With the 2024 NFL Draft officially in the books, oddsmakers have already started setting lines on the favorites for NFL Offensive Rooke of the Year.
And while quarterback selections Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) and J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) are the presumed front-runners for the honor (for good reason), there are some other under-the-radar players who could enter the conversation once the season begins.
Here are three dark-horse candidates for 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
1. Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis – who combined for 241 targets, 1,929 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns with the Bills last season – are no longer in the picture and QB Josh Allen is in need of new No. 1 and 2 receivers. Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel have first dibs on the positions, but Coleman could quickly ascend to the top of the depth chart with a strong showing in training camp and during the preseason.
After all, Allen texted Coleman before the Bills drafted him at the top of Round 2 and told him that the FSU standout was the receiver with whom he wanted to play. The 20-year-old wideout has excellent hands and great jump-ball skills (he stands 6-foot-3), wins plenty of contested catches (nearly 50% at Florida State) and is tough to bring down after the catch (he forced 20 missed tackles the last two seasons).
