NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds: Can anyone beat out Chase Young?

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The Washington Redskins selected Chase Young second overall in the NFL draft, and the former Ohio State standout is the clear +250 favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Young will look to be the third Buckeyes defensive end in the last five years to claim the award (Joey Bossa, 2016; Nick Bossa, 2019), but there's more value at the linebacker position, which has seen 12 winners since 2000.

Here are the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, along with players that bettors should buy and sell based on the early numbers.

Odds listed for players +4000 and shorter

Isaiah Simmons, LB Cardinals +600

Simmons is worth a long look at +600. The versatile linebacker can line up all over the field and even play safety if needed. He should provide an immediate impact for the Arizona Cardinals, who finished dead last in total defense in 2019 after allowing 27.6 points per game. Linebackers who can stuff the stat sheet are always strong candidates to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Simmons fits the bill. He's the best bet on the board as the second favorite.

Willie Gay Jr., LB Chiefs +2500

Gay is a player further down the oddsboard worth considering. The Kansas City Chiefs are loaded with talent but need to upgrade the linebacker position, and the athletic Gay will certainly help. Gay runs a 4.46 40-yard dash and has the versatility to play all three linebacker spots in the Chiefs' defense. Kansas City's offense scores so quickly that the defense spends a lot of time on the field with the lead, giving Gay more opportunities to rack up stats. Expected to start from Day 1, Gay is a sneaky pick to win the award at 25-1.

A.J. Epenesa, DE Bills +3300

Epenesa is a good player and will come right in to help the Buffalo Bills' defense as a situational pass-rusher. The issue isn't the player, it's the good depth along the Bills' defensive front that will make it difficult for Epenesa to win the award. Buffalo has the luxury to rotate five different players at defensive end, and while that's great for a team trying to compete for a Super Bowl, it's not the best recipe for individual accolades. While the +3300 odds may look tempting, pass on Epenesa.

Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.

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