The NFL has made a point of emphasis to educate Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers on their alleged $10,000 wager to win Offensive Rookie of the Year during the upcoming 2024 NFL season.
Daniels and Nabers are former teammates at LSU and were both selected as top-six draft picks during the 2024 NFL Draft. Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy award following his production-filled year as the LSU Tigers’ quarterback, while Nabers’ dynamic playmaking ability made him the top wide receiver on the roster.
NFL Gambling Policy
The legalization of sports betting since PASPA legislation was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 has led to several betting scandals in professional sports. The NFL has a strict gambling policy to preserve the integrity of the league, so this private wager between two of the top draft picks taken in April has come under scrutiny.
Per the NFL gambling policy, NFL personnel are prohibited from “placing, soliciting or facilitating any bet, whether directly or through a third party”, which includes any NFL game, practice, or other league events. In 2022, this policy specifically referenced “private wagers between teammates, family and friends, or others” but this specification was removed from the 2023 NFL gambling policy.
Daniels and Nabers production at LSU
Jayden Daniels transferred to LSU after spending his first three years playing at Arizona State. In 2023, Daniels recorded a 72.2 percent completion rate and recorded a blistering 40 touchdown passes to just four interceptions. He also frequently showcased his game-breaking speed and elusive ability in open space, averaging 8.4 yards per carry and finishing with 10 rushing touchdowns, totaling over 130 carries.
Nabers’ numbers spiked in 2022 and 2023 after Daniels arrived at LSU. The No. 6 overall draft pick was the second wide receiver selected, following Marvin Harrison Jr. who was taken with the fourth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Nabers recorded 89 receptions for 1,569 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023.
The wideout made a huge leap in terms of volume once Daniels arrived in 2022, going from 28 receptions to 72 receptions and over 1,000 yards during his sophomore season. In 2023, Nabers doubled the number of total touchdowns he scored in the previous two seasons combined, while also adding another 500 receiving yards compared to where he finishes in 2022.
Suffice it to say that both of these top rookie draft prospects have plenty of talent to unleash in the NFL in 2024.
