Skip to main content
Will Anderson Jr. poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as we look at the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
Will Anderson Jr. poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images via AFP.

The Houston Texans made the first big splash of the 2023 NFL Draft by trading back up to No. 3 to land former Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. to pair with QB C.J. Stroud. Here are the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds.

The Houston Texans will look to follow the lead of the New York Jets and boast the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year winners in the same season after selecting QB C.J. Stroud and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, in the first round of the draft. We've looked at Stroud's Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, and Anderson is set as an early favorite by the Defensive Rookie of the Year odds.

Check out below for our look at the best 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds from our best NFL betting sites.

Defensive Rookie of the Year odds

(Odds update Saturday, April 29)

PlayerDraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsPointsBet
Will Anderson Jr.+350+340 ❄️+350+500 🔥+350
Jalen Carter+750 🔥+600+600+500 ❄️+550
Tyree Wilson+800 🔥+750+700+650 ❄️+750
Devon Witherspoon+900+1100 🔥+900+1000+800 ❄️
Christian Gonzalez+1000+1100+1000+1000+1200 🔥
Lukas Van Ness+1200+1400+1200+1000 ❄️+1400
Emmanuel Forbes+1400 ❄️+1700 🔥+1600+1500+1600
Nolan Smith+1600+2200+1600+2000+2200
Joey Porter Jr.+2000+2500+2000+2200+2500
Myles Murphy+2000+2800+2000+3000 🔥+2000
Drew Sanders+2000+2500+2000+3000 🔥+2000
Will McDonald IV+2000+2500+2000+4000 🔥+2500
Deonte Banks+2000 +2000+2000+2200 🔥+1800 ❄️
Brian Branch+2000+2300+2000+3000 🔥+1600 ❄️
Felix Anudike-Uzomah+2000+1800 ❄️+2000+3000 🔥+2000
Calijah Kancey+2500+2500+2500+2500+2500
Bryan Bresee+2500 ❄️+4500 🔥+3000+4000+3300
Jack Campbell+1800+1800+1800+2500 🔥+1600 ❄️

Defensive Rookie of the Year odds analysis

Credit to DraftKings for being the first of our best sports betting sites to release Defensive Rookie of the Year odds following Round 1. Notably, DraftKings' opening odds listed several players who weren't called on Thursday night ahead of some who were and there wasn't much change once their landing spots were discovered Friday night.

To offset this potential risk, DraftKings is offering conservative pricing across the board. It'll be best to wait for more books to offer odds to ensure a price-shopping opportunity.

Defensive Rookie of the Year odds movement

Expect a lot of odds movement in this market as more of our best NFL betting sites offer Defensive Rookie of the Year odds.

From there, movement will continue through the remainder of the NFL offseason as rookie camps lead into training camps. Injuries, player movement, and any news on player usage for the upcoming season will also play a role in adjusting the odds.

Defensive Rookie of the Year 2023: Favorite

Will Anderson Jr. (+500 via Caesars)

The top defensive pick in the draft joins a team fronted by Demeco Ryans, the former defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. However, it should take some time before Anderson and Ryans are able to make a significant impact. The Houston Texans are currently too short on supporting talent.

Defensive Rookie of the Year 2023: Contender

Tyree Wilson (+800 via DraftKings)

The Las Vegas Raiders took the freakish defensive talent with the seventh overall pick and will line him up opposite Maxx Crosby on the defensive line. If you can stomach trusting a Raiders draft pick to pan out, +800 might represent great early value.

Defensive Rookie of the Year 2023: Long shot

Emmanuel Forbes (+1700 via FanDuel)

The Washington Commanders' first-round pick possesses the traits to make an immediate impact. At Mississippi State, the ballhawking corner racked up six interceptions in his senior season and 14 across three seasons. If those instincts translate to the NFL, he'll be a top contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Defensive Rookie of the Year 2023: Fade

Jalen Carter (+750 via DraftKings)

Former Georgia star Jalen Carter was hailed as the top talent in the draft and likely would have been the No. 1 pick if not for off-field issues. But for all his talent, there's no guarantee he will see much of the field in his rookie season. The Philadelphia Eagles boast Super Bowl expectations and last year's first-round pick - defensive tackle Jordan Davis - saw just 224 snaps across 13 games.

Recent NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners

SeasonPlayerTeam
2022Sauce Gardner, CBJets
2021Micah Parsons, LBCowboys
2020Chase Young, DEWashington
2019Nick Bosa, DE49ers
2018Shaquille Leonard, LBColts
2017Marshon Lattimore, CBSaints
2016Joey Bosa, DEChargers
2015Marcus Peters, CBChiefs
2014Aaron Donald, DTRams
2013Sheldon Richardson, DTJets
2012Luke Kuechly, LBPanthers
2011Von Miller, LBBroncos
2010Ndamukong Suh, DTLions
2009Brian Cushing, LBTexans
2008Jerod Mayo, LBPatriots
2007Patrick Willis, LB49ers

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year FAQs

Who won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Sauce Gardner breezed to the award after a lockdown season.

Who is the Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite?

Houston Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. is the early favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award with +350 odds via DraftKings.

When will the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year be decided?

The awards are handed out at NFL Honors during Super Bowl Week. Super Bowl LVIII will be held Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

Here are our best NFL betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Related pages