Three Dark-Horse Candidates for Every Major NFL Award in 2024

Futures season is fully underway!

What else are NFL fans supposed to do right now? Might as well (responsibly) toss a few bucks down (legally) on some bets for the 2024 season.

With that in mind, let’s look at some dark horses for each of the seven primary NFL awards.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

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Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (+1600): He was the MVP runner-up while leading the league in passing touchdowns with 36 and ranking second in passer rating and QBR in 2023. Not sure why seven players have better odds this year.

Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (+3000): Could this be his breakout year? We know the talent is there, and that new blockbuster contract could instill confidence in the 24-year-old former top pick. This is unlikely but absolutely possible.

Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (+12000): I’m imagining a scenario in which the NFL’s most talented receiver simply explodes in his prime, possibly at a record-setting tune. And if that happens with Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy splitting up time at quarterback, this far-fetched scenario could lead to a wide receiver winning the MVP award for the first time.

Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (+2800): The trajectory is pointing way upward for Detroit’s standout No. 1 target, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he were to top 125 catches, 1,800 yards and a dozen touchdowns in his age-25 season. But eight players have better OPOY odds.

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (+4000): Quarterbacks rarely win this thing nowadays, but it does still happen. And there’s a scenario in which the uniquely talented Jackson puts up mega numbers as both a passer and rusher to land this award without capturing MVP because of feats from other quarterbacks on more dominant teams.

Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown (+4000): Those are pretty tall odds for a superstar receiver in his prime coming off back-to-back second-team All-Pro seasons for one of the most talented and competitive teams in the league…

Houston Texans edge Will Anderson Jr. (+2000): The top defensive player chosen in last year’s draft recorded five sacks in his final six outings as a rookie, leading me to believe he’ll continue to explode as a sophomore. But six players have better DPOY odds than the 2023 DROY.

Houston Texans edge Danielle Hunter (+2500): What a ridiculous duo this could be. And sure, they could rule each other out by sharing the sacks and related glory plays, but there’s also a chance they keep pushing each other and one winds up with the award. The veteran Hunter was already incredible with a league-leading 23 tackles for loss in 2023, and now he’ll have a star attracting attention on the opposite edge in Houston.

Kansas City Chiefs DL Chris Jones (+3000): Dude is a strong candidate every freakin’ year and has been a first-team All-Pro the last two seasons. Might this finally be his time? If nobody else shines in a massive way, voters might finally go this direction by default.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy (+1800): When you’ve got that speed, you’ve got Patrick Mahomes, and you’ve got a receiving corps that is weak enough to lead to plenty of looks, the ingredients are there. Under those circumstances, those odds are strong.

Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. (+4000): The frequently targeted Calvin Ridley is gone, and there’s no telling if Gabe Davis can step in and deliver. Thomas is coming off a massive campaign in the SEC and could flourish right away with Lawrence. It’s worth consideration with those odds.

Carolina Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks (+5000): In a critical season for quarterback Bryce Young, I can see Carolina and Young leaning heavily on the former Texas star as both a rusher and receiver. It’s complicated by the presence of Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, but neither inspires a lot of confidence right now.

Miami Dolphins edge Chop Robinson (+1400): The talent is there, but the odds are far-fetched because he didn’t execute in overwhelming fashion on paper in college. Plus, Miami has some depth on the edge. That could change, though, as Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb have been dealing with lingering injuries, and there’s no telling what the Dolphins will get out of a 31-year-old Shaquil Barrett.

Philadelphia Eagles CB Cooper DeJean (+2200): The all-around playmaker from his days at Iowa should have a chance to play plenty of roles with a ton of support in a strong defense, which could pave the way for award-winning numbers in Year 1.

Los Angeles Rams S Kamren Kinchens (+7500): We’re going real deep for this one, but there’s a very good chance the third-round pick gets plenty of work right off the bat in a transformed Rams secondary, and he has the vision and playmaking ability (11 sacks the last two seasons at Miami) to make a huge impact.

Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers (+1800): The Panthers have only one direction to go, and if Canales can help fix quarterback Bryce Young and help Carolina overachieve, he’ll be in the running for sure. The talent and experience is there, and the NFC South is soft enough for a surprise Panthers run.

Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders (+2000): Pierce lit a fire under the Raiders in an interim capacity in 2023, and the roster is good enough to surpass expectations in 2024. It’s surprising to see him listed below 11 head coaches in terms of COY odds.

Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals (+2500): Those are very good odds considering what the Bengals could do with Joe Burrow returning from injury. Taylor and his team have a strong track record when Burrow is healthy, yet 16 coaches have better odds.

Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold (+2000): I’m not giving up on Darnold, who has had his moments despite few opportunities since the Jets gave up on the 2018 No. 3 overall pick. And neither are the Vikings, who may give J.J. McCarthy some serious time to develop. In fact, with plenty of support in that offense, I wouldn’t be surprised if the 27-year-old Darnold excelled as a starter throughout the 2024 campaign.

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (+3000): It might simply be about staying healthy for a guy who hasn’t done so the last two years but was on a superstar trajectory prior to that. Love those odds considering his overall ability and track record.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields (+4000): What if a fresh setting is what the doctor ordered? There’s no denying his talent and athletic ability, and it’s possible he’ll beat out Russell Wilson and take off in Pittsburgh. If so, he’d have to be considered here.