After two weeks of regular season action, Jayden Daniels is the new leader in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year chase.
The Washington quarterback is at +300 odds. Preseason favorite Caleb Williams (+350) of Chicago has slipped to third, right behind wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (+325) of Arizona.
The NFL Rookie of the Year odds boards will continue to move throughout the campaign, but early returns suggest it could be a three-player race as Week 3 nears.
Daniels is the new betting favorite as Williams drops to third
Entering the season, Williams was the favorite to win the award at odds of +130. However, the first overall selection at the NFL Draft has struggled through his first two weeks of pro action.
The Chicago Bears are 1-1, picking up a comeback win over Tennessee in their opener and then falling to Houston on Sunday night. Williams has completed 37 of 66 passes for 267 yards and two interceptions, gaining 69 yards on the ground.
Daniels has performed better for the 1-1 Washington Commanders, who picked up a win over the New York Giants on Sunday. He has taken over as the favorite as a result, with his odds shifting from +500 in advance of the season to +300.
Through two games, Daniels has completed 40 of 53 passes for 410 yards. He has yet to throw for a touchdown, but he did find the end zone twice on the ground in a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers.
Daniels, the winner of last season’s Heisman Trophy, was the second overall selection at the draft. Drake Maye went No. 3 but has opened his career at QB2, as Jacoby Brissett has been under center for the 1-1 New England Patriots.
Wide receivers round out the top five
On Sunday, one of the most explosive offensive performances belonged to rookie wideout Harrison Jr. He had four receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns, both in the first quarter.
The Arizona Cardinals won a 41-10 laugher over the Rams to move to 1-1. After a disappointing opening performance in which he had one catch for four yards, Harrison Jr. announced his arrival in a big way.
As a result, his odds of winning the award have spiked, jumping from +750 in advance of the campaign to +325.
Behind the three leaders are two more wide receivers: Malik Nabers of the Giants is fourth at +850, and Xavier Worthy (+1700) of Kansas City is fifth.
The Giants have opened with a record of 0-2, but Nabers has quickly emerged as the top option in the passing attack, hauling in 15 receptions for 193 yards and a touchdown.
The Chiefs are 2-0 following a last-second win over the Bengals. Worthy had a relatively quiet game, but he exploded in his debut appearance for a pair of TDs in a win over the Ravens on the NFL’s opening night.
