ClutchPoints
The 2024 NFL Draft was filled with top quarterback prospects expected to change the trajectory of the teams that selected them. After 11 weeks of NFL play, two of those quarterbacks have done just that in Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix. Both are strong contenders for the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award.
Daniels took an early commanding (no pun intended) lead in the OROY race after Week 2. Washington rattled off four straight wins and claimed victory in seven of their first nine games. However, the Commanders have since hit a two-game skid.
Nix, on the other hand, started slower, as is common for rookies, but has taken off over the last several games. The Broncos opened the season 0-2 but have since won six of their last nine games. After Nix’s career day in a blowout win over the Falcons in Week 11, many are believing the Denver signal-caller could be poised to steal the OROY award from Daniels (or better). And who’s to say they’re wrong?
First, let’s compare the two rookie quarterback’s season stats.
Over their last four games, both Nix and Daniels have gone 2-2, each suffering losses to top-tier playoff contenders. However, Daniels’ production has dipped slightly since he suffered a rib injury about a month ago against the Panthers. Before that game, Washington’s offense averaged 31.1 points per game. Over the last four games, that number has dropped to 22.5—a nearly 10-point difference.
Have defenses gotten tougher? Absolutely. Washington’s last two games were against the Eagles and Steelers, both top-five scoring defenses, and Week 8 saw them face the seventh-ranked Bears defense. While Daniels hasn’t been terrible, his completion percentage fell to 55% or lower in two of those games, throwing four touchdowns and one interception during that stretch.
Nix, meanwhile, has been giving Daniels a serious challenge for the OROY award as he’s progressively gotten better. Accuracy, his calling card coming out of Oregon, has been on full display. Aside from the Ravens game in Week 9, Nix has completed at least 73% of his passes in his last four outings, including nearly 85% against the Falcons in Week 11. During this span, he’s accounted for 10 total touchdowns and thrown just one interception.
Give credit to Commanders head coach Dan Quinn for hiring Kliff Kingsbury, a proven offensive mind. However, Kingsbury’s offenses often start hot before cooling off as opponents adjust, as The Athletic noted. Conversely, Broncos head coach Sean Payton, one of the best play-callers in NFL history, has taken a methodical approach with Nix, slowly expanding his responsibilities as the season goes on.
Payton’s process appears to be paying off. Nix has shown steady improvement, with Denver’s offense finding its rhythm. While Daniels may currently lead the OROY race, betting on Nix’s development under Payton feels like...
