Thanks to Caleb Williams’ arrival as the Chicago Bears’ next franchise quarterback, after being chosen with the No. 1 overall pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, alongside an electrifying supporting cast that includes receivers D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and fellow top-ten pick Rome Odunze — as perhaps the most prolific trio at the position in the league, there’s renewed optimism that the Monsters of The Midway could be primed for a sustained run at postseason success.
Williams is also a runaway favorite to take home the NFL Offensive Rookie of The Year Award.
As training camp opens, Williams is a +125 betting line favorite to take home Offensive Rookie of The Year, at BetMGM.
But, there is always a chance that another superstar from a deep draft class of offensive playmakers could wind up walking off stage with the award at the NFL Honors ceremony next February.
Could Marvin Harrison Jr. Beat Out Caleb Williams for Rookie of The Year?
While C.J. Stroud was voted NFL Offensive Rookie of The Year last season, and quarterbacks have won the award three times in the past five years, it isn’t a category nearly as dominated as MVP has become in recent years.
After all, Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson took home the honor in 2022, Bengals All-Pro wideout Ja’Marr Chase was named the 2021 Rookie of The Year, and going back six seasons, Saquon Barkley won the award in 2018.
As training camps open across the league, NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein predicts Williams will follow Stroud’s footsteps and win the award, but suggests Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison may be the top pick’s top competition.
“While some of the players ranked lower on this list will have to fend off competition within their position groups in Year 1,” Zierlein writes. “That is not the case for Harrison in Arizona. He is clearly the immediate WR1, which means he should be seeing a huge chunk of targets all year long. Kyler Murray has already made it clear he believes the rookie will take Arizona’s offense “to another level.” Harrison offers the size, speed and route polish to create throwing windows and the ball skills to win contested throws. Barring injury, I have a hard time imagining a scenario where Harrison doesn’t place himself in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year.”
Harrison certainly has the potential to emerge as Kyler Murray’s top target and an explosive weapon immediately, after catching 155 passes for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns in three collegiate seasons as the focal point of Ohio State’s offense.
Whether the former Buckeyes standout can make a significant enough impact to win the award over Williams remains to be seen.
