With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead to the 2020 NFL season for futures bets. Below, we’ll take a look at the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds and figuring out the best bets, ones you should avoid and long-shot picks. So, without further ado, let’s get into the odds, courtesy of BetMGM sportsbook.
2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
Below are the 10 favorites. Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Wednesday, May 13 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
- Chase Young, DE, Washington Redskins +220
- Isaiah Simmons, LB, Arizona Cardinals +550
- Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens +1100
- Kenneth Murray, LB, Los Angeles Chargers +1100
- Jeff Okudah, CB, Detroit Lions +1400
- K’Lavon Chaisson, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars +2000
- Jordyn Brooks, LB, Seattle Seahawks +2500
- Derrick Brown, CL, Carolina Panthers +2500
- Willie Gay Jr., LB, Kansas City Chiefs +2500
- Javon Kinlaw, DL, San Francisco 49ers + 2500
2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year best bets
Favorite: Chase Young +220
Not surprisingly, Young, the No. 2 overall pick, has the best odds to win the award. In his last two seasons at Ohio State, Young tallied 35.5 tackles for a loss and 27 sacks despite being constantly double-teamed.
Young went to a fantastic situation in the NFL as he will play with an already established defensive line. He will certainly get his fair share of attention, but don’t be surprised if he posts similar numbers to what former Buckeyes teammate DE Nick Bosa did for the 49ers as a rookie.
If Young can accumulate double-digit sacks and be a force against the run game, he should be a shoo-in to win the award. At +220, Young isn’t a bad bet given just how incredibly talented he is. It is worth noting that two other Ohio State DE products (Bosa and his brother Joey Bosa) have won the award since 2016.
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Best bet: Patrick Queen +1100
One of the better bets on the board is Queen. Much like Young, Queen is entering a perfect situation for his skill set. In front of him is one of the best defensive lines in football, which should protect him from seeing many blockers. With Queen’s outstanding sideline-to-sideline speed and instincts, he should be able to rack up the tackles on an already good defense.
If Queen can become the Ravens’ tackle leader and help them win the AFC North, he will certainly get votes for the award. Look for Queen to have a Darius Leonard-like impact for the Ravens in Year 1 – Leonard, an Indianapolis Colts linebacker, won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018.
Bet to avoid: Jeff Okudah +1400
Despite being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, betting on Okudah to win this award seems like the wrong play. In general, cornerbacks don’t win this award very often as it typically takes them some time to get used to the speed and physicality of the NFL.
Since 2000, only two cornerbacks (Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints and Marcus Peters of the Chiefs) have won the award. During their rookie campaigns, Lattimore had five interceptions and Peters picked off eight as their respective teams each went 11-5. The Lions aren’t in the same class as the Saints and Chiefs, and it seems likely that Detroit will have a top-10 draft pick once again next season.
It also doesn’t help that there isn’t much help for Okudah on the rest of the Lions defense. It seems likely that teams will avoid targeting the rookie in favor of lesser defensive backs. While that means Okudah is doing his job, it won’t result in many turnovers for the rookie defender. Look for Okudah to quickly establish himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but don’t bet on him to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Darkhorse: Los Angeles Rams DB Terrell Burgess +6000
If you are looking for a long-shot bet, look no further than Burgess, who was taken in the third round of the NFL Draft. With Nickell Robey-Coleman leaving in free agency, the Rams had an opening at the slot cornerback position, which will likely be filled by Burgess.
In college, Burgess was a playmaking machine, racking up 81 tackles in 14 games for Utah. He has the flexibility to play all over the field and the coverage ability to match up with slot receivers. He should be on the field a ton as a rookie and with CB Jalen Ramsey holding down opponents’ No. 1 receiver, Burgess could see a ton of action. At 60-1 (+6000), Burgess is a fun darkhorse bet given how many snaps he is likely to play for the Rams.
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