Defensive Rookie of the Year Contenders, Betting Odds

Detroit’s pass defense has been borderline abysmal (as usual). That means Okudah could see more passes thrown his way – at least, early on. If Okudah routinely displays the skills that made him one of the top picks, he could surprise en route to winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

No. 4 Patrick Queen +900

The former LSU star linebacker might have been the 28th overall pick and the fourth linebacker taken, but he’s entering a great situation as he joins a Baltimore Ravens squad that already has an elite defense. Queen is a playmaker that has sideline-to-sideline skills that will translate well in Baltimore’s defensive schemes. Queen has 85 tackles as a junior at LSU last season while recording 12 tackles for loss and one interception.

He’ll be suiting up for a great head coach in John Harbaugh that will consistently put him a position to make game-changing plays and that is why I like Queen to challenge for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

No. 3 Chase Young +200

Let me start by saying that, rarely has there been a defensive end come into the NFL with the clear-cut gifts that former Ohio State superstar Chase Young possesses. Young recorded a stellar 16.5 sacks as a junior last season. He had a mind-boggling 21 tackles for loss. All of this while routinely blowing up opposing offenses’ whether they were trying to pass or run the ball.

The 6-5, 264-pounder has rare speed and agility for a player of his size. He’s entering a rebuilding situation in Washington, which is now being run by no-nonsense former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera. Still, I don’t think Young will be able to affect the outcome of games at the defensive end position as much as some other rookies that play linebacker or defensive back in today’s pass-happy times. Young is supremely gifted and will start right away. That makes him a great pick to potentially win the 2020 Defensive ROY award.

No. 2 Kenneth Murray +1400

Linebacker Kenneth Murray doesn’t get nearly enough national media attention for his exploits at the University of Oklahoma. I love the 6-2, 214-pound Murray’s play-making ability to stuff the run and cover both tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. Murray racked up a stupendous 155 tackles and 12,5 tackles and 4.5 sacks for loss as a sophomore two years ago. He backed that up with 102 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and four sacks as a junior.

Murray rarely gets caught out of position. He’s got a nose for the ball that makes him a perfect fit for a Chargers defense. Their defense is rock-solid upfront and features a pair of elite pass rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Murray is already at the top of the Bolts’ depth chart at linebacker. This means he will have ample opportunity to make plays while putting himself in a position to win the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

No. 1 Isaiah Simmons +500

Isaiah Simmons was the eighth overall pick by Arizona and the third defensive player selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. I genuinely believe he has a chance to be the best defensive player in this draft for years to come. The former Clemson linebacker had an impressive 104 tackles as a redshirt junior in 2019. He also had eight tackles for loss while picking off three passes. I love Simmons’ vast sideline-to-sideline play-making skill-set. That includes his ability to stuff the run, rush the passer, cover running backs out of the backfield, and tight ends down the seams.

Simmons will start at right outside linebacker for the Cardinals. NFL sports betting buffs like you will get to see his immense skills from Day 1 as the athletically gifted rookie contends to win the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award!