The 2024 NFL Draft saw three elite wide receiver prospects selected within the opening 10 picks. The overall depth of the class was highlighted with a total of 10 wideouts picked within the opening 37 selections. The draft was said to feature a historically impressive class of receivers and that promise did not disappoint as they flew off the board. That's going to make this year's chase for the 2024 rookie receiving touchdowns leader particularly exciting.
BetOnline responded by updating the betting odds for the 2024 campaign rookie receiving touchdowns leader. The top three selections are dominating the betting market. Their odds are as follows:
Marvin Harrison Jr. (+140)
Malik Nabers (+150)
Rome Odunze (+200)
THE FAVORITE AND MY PICK: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is considered the slight favorite. The first non-quarterback selected (No. 4 overall) projects as a target-hog in an Arizona Cardinals offense that needs to be more effective through the air in 2024. With Kyler Murray limited to eight regular-season appearances in 2023 through injury, the Cardinals finished 25th in passing touchdowns with 18.
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown led all Cardinals pass-catchers in receiving touchdowns with four. Brown joined the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Other players that caught touchdowns for the Cardinals in 2023 such as Zach Ertz and Rondale Moore are no longer on the roster. Harrison Jr. will immediately address a major need as a premier red-zone weapon for Murray and could flirt with double-digit receiving touchdowns as a rookie.
THE NO. 1 CONTENDER: Malik Nabers
Malik Nabers slightly trails Harrison Jr. at +140 odds. The former LSU standout should immediately address a multi-year need for a No. 1 go-to playmaker in the New York Giants’ aerial attack. A healthy Daniel Jones (or Drew Lock?) will pepper Nabers with targets in the short, intermediate, and deep areas of the field.
Veteran tight end Darren Waller is still mulling retirement. Saquon Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Those two veterans combined for 134 touches and 11 total touchdowns last season. Barkley was the Giants’ co-leader in receiving touchdowns with four. Expect Nabers to lead all Giants offensive weapons in receptions and touchdowns in 2024.
A DARK HORSE PICK: Keon Coleman
Keon Coleman isn’t even listed by BetOnline. The Bills parted with their receiving touchdowns leader of the previous four seasons when they traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans earlier this offseason. In 2023, Diggs posted a team-high eight receiving scores. Even the Bills' second-highest receiving touchdown producer over the past two seasons is no longer present (Gabe Davis, 14).
Coleman is a big-bodied receiving threat that can box out defenders in the end zone. Size and ball skills allow the former FSU standout to thrive in contested-catch situations. The Bills have fielded a top-10 passing offense for four consecutive seasons. The always pass-happy Josh Allen is going to trust Coleman to make plays in the end zone.
