There is no perfect formula for identifying a potential NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
This award has jumped around to various positions of the years. In fact, a position hasn’t repeated as DROY since Sheldon Richardson and Aaron Donald won it for defensive tackles in 2013 and 2014.
CB Sauce Gardner won last year and LB Micah Parsons the year before. This season has been tricky to decipher as nobody ran away with the award.
Jalen Carter is the favorite, although it’s far from a runaway win like it will likely be for C.J. Stroud and the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award Odds
NFL odds used for these DROY Award tips were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. ET.
- Jalen Carter, DL, Philadelphia Eagles (-1000)
- Will Anderson, EDGE, Houston Texans (+400)
- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks (+6000)
- Brian Branch, S, Detroit Lions (+6000)
- Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers (+7500)
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award Prediction
Will Anderson, EDGE, Houston Texans (+400)
The No. 3 overall pick finished the season with seven sacks, 29 solo tackles, 16 assists, and 10.5 stuffs. In each category, Anderson outpaced Jalen Carter, the favorite for most of the season for this Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
However, it seems Carter lost his grip on the award and Anderson should be considered the new favorite despite the long odds. Plus, the Pro Football Writers of America named Anderson their DROY last week.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Sleeper Bet
Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles (-1000)
After a hot start where Carter collected 3.5 sacks in his first five games, he cooled off with just 2.5 sacks over his final 11 contests.
A week ago, Carter was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team, but Will Anderson Jr. won Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Looking ahead to next season, it’ll be interesting to see what new Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can do with DT phenoms Carter and Jordan Davis.
