Tag: Defensive Rookie of the Year

Marlon Davidson named one of TD Wire’s Rookie of the Year favorites

Davidson was compared to Grady Jarrett coming out of college, and if that ends up being true, the sky is the limit for what should be a vastly improved Falcons defensive line in 2020.

While not everyone agreed with the Atlanta Falcons‘ decision to select Clemson’s A.J. Terrell in the first round of the 2020 draft, it was easy to understand the logic behind the pick.

The team’s selection of Auburn’s Marlon Davidson in the second round got a much better reception from fans and analysts. At 6′ 3″ and over 300 pounds, Davidson’s size and pass-rushing ability make him a perfect 4-3 defensive tackle.

What makes him even more valuable, though, is his ability to line up at defensive end and provide reps outside if need be. Grady Jarrett and Dante Fowler will be the focal points of opposing offensive lines, which could leave Davidson in position to thrive as a rookie.

In Touchdown Wire’s best bests for 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year feature, Doug Farrar mentioned Davidson as a player capable of winning the award:

Davidson wasn’t always the ideal edge defender for Auburn at 6’3″ and 303 pounds, but Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is one of the NFL’s most creative defensive line schemers, and Davidson should be an every-gap star in that system. He lined up everywhere from head-over center to off-ball in college — expect the same in the pros.

Davidson was compared to Grady Jarrett coming out of college, and if that ends up being true, the sky is the limit for what should be a vastly improved Falcons defensive line in 2020.

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Jaylon Johnson among best bets to win Defensive Rookie of the Year

One of Jaylon Johnson’s goals is to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and there are some that believe he has a good chance to do just that.

The Chicago Bears got a steal in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who many had pegged as a first-round talent.

But concerns with his injury history scared teams in the first round, which allowed him to fall to the second round and right to the Bears at pick No. 50. There were six cornerbacks taken ahead of Johnson, and he’s determined to prove those teams that passed over him wrong.

“The way I took it is [other teams] feel like there were so many other corners better than me that I couldn’t add value to that organization,” Johnson said, via ChicagoBears.com. “So for me, at the end of the day, I’m going to go out every week and show who I am, what I could’ve been for any team that would have selected me and really just give back to the team that did pick me and show love to them.”

Johnson isn’t shying away from lofty goals for his rookie season. One of those goals is to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and there are some that believe he has a good chance to do just that.

Touchdown Wire‘s Doug Farrar believes Johnson is among the best bets to win the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

It’s a mystery why Johnson lasted until the 50th overall pick in the second round — the Utah cornerback never allowed an opponent passer rating higher than 57.6 in three high-target seasons. Whether in zone or man, press or off-coverage, Johnson has the athleticism and diagnostic abilities to be one of the best NFL defenders in this draft class.

Considering Johnson is expected to be the favorite to land the starting right cornerback job opposite Kyle Fuller, this is an easy bet to make. But Johnson will have to win the starting job over Kevin Toliver, Tre Roberson and Artie Burns.

Although given Johnson’s talent and determination to make waves in his rookie season, it’s expected that he’ll win the starting job and get an opportunity to compete for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

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Ravens LB Patrick Queen has 3rd-best odds at Defensive Rookie of the Year award

The Ravens newest linebacker is among the front runners to take the award for the best rookie on the defensive side of the ball in 2020

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Some players, when they enter the NFL, can take a while to adjust to the professional game. Others take to it immediately and begin to stamp their name and authority all over the league. Players who fall into the latter category will usually find their names come into consideration for awards at the end of their first season.

Ravens fans will be hoping this applies to first-year linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen is tied for the third-best odds to win the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, according to BetMGM. Only Washington pass rusher Chase Young (11/5) and Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons (11/2) have shorter odds than Queen, who can be got at 11/1. This is the same odds as fellow linebacker Kenneth Murray, who was picked five spots earlier. Jeff Okudah, the cornerback for the Detroit Lions, is currently sitting as a 14/1, making him the fifth favorite.

Linebackers have a track record of success in taking home the DROTY prize since the dawn of the 21st century. Of the 20 winners since 2000, 12 have come from the linebacker ranks. The most recent was Darius Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts after he led the NFL with 163 combined tackles in 2018.

A Ravens rookie hasn’t taken the prize since 2003 when Terrell Suggs won the award after he posted 12 sacks and forced five fumbles in his first NFL season. But another member of the current Ravens squad has experience of winning the award. Cornerback Marcus Peters captured the trophy in 2015 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Peters led the NFL with eight interceptions as a rookie, with two returned for touchdowns. Peters also led all players with 280 return yards and 26 passes defended.

For those in search of an outsider, another Ravens rookie can be had at longer odds than Queen. Malik Jefferson has odds of 80/1, making him the 23rd-best option, according to BetMGM.

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Chargers LB Kenneth Murray has third-best odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year

High expectations are already being set for Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray.

Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray is pegged as having the third-best odds to win the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year award at +1000, per BetMGM.

