The Defensive Rookie of the Year Award candidates are beginning to take shape after the conclusion of Week 4 of the 2023 season. Below, we will look at the players with the best odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Award Favorites
Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles (+100)
The heavy favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award in the NFL, the Eagles’ Jalen Carter has dominated over his team’s first four games. The Georgia product has been menacing in the middle of the Philadelphia defensive line, forcing two fumbles while accumulating 1.5 sacks, eight tackles, two TFLs, and two quarterback hits. He is a big reason Philly is holding opposing backfields to 3.3 yards per rush attempt.
Will Anderson, LB, Houston Texans (+650)
The third-overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Anderson has been instrumental in Houston’s early success to start the season. He has 15 tackles, five QB hits, and a TFL in the early going while playing nearly 70% of his team’s snaps. After allowing about 25 points per game last season, the Texans are sitting under 20 points per game allowed for the first time since 2018.
Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots (+700)
The six-foot-two Christian Gonzalez has been fantastic for the New England Patriots in 2023. He is all over the field, with 17 tackles, one TFL, a sack, an interception, and three pass deflections. All this while going against some of the best receivers in the NFL, like A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, and Tyreek Hill. However, the Oregon product expects to miss time after injuring his shoulder in his team’s 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Best of the Rest
Brian Branch, S, Detroit Lions (+1800)
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks (+2000)
Tuli Tuipulotu, LB, Los Angeles Chargers (+2500)
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Washington Commanders (+2800)
Keion White, DE, New England Patriots (+3000)
Ivan Pace, LB, Minnesota Vikings (+3000)
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas City Chiefs (+3000)
Brian Branch, one of the first safeties off the board, has stuffed the stat sheet in 2023. He returned a Patrick Mahomes interception for a touchdown in Week 1 while adding 25 tackles over the season’s first month. The Seakawks’ Devon Witherspoon showed out on Monday Night Football in Week 4, including a pick-six of the Giants’ Daniel Jones.
The Los Angeles Chargers found a good one in linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu. The 21-year-old backer has 17 tackles and two sacks in 2023. The third corner on this list, Washington’s Emmanuel Forbes, has an interception, five pass breakups, and 18 tackles for a surprising Commanders’ defense. Alongside Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots’ Keion White was another defender selected early in the 2023 NFL draft. Undrafted linebacker Ivan Pace continues to climb up the odds leaderboard, thanks to 25 tackles to start the year. Lastly, Felix Anudike-Uzomah has played solid snaps for a stellar KC defense.
