The 2022 NFL season is starting to creep closer and closer with each passing day and that gives us a chance to analyze some of our favorite futures bets. In this article, we will be looking at the odds and contenders for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Following in the footsteps of Micah Parsons will not be easy due to the extraordinary season the rookie had last year. The DROY award was close for the first couple of weeks, but Parsons ran away with the award as the season progressed. Parsons is now the 3rd pass rusher to win the DROY in the last 3 years, a trend that could continue in 2022 as several of the top contenders to win the award are pass rushers. Let’s look at the DROY odds, my best bet, and my best longshot to win the award.
Let’s take a look at the odds and the best bets to be made.
2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
DE Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions): +600
DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (New York Giants): +600
EDGE Travon Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars): +1000
S Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore Ravens): +1000
CB Ahmad Gardner (New York Jets): +1200
CB Derek Stingley Jr. (Houston Texans): +1200
EDGE Jermaine Johnson (New York Jets): +1200
LB Quay Walker (Green Bay Packers): +1200
CB Trent McDuffie (Kansas City Chiefs): +2000
LB Devin Lloyd (Jacksonville Jaguars): +2000
CB Kaiir Elam (Buffalo Bills): +2000
DL George Karlaftis (Kansas City Chiefs): +2000
Read our best bets and analysis for the Super Bowl here
2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year best bet: Kayvon Thibodeaux (+600)
Kayvon Thibodeaux is exactly the type of player that wins the DROY. He’s a pass-rushing specialist with freak athleticism that will enter a blitz-heavy defense — that’s a recipe for a breakout rookie season. At Oregon, Thibodeaux stood out due to his speed on the outside and recorded 19 sacks in 3 seasons. Now on the New York Giants, Thibodeaux is ready to make an immediate impact in a defensive scheme that seems designed for him. Don Martindale was a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for the Ravens before parting ways with Baltimore to join the Giants as their new DC for the 2022 season.
Being a former linebackers coach should help the connection between Martindale and Thibodeaux, as the two should get along quite nicely. During his time as DC for the Ravens, they finished 1st in blitz rate in 3 of the 4 years, so I expect the Giants to have a much higher blitz rate this upcoming season which gives Thibodeaux plenty of opportunities to showcase his abilities. Sacks have become a key factor in the DROY voting, so Thibodeaux is set up nicely for a run at the award.
Check out our advice for the AFC Championship and NFC Championship
2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year best longshot bet: Kaiir Elam (+2000)
He’s not a pass rusher, but Kaiir Elam was one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. He had an outstanding career at Florida where he continued to perform against some of the best wide receivers in college football. At 6’2 and 193 pounds, Elam finished in the 90th percentile in the 40-yard dash and his athleticism is truly impressive. He will join a Bills defense that was one of the best in the league last season, but with Levi Wallace leaving during free agency and Tre’Davious White returning from a torn ACL, he has the opportunity to shine.
It’s unclear if White will be ready in time for the season, so that could give Elam a chance to face some of the best wide receivers on the opposing team. If Elam steps up to the challenge as he did at Florida, he will earn a lot of attention. It also helps that Elam will develop in a defensive scheme that works well with corners under Leslie Frazier and Sean McDermott. Expect Buffalo to continue their constant pass rush and force opposing quarterbacks to make errors in the secondary.
Lock in our Offensive Rookie of the Year best bets, including a pick at +4000 odds!
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