NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, best bets
In May, we suggested Nick Bosa, Devin White, Brian Burns, and Byron Murphy as some of the best bets to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bosa and White look like safe picks to rack up serious production, while Burns and Murphy will be thrust into massive opportunities - with the latter looking like a breakout candidate for the injury-riddled Cardinals.
After running through the offensive candidates on Monday, here are the updated odds for the defensive award, with a few more candidates to consider before the start of the NFL season.
| PLAYER | POSITION | ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| Devin Bush | LB | 11-2 (+550) |
| Devin White | LB | 7-1 |
| Quinnen Williams | DL | 9-1 |
| Nick Bosa | DL | 12-1 |
| Josh Allen | LB | 12-1 |
| Brian Burns | LB | 12-1 |
| Ed Oliver | DL | 14-1 |
| Clelin Ferrell | DL | 25-1 |
| Montez Sweat | LB | 25-1 |
| Jahlani Tavai | LB | 25-1 |
| Rashan Gary | LB | 28-1 |
| Darnell Savage | S | 28-1 |
| Rock Ya-Sin | CB | 33-1 |
| Deandre Baker | CB | 33-1 |
| Byron Murphy | CB | 33-1 |
| Greedy Williams | CB | 33-1 |
| Chase Winovich | DL | 33-1 |
| Jerry Tillery | DL | 40-1 |
| Christian Wilkins | DL | 40-1 |
| Johnathan Abram | S | 40-1 |
| Nasir Adderley | S | 50-1 |
| Sean Bunting | CB | 50-1 |
| L.J. Collier | DL | 50-1 |
| Dexter Lawrence | DL | 50-1 |
| Justin Layne | CB | 50-1 |
| Juan Thornhill | S | 50-1 |
| Joejuan Williams | CB | 50-1 |
| Germaine Pratt | LB | 50-1 |
| Ben Banogu | LB | 60-1 |
| Trayvon Mullen | CB | 60-1 |
| Dre'Mont Jones | DL | 66-1 |
| Jachai Polite | DL | 66-1 |
| Taylor Rapp | S | 66-1 |
| Oshane Ximines | LB | 66-1 |
| Jeffery Simmons | DL | 80-1 |
We already mentioned Bosa as a best bet in May and earlier in this piece. So why is he here again? Because his price is dropping, and that could leave some serious value on this year's No. 2 pick.
An ankle sprain has kept Bosa sidelined the past two weeks, and it's questionable if he'll play in Week 1. Remember, though, that older brother Joey Bosa only played 12 games in his rookie year and still won Defensive Rookie of the Year with a monstrous 10.5-sack season.
The younger Bosa has the potential to do something similar in San Francisco, so don't ignore anything above 10-1.
Ed Oliver, DL, Bills (14-1)Oliver was an early pick for top defensive rookie after the draft, but he's faded from the conversation as the season nears. He's too talented to be the victim of such a mistake, and his potential sack totals give him a legitimate shot to win.
The Houston product was a star in training camp and has turned heads in the preseason as a speed-and-strength monster from the defensive interior:
Ed Oliver working vs. a double team... have mercy. #Bills pic.twitter.com/PmHXapnyHf
- Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) August 16, 2019
Perhaps his atypical size will hurt him, but it sure doesn't look like it based on his early play with the Bills. Grab the long odds.
Darnell Savage, S, Packers (28-1)The Packers invested heavily in Savage when they traded up to take the Maryland safety 21st overall. He's returned the favor so far, impressing coaches with his remarkable speed and football IQ.
Training camp chatter is just that, but Savage will have massive opportunity during the season as a ball-hawking safety for Green Bay. Two of the last four Defensive Rookie of the Year winners had at least five interceptions, which isn't unattainable for Savage and his 28-1 return.
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