We’ve already taken a look at the betting market for the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year winner in the NFL, and now it’s time to turn our attention to the defensive side of football.
The list of recent winners is quite adorned. Since 2010, Defensive Rookie of the Year honors have gone to Ndamukong Sug, Von Miller, Luke Kuechly, Aaron Donald, the Bosa brothers, Marshon Lattimore, Darius Leonard and Chase Young to name a few. Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons brought home the award last season.
It’s an impressive list, and now we’re sifting through this year’s Rookie ranks to find the next Impact defender who’s poised for a big first season in the league.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Betting Odds
The top of the NFL draft was packed with defenders, making this an intriguing price to find a bet. Here are the top 15 on the board, odds courtesy of DraftKings.
- Aidan Hutchinson (+550)
- Kayvon Thibodeaux (+550)
- Travon Walker (+750)
- Quay Walkers (+800)
- Kyle Hamilton (+800)
- Derek Stingley Jr (+1000)
- Ahmad Gardner (+1000)
- Jermaine Johnson II (+1000)
- Devin Lloyd (+1000)
- Hub Dean (+1200)
- Jordan Davis (+1400)
- Trent McDuffie (+1600)
- Georg Karlaftis (+1600)
- Kaiir Elam (+2000)
- Andrew Booth Jr (+2200)
The top five picks in this past NFL draft were all defensive players, with 16 total picks in the first round. The top three on this board are all edge rushers. Travon Walker went first to Jacksonville, followed by #2 Hutchinson to Detroit and #5 Thibodeaux to the Giants.
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Sack counts are the easiest way for many to quantify a defender’s influence, which would explain why betting favorites are falling the way they are. Four of the last six DROY winners have specialized in overrunning passers-by.
That doesn’t mean at all that the next winner will be in this form, but it has become a pattern. With our two best bets for this market, we deviate from this trend.
Ahmad Gardner +1000
Gardner was picked fourth by the New York Jets, and the Cincinnati corner is used immediately as a starter for a Jets defense that badly needs a boost. An elite cornerback cannot be understated for a successful defense. Having a shutdown ability and taking away a team’s top option can completely change the complexion of a game.
Gardner’s reputation grew as the draft neared, with his greatest accolade being that he never conceded a touchdown in his entire collegiate career. Gardner had nine interceptions in three seasons with Cincinnati, but cornerback stats don’t tell a whole story. Gardner was rarely thrown thanks to his sticky, physical cover.
Assuming Gardner takes this to the next level, he’ll be reminding rushing Jets fans of Darrelle Revis. I’m better than some with the Jets, but if Gardner helps turn this team around quickly, he’ll turn heads with this award. I like those odds for a player who is considered by many to be one of the most talented, pro-complete players in this draft.
Jordan Davis +1400
As we do with these futures markets, we often project a future that may or may not be reality. In the case of Jordan Davis, the reality he would need to win Defensive Rookie of the Year would be if one of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive tackles missed time during the season.
Davis joins an invited group in Philly that includes Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave and Milton Williams. Davis will rotate with these DTs, which should keep everyone fresh and help ravage inside offensive lines in their path.
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Davis put on an absolute show at the combine, registering numbers never before seen for a man his size. Georgia’s DT is a mammoth of a player who commands doubles teams whenever he’s on the field. Should he see one-on-one matches, Davis expects to get to quarterback and fill the run regularly.
Davis won last season’s Chuck Bednarik award, which is given to the nation’s best college football defenseman. He won the hardware before playing limited snaps and he can do it again in the NFL.
Davis will likely unlock a new style of Eagles defense and open lanes for that team’s pass rushers to get to the passer. His impact may extend beyond general stats, but he will be noticed by the Eagles, their opponents, and the media through the end of the season. Keep an eye on Davis early this season, and at +1400, one of the most unique athletes to ever enter the league deserves a bet.
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