NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, tips, bets to consider
After covering the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds and bets to consider, we now focus our attention to the defensive side of the ball. Here are the odds for the 2019 season:
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| DE Nick Bosa | 6-1 |
| DE Josh Allen | 7-1 |
| LB Devin White | 8-1 |
| DT Quinnen Williams | 8-1 |
| LB Devin Bush | 10-1 |
| DT Ed Oliver | 12-1 |
| DE Montez Sweat | 12-1 |
| DE Brian Burns | 16-1 |
| DE Clelin Ferrell | 16-1 |
| DE Rashan Gary | 20-1 |
| CB Byron Murphy | 30-1 |
| LB Chase Winovich | 30-1 |
| CB DeAndre Baker | 30-1 |
| CB Greedy Williams | 30-1 |
| S Rock Ya-Sin | 30-1 |
| DT Christian Wilkins | 35-1 |
| S Darnell Savage | 40-1 |
| DT Dexter Lawrence | 40-1 |
| DT Jerry Tillery | 40-1 |
| CB Joejuan Williams | 40-1 |
| S Jonathan Abram | 40-1 |
| DE L.J. Collier | 40-1 |
| CB Sean Bunting | 40-1 |
| DE Jachai Polite | 50-1 |
| S Juan Thornhill | 50-1 |
| CB Trayvon Mullen | 50-1 |
| DE Ben Banogu | 60-1 |
| DE Jeffery Simmons | 60-1 |
| CB Justin Layne | 60-1 |
| S Nasir Adderley | 60-1 |
| S Taylor Rapp | 60-1 |
| DE Dre'Mont Jones | 75-1 |
| DE Oshane Ximines | 75-1 |
What history tells us
While the Offensive Rookie of the Year has been divided among the various skill positions, the defensive award has been front-seven heavy. In the last 20 years, honors were handed out to 12 linebackers, six linemen, and only two cornerbacks; the last safety to win the award did so in 1990.
The downfall for defensive backs is the volatility. A cornerback or safety could go an entire season without giving up a single yard, but they need the flashy statistics - interceptions, tackles, pass breakups, and touchdowns - to swoon the media. Interceptions are unpredictable, whereas sacks are more easy to project, which means it's easier to start in the trenches and work your way back for this type of market.
Bets to consider
Nick Bosa (6-1)
Consider us all-in on Bosa for Rookie of the Year. In a 2019 draft class rife with elite pass-rushers, the Ohio State product is in a tier of his own. He's an every-down juggernaut who should make an immediate impact with the 49ers.
Devin White (8-1)
White was the captain of the LSU defense and should serve as the pulse of the Buccaneers' unit sooner rather than later. He's the prototypical modern-day NFL linebacker, as he can cover a ton of ground and, as Pro Football Focus noted, should be blitzing regularly in Todd Bowles' scheme. White will fill the stat sheet in a rebuilding Tampa Bay defense.
Brian Burns (16-1)
Burns felt like a steal when he went off the board at No. 16 to the Panthers. Racking up 10 sacks in his final season at Florida State, the decorated edge rusher brings some intriguing traits to a Carolina defense that ranked 27th in sacks last season. Burns should see immediate playing time and has the tools to put up big numbers in his first season.
Byron Murphy (30-1)
We're going against conventional wisdom here and suggesting a cornerback. It's nearly impossible to ignore the situation Murphy will be in with the Cardinals. Playing opposite star cornerback Patrick Peterson, the rookie figures to be targeted early and often. It remains to be seen how quickly the former Washington standout can adjust to the pros, but Murphy should have every opportunity to make big plays.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.