Redskins defensive end Chase Young has the highest odds at +250, followed by Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons at +600. Behind Murray is Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen at 1100 and Lions cornerback Jeffrey Okudah at +1400.

Los Angeles had their eyes on Murray and they didn’t want to take the chance of seeing if they would be there in the second-round when they were on the clock again, so they traded up 14 spots with the Patriots to draft him with the No. 23 overall selection.

Not only was Murray’s tape impressive at Oklahoma. He aced the pre-draft process, exemplifying his high character, which is why L.A. traded up for him. His outstanding play speed, competitive energy and tackling prowess is exactly what the positional group needs.

Murray joins Drue Tranquill, the former fourth-round selection from last year, who had an phenomenal rookie season. With Murray and Tranquill on the field at the same time, it’ll be difficult for running backs to have any kind of success.

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Grant Delpit opens with 3rd-best odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year

He was the 19th defensive player drafted

Grant Delpit fell all the way to the No. 44 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. When the Browns picked the LSU safety in the middle of the second round, Delpit became the 19th defensive player to come off the board.

Yet the early odds for Defensive Rookie of the Year from BetMGM and other outlets have Delpit pegged in the top five candidates to win. After No. 2 overall pick Chase Young and No. 8 overall Isaiah Simmons, Delpit is next on the list. He’s got the same +1500 odds as No. 3 overall pick, Jeff Okudah, and Buffalo’s second-round pick at No. 54, A.J. Epenesa.

Delpit has better odds to win than Xavier McKinney, a fellow SEC safety taken earlier in the second round.

It’s a reflection on both the talent Delpit brings but also the opportunity to get on the field and make an immediate impact in Cleveland.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

Nick Bosa named Defensive Rookie of the Year

Nick Bosa won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

It felt like a formality. Nick Bosa, the 49ers’ rookie defensive end, was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year on Saturday night at the NFL Honors ceremony. He won two other unofficial DROY awards, and was the favorite to win the official version.

While Bosa’s 9.0 sacks weren’t the most among first-year players, he had a massive impact on a once-anemic 49ers pass rush, and his presence off the edge was apparent even when he wasn’t racking up sacks.

He was constantly in opponents backfields, moving quarterbacks around and forcing them into sacks or bad throws. Bosa posted 25 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for loss to go along with his 9.0 sacks, and 80 quarterback pressures. He also shined as a run stopper, both setting the edge and flying down the line on runs away from him.

The three plays that separate Bosa from a typical pass rusher were three pass breakups he had in coverage.

He intercepted a screen pass from Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen after avoiding a cut block, then taking a step back and leaping to snag the throw. Then he rumbled 47 yards and nearly scored. In Week 14 he made a similar play where he avoided a block and then jumped to knock a swing pass out of the air intended for running back Alvin Kamara. Then in the playoffs, the Vikings had running back Dalvin Cook matched up on Bosa, and the rookie stuck with the running back for a diving pass breakup.

There weren’t a lot of ways to beat Bosa in his first year. He was excellent in all facets, and it’s hard to imagine he’s not in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation for a long time. A Rookie of the Year is just the start for the 2019 No. 2 overall pick.

Josh Allen holds second-best odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year award

After a solid rookie campaign, Jacksonville Jaguars pass-rusher Josh Allen will head into the weekend of the NFL’s annual Honors awards with pretty good odds to be crowned Defensive Rookie of the Year. In fact, according to Sports Betting Dime, only …

After a solid rookie campaign, Jacksonville Jaguars pass-rusher Josh Allen will head into the weekend of the NFL’s annual Honors awards with pretty good odds to be crowned Defensive Rookie of the Year. In fact, according to Sports Betting Dime, only one player has better odds and that’s Nick Bosa with odds of 1/50.

As for Allen, he currently shares the second-best odds with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush as both currently have odds of 10/1. That said, it appears both rookies will need an upset at Saturday’s award show, which will start at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Bosa has been the guy leading the charge for the award in the eyes of oddsmakers for quite some time. He started in all but two games in the regular season and managed to accumulate 47 total tackles, nine sacks, a forced fumble, and a pick. His contributions to the San Francisco 49ers’ defense is a huge reason they had regular season success and will be playing in Super Bowl LIV Sunday.

As for Allen, he came just short of Bosa in tackles with 44 but beat him out in the sacks category this regular season with 10.5. He also registered one more forced fumble than Bosa. As a result, he was voted into the Pro Bowl and became the Jags’ first rookie to achieve the feat.

Most tend to think Bosa should be able to hold off Allen and Bush Saturday, however, if there is a case to be made for Allen it’s the fact that he only started in four games to Bosa’s total of 16 and still managed to register nearly the same amount of tackles and more sacks.

Regardless as to what happens in terms of the award, fans can be happy about what the future holds for Allen. In 2020 he should be even more polished, and if he starts, he could be a 14-plus sack type of player.