The 2022 NFL Draft wasn’t known for its plethora of elite quarterback prospects. Instead, this year’s draft class featured many high-caliber players on the defensive side of football.
The draft’s first five players were all defenders — three edge rushers and two cornerbacks. Eleven more defensive prospects went in the first round after that, bringing the total to 16 out of 32 picks. For reference, 14 defensive players went in the first round in 2021, with just four in the first 16 picks.
While no one is explicitly saying how to bet on football, there are several defensive rookies who stand out in the latest NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. Here are some of the notable names, along with a prediction for who will walk away with the hardware.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
Travon Walker may have been the first-overall pick, but the new Jacksonville Jaguar is not the favorite to win DROTY. That honor belongs to Aidan Hutchinson, the former Michigan pass rusher who went second overall to the Detroit Lions.
Hutchinson is currently +450 to win the award. Next up is Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Oregon star who went fifth to the New York Giants at +550. Walker then follows up with his fellow Edges with +600 odds.
The NFL betting odds don’t stop at those three. Devin Lloyd is the highest non-edge on the list, as the Jaguars linebacker is +800. Jermaine Johnson and Quay Walker are both at +900 — each of whom went in the late first round to the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers, respectively.
While a defensive back winning the award is a rarity, there are three players who all have equal odds of joining this exclusive club. Cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and safety Kyle Hamilton each have +1000 odds. Stingley and Gardner went third and fourth to the Houston Texans and New York Jets, respectively, while Hamilton fell to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 14.
There are five more players, each sharing odds better than +2000. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis leads the way at +1500, followed by Kansas City Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie and Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean at +1600. New Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam and Chiefs EDGE George Karlaftis are each sitting at +1800.
Three first-round defenders are longshots to win the award. Devonte Wyatt, the D-tackle who went 28th overall to the Packers, is just +2500. Meanwhile, the round closed with safeties from Daxton Hill of the Cincinnati Bengals and Lewis Cine of the Minnesota Vikings. But despite being first-rounders, each has +3300 odds for the award.
Meanwhile, Dean (+1600) has the best odds of winning DROTY among all non-first-rounders. The former Georgia linebacker fell all the way to the third round due to injury concerns. Cornerback Andrew Booth (+2000) also has solid odds despite going 42nd overall to Minnesota.
2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year Prediction
There are a few NFL betting tips that might help figure out which defensive rookie is in line to win the Rookie of the Year award.
First, only three defensive backs have won this award since the 1993 season. While two of those (Marcus Peters in 2015 and Marshon Lattimore in 2017) were in more recent seasons, it doesn’t bode well for someone like Gardner, Stingley, or Hamilton.
Next, the vast majority of DROTY recipients were first-round picks. Since 2000, the only non-first-round winners have been Kendrell Bell (2001), DeMeco Ryans (2006), and Darius Leonard (2018). Therefore, the smart money is on one of the first-round prospects claiming the hardware in 2022.
Typically, voting favors the rookies who can sack the quarterback. In the last ten years, premier pass rushers like Von Miller (2011), Aaron Donald (2014), and the Bosa brothers (Joey in 2016 and Nick in 2019) have all secured the trophy after stellar campaigns. The last two victors — Chase Young and Micah Parsons — also secured impressive sack totals.
So what does this mean for this year’s race? Bettors should look for high-ceiling pass rushers who went in the first round. Fittingly, the oddsmakers made the top three EDGE prospects (Walker, Hutchinson, Thibodeaux) the odds-on favorites for DROTY.
Out of those three, our pick is Thibodeaux. Largely considered the most talented prospect in this year’s class, the eccentric star fell to fifth over concerns about his love of football. However, the Giants believe he’s big personality will help him anchor a defense that’s in need of a major overhaul.
With New York’s newest defensive coordinator, Don “Wink” Martindale bringing a blitz-heavy scheme to the Big Apple, Thibodeaux will be getting after the quarterback on each and every snap. If his production matches his potential, he’ll be heavily in the mix to win the award. Not to mention, the big market surrounding him will only help his case.
There are many great options for Defensive Rookie of the Year. But when scouring the NFL betting odds, take Thibodeaux to win the award.
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