NFL Defensive Player Of The Year Race Betting Preview

Heading into the 2021 NFL season, the odds for the Defensive Player of the Year award have officially been set. As you would expect, the reigning winner of this award is among the early favorites but there are also a few unfamiliar faces. Here, we will be going over the four players who have the best odds at winning the trophy by the time this season comes to a close, starting off with a member of the Cleveland Browns.

Myles Garrett

The 2020 season wasn’t too kind to the Browns superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett. He had tested positive for COVID-19 mid-way through the season and claimed to be at around 50 percent the rest of the year. Still, he posted 12 sacks and was ridiculously disruptive in the run game. Given how the Browns are likely to be in Super Bowl contention this season, Garrett could have team success behind him as well once he makes his case at the end of the year.

Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald may be facing voter fatigue this season, which may be the only thing standing in his way of another DPOY award. Last season, Donald won the award by claiming 13.5 sacks and 76 quarterback pressures. He was without a doubt one of the most dominant defensive players on the field last season and has been for quite a while now. It seems like he is being double, and triple teamed on almost every snap, yet he is still able to get after the quarterback on a consistent basis.  

TJ Watt

TJ Watt should be more than ready to claim this award after many believed he was robbed last season. He finished in second place for the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020 despite having a fantastic season overall. He led the NFL in both tackles for loss with 23, and sacks with 15. The Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher was all over the field and it didn’t seem like anybody could stop him. Had it not been for the continued excellence of Donald, Watt would have been the clear-cut favorite last season. Watt even missed a game and still led the league in multiple categories.

Chase Young

Chase Young ended his rookie season with a bang, claiming the Defensive Rookie of the Year award with a monstrous year. It seemed as if this entire Washington Football Team defense completely changes once Young started to get himself onto the field. Injuries set him back a small bit last year, but he still ended with 7.5 sacks, 44 tackles, a touchdown ad four passes defended. According to Next Gen Stats, Washington was able to hold onto a 30.3 pressure rate with Young rushing the passer. However, that number dropped all the way down to 24.6 when he was taken off. Young has already proved to be a dominant rusher in this league and now that he isn’t a rookie, Defensive Player of the Year is still in his range.