The NFL’s preseason starts this week, and now is the time to start digging into the awards markets.
When it comes to futures markets, you do not need to bet on just one player, and you should also keep adding bets throughout the season. Think of future bets like building a portfolio. If you have four players to win at 20-1, and one of your four players wins, you are profiting a lot even though you just lost three other bets.
Here’s a look at 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and discuss some good bets to make now.
2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
| Player | Position | Team | Odds |
| Will Anderson Jr. | EDGE | Texans | +400 |
| Jalen Carter | DT | Eagles | +700 |
| Christian Gonzales | CB | Patriots | +950 |
| Tyree Wilson | EDGE | Raiders | +1000 |
| Devon Witherspoon | CB | Seahawks | +1000 |
| Jack Campbell | LB | Lions | +1400 |
| Lukas Van Ness | EDGE | Packers | +1500 |
| Emmanuel Forbes | CB | Commanders | +2000 |
| Nolan Smith | LB | Eagles | +2200 |
| Will McDonald | LB | Jets | +2200 |
| Calijah Kancey | DT | Buccaneers | +2500 |
| Joey Porter | CB | Steelers | +2500 |
| Deonte Banks | CB | Giants | +3000 |
| Cam Smith | CB | Dolphins | +3000 |
| Felix Anudike-Uzomah | DT | Chiefs | +3500 |
| Brian Branch | S | Lions | +3500 |
| Myles Murphy | EDGE | Bengals | +3500 |
| Drew Sanders | LB | Broncos | +4500 |
2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year – The Favorites
Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Houston Texans +400
The Texans liked Anderson so much that they traded future draft capital to re-enter the draft and pick Anderson 3rd overall. It’s not hard to see why. Anderson is a two-time All-American, and he was the 2021 and 2022 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Anderson amassed 34.5 sacks and 58.5 tackles for loss in three seasons at Alabama. Anderson’s 2022 season was not as good as his ridiculous 2021 season, but still, the talent is undeniable. I see why he is chalk, but I would not bet Anderson to win this award.
Jalen Carter, DL, Philadelphia Eagles +700
Carter was the best player in this year’s draft class, not named Bryce Young, so there is no surprise the human wrecking ball is the 2nd favorite to win the award. Carter will have to compete for snaps because the Eagles’ front seven is so deep and talented, but Carter should be able to make an impact immediately. In three seasons at Georgia, Carter finished with six sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss, and 83 tackles. He was a one-time All-American. It is hard to bet Carter to win because the Eagles are so good his production could get lost in the mix, but he is too talented to ignore.
Christian Gonzales, CB, New England Patriots +950
The Patriots covet certain types of players, and Gonzales fits the Patriots’ mold to a tee. Gonzales was expected to go in the top 10, and despite his slight draft slide, he should be in for an impactful rookie season. The Patriots have turned a ton of cornerbacks into studs, and Gonzales should be next in line. He is my pick to win this award, and he certainly deserves to have the third-highest odds of any rookie to take home this award.
2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year – Value Bets
Emmanuel Forbes, DB, Washington Commanders +2000
Forbes was the 2nd cornerback selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has a chance to make an impact in Washington right away. The Commanders sport one of the best defensive lines in football, so Forbes will have a plethora of opportunities to do what he does best – be a ballhawk. Forbes recorded 14 interceptions in his three collegiate seasons, and he returned six of them for touchdowns. He also recorded 20 passes defended over that stretch as well. If Forbes’ nose for the football is apparent all season, and he scores a touchdown or two, he will certainly be in the running for this award.
Brian Branch, DB, Detroit Lions +3500
Branch fell on draft night, but he can prove everyone wrong with a strong season. The Lions are already dealing with two injuries to defensive backs they signed in free agency, and Branch needs to be the guy to step up. If he does, he can certainly put his name in the hat for this award. Branch had 172 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, and 19,5 tackles for a loss during his three-year career at Alabama.
2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year – Longshot Bet
Mazi Smith, DT, Dallas Cowboys +4000
Smith probably is not winning this award, but he could be a solid contributor for Dallas right away. With Micha Parsons taking up so much attention, if Smith can make the QBs life hell from the inside, he has a chance to earn some consideration for this award. With that being said, this is a very long shot but could be worth a sprinkle.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WINNERS
- 2022 – CB Sauce Gardner, New York Jets
- 2021 – LB Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
- 2020 – DE Chase Young, Washington Football Team
- 2019 – DL Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
- 2018 – LB Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
- 2017 – DB Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
- 2016 – DL Joey Bosa, San Diego Chargers
- 2015 – DB Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2014 – DL Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams
- 2013 – DL Sheldon Richardson, New York Jets
- 2012 – LB Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
- 2011 – DL Von Miller, Denver Broncos
- 2010 – DL Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
NFL GoldSheet
GoldSheet’s three primary products – The Football GoldSheet, Extra, and Confidential Kickoff – are being combined into one product for the 2023-24 football season. The Football GoldSheet features a write-up on EVERY college football and NFL game for the upcoming week, along with some basic stats, power ratings, the strength of schedule, and week-by-week stat logs. Confidential Kickoff features a head-to-head matchup look at the advanced stat logs, complete with turnover differentials, yards per point, and some more in-depth numbers. Extra was created for the technical handicapper that enjoys historical trends and angles. We’ll dip into the database to share some notable trends as they pop up throughout the season.
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