The betting odds for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 are extremely intriguing, given the recent history of this award. While the award has gone to players at all three levels in the last six years, three of those awards have been won by pass rushers. Therefore, you can expect to find plenty of pass rushers near the top of the odds for this award.
In the article below, we’ll take a look at the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds and examine the predictions and longshots from our team of analysts. In this article, we will have picks from PFN Chief NFL Analyst Trey Wingo, Betting Director Brian Blewis, Betting and Fantasy Analysts Jason Katz and Kyle Soppe, as well as FOX Sports’ Chris “The Bear” Fallica.
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Live NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Predictions
Wingo: For most rookies, it’s about situations… and Tyree Wilson (+1100 at FanDuel) finds himself in a good one in Vegas. With Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones there already, Wilson may find himself in a bunch of situational pass-rush opportunities that might create the numbers necessary to get a shot.
Fallica: Jalen Carter (+750 at FanDuel) was the best player in the draft, and to watch him land in a perfect spot in Philadelphia was incredible. He’ll have a bunch of former Georgia teammates around him and a great locker room and coaching staff to help get the best out of him.
And that’s bad news for the rest of the league, as the reigning NFC champs got a lot better in the draft on the defensive end of the ball.
Katz: To win DROY, a player needs to be a prolific pass rusher or a shutdown corner. The top five guys, odds-wise, all fit the mold, but I have my eyes on Jalen Carter at +750 and Tyree Wilson at +100.
It would take some big sack numbers for one of them, so give me Wilson, who had seven sacks in each of his final two seasons at college, at the longer odds.
Blewis: A steal for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Carter is my pick for DROY. Last year’s 1st round pick Jordan Davis might not see a ton of snaps on passing downs, and Fletcher Cox has started to decline as he has gotten older.
That gives Carter plenty of opportunity to rush the passer on one of the best defensive lines in all of football, replacing Javon Hargrave, who had 11 sacks a year ago.
Soppe: Rumors are swirling in Seattle that they are ready to experiment with where Devon Witherspoon (+1100 at FanDuel) lines up, and that has me leaning that way. Versatility is something few enter the NFL with, and with this level of draft capital invested (No. 5 overall pick), the Seahawks have all the motivation in the world to see what this kid can do.
If they do, in fact, play him in the slot, that could mean more matchups against the best receivers in the game as offenses are trending toward moving their most dangerous weapon to the slot.
That could result in the rookie getting exposed, but it also gives him the unique upside to prove he belongs in short order. We believe the Seahawks will boast a strong offense, thus forcing opponents to be aggressive through the air and opening up opportunities for the Illinois product to impress.
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Wingo: A long shot? Mazi Smith in Dallas (+5000 at FanDuel). Lots of people questioned this pick, but with Dan Quinn still running that defense, Mazi will be put in a ton of opportunities for him to shine.
Fallica: I loved Noah Sewell (+7500 at DraftKings) at Oregon, and while his production was down last year with a new coordinator, he got a lot of reps early on in the OTAs with Jack Sanborn sidelined. That will only help him make his case stronger for a lot of playing time this season.
Katz: For a longshot, look no further than Joey Porter Jr. (+3000 at BetMGM). Admittedly, these odds are probably inflated due to his name, but no one is going to complain about hitting on +2500. If any non-elite prospect has a chance to break through as a rookie, it’s the son of a former All-Pro who played for the same team.
Blewis: Not a massive longshot, but I like CB Emmanuel Forbes (+2000 at DraftKings) on Washington as a sleeper DROY pick. This is a production award, and Forbes is an absolute ballhawk at the position.
He recorded 16 interceptions and an FBS-record six pick-sixes in his three-year career at Mississippi State. Forbes is slated to start on the outside for the Commanders, so he should get plenty of opportunity to make big plays in the secondary.
Risers and Fallers
There hasn’t been any noticeable movement in recent weeks in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. The top of the leaderboard has remained in place since the start of the preseason, and no player has seen a massive shift in their odds.
Who Is the Favorite To Win Defensive Rookie of the Year?
The first defensive player taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, Will Anderson Jr. (+400), is the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year at DraftKings. Following Anderson are Jalen Carter (+700), Christian Gonzalez (+950), Devon Witherspoon (+1000), and Tyree Wilson (+1000).