiving. Hill does tend to miss a few games a year and barring a 2,000 yard season or TD record season, he’s got a lot of competition.
Christian McCaffrey, RB San Francisco Giants (+750) - The defending NFL Offensive POY will likely have a tough time matching his totals last year. I would be worried about his ability to stay on the field at his size and with the workload he gets.
CeeDee Lamb, WR Dallas Cowboys (+900) - Lamb set a franchise record for receptions last season and is also a candidate for the first-ever 2000 yard receiving season. The Cowboys will once again rely heavily on their passing game and he is the team’s #1 target by a wide margin.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR Cincinnati Bengals (+1200) - Chase has his quarterback healthy again this season and that could make all the difference in the world. Joe Burrow and Chase have had chemistry dating back to their days at LSU and Burrow will no doubt lean on him heavily again this season.
Saquon Barkley, RB Philadelphia Eagles (+1600) - Barkley could be the most dynamic running back in the NFL and, for the first time in his career, isn’t expected to be the lone offensive weapon on his team. The Eagles have a strong offensive line, a skillful quarterback, and arguably the best pair of wide receivers in football. Barkley just needs to stay healthy and pick his spots. This could end up being a year in which he gains his most yards from scrimmage overall but more as a receiver than he has in the past.
LONG SHOTS
Josh Allen, QB Buffalo Bills (+4500) - What fun would it be if we stuck only to the favorites. When I glance down the board and I see a dynamic player like Allen with these kinds of odds, I take notice. Sure, he’s lost his top two WRs and his season ended early once again but this might be, apologies to Lamar Jackson, the most dynamic quarterback in the league. The Bills may lean on him more than ever to run as well as throw the ball and, if things break right, this could be a record-setting season for Allen.
DaVante Adams (+5000) - This number seems about right but what if Adams is dealt to a team with a viable quarterback and a real shot to go deep in the playoffs? Rumors of Adams being dealt have been flowing since last season. The Raiders can keep denying it, but where there’s smoke?? Imagine, say, that the Bills put together a package for Adams and made him Allen’s top target? Suddenly +5000 Offensive POY odds would seem pretty high for one of the five best WRs in football.
*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
