San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He was absolutely electric throughout the 2023 campaign. McCaffrey led the league in rushing yards (with a career-high 1,459), yards from scrimmage (2,023), and touchdowns (21). He also posted personal-bests in yards per rushing attempt (5.4) and receiving touchdowns (7).
Competition will be fierce this season as several contenders look to dethrone McCaffrey. Running backs and wide receivers often set their sights on the OPOY award, knowing that QB’s dominate the MVP conversation. BetOnline’s NFL futures prop betting landscape for the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year honor has taken shape. The top options shake out as follows:
Christian McCaffrey (+700)
Ja’Marr Chase (+750)
Tyreek Hill (+850)
CeeDee Lamb (+900)
Justin Jefferson (+1,200)
Breece Hall (+1,200)
Bijan Robinson (+1,600)
Derrick Henry (+1,800)
Saquon Barkley (+,2000)
- Puka Nacua (+2,000)
THE FAVORITE: CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY
The oddsmakers are backing McCaffrey to repeat as NFL Offensive Player of the Year and it's easy to understand why. The 49ers are absolutely loaded on offense. Brock Purdy is a legit MVP candidate, and weapons like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle ensure that opposing defenses are stretched thin.
The 49ers are currently involved in contract-related standoffs with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams. Williams is especially crucial to McCaffrey's ground-game success. McCaffrey has been dynamic since joining the 49ers during a 2022 midseason trade. He possesses a strong opportunity to outperform every other offensive player in the league for a second straight season.
MY PICK: JA'MARR CHASE
I'm going a bit bold and backing Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Chase exploded onto the scene as a 2021 rookie by totaling a career-high 1,455 receiving yards. His sophomore season was slightly derailed by injury, and his upside in 2023 was capped by an injury to starting quarterback Joe Burrow. The former LSU wideout still recorded a personal-best 100 catches and 1,216 yards this past season despite missing his signal caller.
Hopefully Chase and Burrow stay healthy throughout the upcoming campaign for the first time since 2021. If so, I envision Chase recording his first 1,500-plus yard season while helping position the Bengals for Super Bowl contention.
A WORTHY UNDERDOG: DERRICK HENRY
The NFL Offensive Player of the Year winner in 2020 when he rushed for 2,000 yards, Derrick Henry is available at a tempting +1,800 odds. Henry's production regressed in 2023 as he managed just 1,167 yards. That was largely the result of playing on a lackluster Tennessee Titans offense.
Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, ensuring he'll help form one of the most dynamic rushing duos in the league alongside reigning MVP Lamar Jackson. Henry's offensive line will also be significantly better in Baltimore, where he'll rush behind linemen like Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum.
The only concerns are how Henry's advancing age (he turned 30 in January) will impact him, and how much Jackson's rushing upside will cap his ceiling.
