Steve Starr
- BetOnline‘s 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds favor Washington linebacker Jamin Davis (+400)
- Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (+1000) has the athleticism to rack up sacks and win the award
- Cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (+1000) and Patrick Surtain (+1200) look to reward their respective teams for passing on a quarterback in last April’s draft
After drafting last season’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young at No. 2 overall, the Washington Football Team may have struck gold again in the 2021 NFL Draft with No. 19 pick Jamin Davis.
The hybrid linebacker is a +400 favorite to win the DROY after a steady stream of rookie minicamp buzz shortened his odds all the way from +1500. However, be advised that the Colts Darius Leonard is the only inside linebacker to win the award since 2013.
Let’s look at the latest odds for the award, but before we do, make sure to check out our tips for betting on NFL football games.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
 |
|
| Jamin Davis | +400 |
| Micah Parsons | +550 |
| Jaelan Phillips | +700 |
| Jaycee Horn | +1000 |
| Kwity Paye | +1000 |
| Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | +1200 |
| Patrick Surtain II | +1200 |
| Zaven Collins | +1200 |
| Gregory Rousseau | +1800 |
| Odafe Oweh | +2000 |
| Asante Samuel Jr. | +2200 |
| Azeez Ojulari | +2200 |
| Caleb Farley | +2500 |
| Christian Barmore | +2500 |
| Trevon Moehrig-Woodard | +2500 |
| Greg Newsome II | +2800 |
| Nick Bolton | +2800 |
| Baron Browning | +4000 |
| Jabril Cox | +4000 |
| Eric Stokes | +5000 |
| Joe Tryon | +5000 |
| Joseph Ossai | +5000 |
| Payton Turner | +5000 |
| Ronnie Perkins | +5000 |
Two linebackers lead the way
Right behind Jamin Davis (+400) is another linebacker, Micah Parsons (+550), although the Cowboys were experimenting with their first-round pick at defensive end in camp. New DC Dan Quinn apparently plans to utilize the Penn State product in his “DPR” position — designated pass rusher — in addition to his middle linebacker duties.
Considering that three of the last five DROYs have gone to edge rushers, racking up sacks would help Parsons win the award (as well as help Dallas’ woeful defense), but learning a new position will be a big transition for the No. 12 overall pick.
Jeremy Reaves believes Jamin Davis has a chance to make a big impact right away. https://t.co/yQrNXvCNYP
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 25, 2021
Jaelan Phillips (+700) and Kwity Paye (+1000) are the top two edge rushers on the board. Miami drafted Phillips to pressure the opposing quarterback, but Dolphins GM Chris Grier has proven to be a poor talent evaluator to this point. Given Indianapolis GM Chris Ballard just selected the aforementioned Darius Leonard in 2018, his first-round selection might be the better bet.
Athletic, fast, and explosive off the ball, Paye’s attention to detail drew rave reviews from Colts DC Matt Eberflus and teammates during recent practices. The only fly in the ointment is 12 of the last 14 DROY winners were selected in the top 15 of their draft and Paye went No. 21 overall.
Best DROY longshot bets
Marshon Lattimore (2017) and Marcus Peters (2015) are the only two cornerbacks to capture a DROY award since Charles Woodson way back in 1998. If Jaycee Horn (+1000) can join that list, it would take a lot of pressure off the Carolina Panthers’ brain trust for passing on quarterback Justin Fields with their eighth-overall pick.
Ditto for Patrick Surtain (+1200) and the Denver Broncos, who made the same decision at No. 9 despite having Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock in their quarterback room.
Carolina Panthers rookie and former South Carolina star Jaycee Horn reveals the NFL advice he gets from his father.https://t.co/n11D9utffw pic.twitter.com/JA84oSGL2N
— 247Sports (@247Sports) June 19, 2021
Cardinals’ first-round linebacker Zaven Collins (+1200) made news for the wrong reasons last week by being arrested for speeding and reckless driving. Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is also available at +1200, however, Leonard is the only second-rounder in the past 14 seasons to win the award.
We’d skip over both and instead place a couple of longshot wagers on Gregory Rousseau (+1800) and Odafe Oweh (+2000), who went back-to-back to the Bills and Ravens, respectively, at the end of the first round. Both edge rushers play on Super Bowl contenders with savvy defensive minds calling the shots.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
