The Chosen Five: Breaking Down the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Finalists
NEW YORK, NY — Less than a year ago, they were names on a draft board, carrying the heavy expectations of cities desperate for a spark. Today, they are the faces of the league. The NFL has officially named the five finalists for the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and the list reads like a roadmap for the future of professional football. **Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Brock Bowers, Malik Nabers, and Marvin Harrison Jr.** are the last men standing after a season that shredded the traditional learning curve for newcomers.
“Black 59 Razor.”
That’s the audible @JoeMontana called before hitting @JerryRice for six in Super Bowl XXIV.@insidethenfl‘s Top 60 SB Mic’d Up Moments on X pic.twitter.com/FLBsKFu0ZW
— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2026
The Quarterback Revolution and the Mismatch Nightmare
In Washington, the air feels different. **Jayden Daniels** didn’t just play quarterback; he ignited a franchise that had been stuck in neutral for decades. Daniels dragged the Commanders into the postseason conversation by becoming the first rookie in history to pair a **passer rating over 100 with at least 700 rushing yards**. He played with a poise that made veteran defensive coordinators look like they were guessing, turning every broken play into a highlight-reel scramble or a 40-yard strike down the seam.
In Chicago, **Caleb Williams** overcame a shaky September to prove exactly why he went #1 overall. He broke the Bears’ rookie passing records and showed a haunting ability to make “off-platform” throws that shouldn’t be possible. But while the quarterbacks grabbed the headlines, **Brock Bowers** was busy breaking the league’s math in Las Vegas. The Raiders’ tight end hauled in **over 90 receptions**, acting as a human security blanket and a vertical threat that linebackers simply couldn’t track. He didn’t just have a good rookie year; he had one of the most productive seasons for a tight end in the history of the sport.
- Jayden Daniels (Commanders): The betting favorite who transformed a 4-win team into a playoff threat.
- Caleb Williams (Bears): Proved he can handle the “Monster of the Midway” pressure with elite arm talent.
- Brock Bowers (Raiders): A “positionless” weapon who led all rookies in receptions.
- Malik Nabers (Giants) & Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals): Both eclipsed 1,000 yards, acting as the lone bright spots for their respective passing attacks.
Inside the Huddle
“You watch these kids on Sunday and you forget they were in college a year ago. Jayden’s ability to keep his eyes downfield while his legs are moving at that speed? That isn’t something you coach. That’s a gift. The league is in good hands with this group.” — NFC Scouting Director
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The winner will hold the trophy on February 6 at the NFL Honors, but the real prize is already sitting in the front offices of these five teams. By hitting on these “blue-chip” prospects, franchises like the Commanders and Bears have secured a massive tactical advantage: elite production on a rookie wage scale. This allows Washington to head into the offseason with roughly **$75 million in cap space** to build a wall around Daniels.
Expect the voting to be a tight race between Daniels and Bowers. While the quarterback usually wins the tie-breaker, Bowers’ historic volume as a tight end is impossible to overlook. Regardless of who takes the hardware, the message is clear: the gap between Saturday stars and Sunday icons has never been smaller. Watch these five in the 2025 season—they aren’t “promising young players” anymore. They are the standard.
