As we arrive at the dawn of the next NFL season, many fans are holding their breaths to see how the incoming rookies perform. The 2023 Draft brought some top-end talent, and the defensive side of that draft will likely show out early. Sportsbooks have released their odds for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, and already some early favorites are standing out.
Let’s look at the five players that gambling sites have given the highest odds of winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Will Anderson (+350)
Will Anderson was taken by the Houston Texans with the third pick in the draft, and he will immediately slot into their starting rotation. There’s no doubt the superstar defensive end will start racking up sacks early, so it is understandable that major operators like BetRivers Canada would have Anderson leading the pack. Anderson has a rare combination of strength and speed that led to one of the most incredible defensive college careers we’ve seen, even against top SEC competition. It shouldn’t surprise fans or bettors if Anderson gets double-digit sacks and the major award.
Jalen Carter (+650)
Jalen Carter fell in the draft to the 9th overall pick following some off-the-field concerns. But he landed in a dream spot with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he will now be one of their defensive leaders. Carter is a wrecking ball of a defensive tackle who many thought was worthy of being the first defender taken this year. He is a disruptive interior pass rusher who can play the pass and run, and he’ll likely start straight away in Philadelphia. His odds are relatively low because there are still questions about how the Eagles will rotate their defensive line, but if he plays often, expect dominance.
Tyree Wilson (+750)
Tyree Wilson had a massive career at Texas Tech, leveraging his 6’6 build and elite athleticism to become one of college’s most feared defenders. The Las Vegas Raiders snapped him up with the 7th pick in the draft, and they will need him to be productive right away. Wilson will be in a rotation with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, two veterans with elite resumes, so learning from them will be important. With those two on the roster, Wilson might not see the playing time others on this list do, so consider that when wagering on those juicy odds.
Devon Witherspoon (+800)
The Seattle Seahawks made one of the more surprising picks of the draft when they snagged Devon Witherspoon with the 5th pick, but he will come in and be a high-level contributor straight away. Witherspoon will pair on the outside with last year’s breakout rookie Tariq Woolen and bring a new element to the team. Witherspoon is a hard-hitting cornerback who is physical and plays wide receivers aggressively at the line of scrimmage. If he and Woolen pair to make one of the league’s top CB duos, and the Seahawks’ defense takes several steps forward, Witherspoon might be a great underdog for gamblers to wager on.
Christian Gonzalez (+1000)
The New England Patriots have not had the best draft record in recent years, but selecting Christian Gonzalez with the 17th pick seems like a home run. Gonzalez had a massive year in his final college football season, shining for Oregon. He then displayed spectacular athleticism at the NFL Combine. He will likely be the Patriots’ immediate starter at outside cornerback, and there are high expectations for him to succeed straight away. He has heavy longshot odds to win the award, but if he can lock down his matchups and snag a few picks, he could very well earn the DROY.
