NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds 2023: Will Anderson Jr. Comes Out of Draft as Early Favorite
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)
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Season | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sauce Gardner, CB | Jets |
| 2021 | Micah Parsons, LB | Cowboys |
| 2020 | Chase Young, DE | Washington |
| 2019 | Nick Bosa, DE | 49ers |
| 2018 | Shaquille Leonard, LB | Colts |
| 2017 | Marshon Lattimore, CB | Saints |
| 2016 | Joey Bosa, DE | Chargers |
| 2015 | Marcus Peters, CB | Chiefs |
| 2014 | Aaron Donald, DT | Rams |
| 2013 | Sheldon Richardson, DT | Jets |
| 2012 | Luke Kuechly, LB | Panthers |
| 2011 | Von Miller, LB | Broncos |
| 2010 | Ndamukong Suh, DT | Lions |
| 2009 | Brian Cushing, LB | Texans |
| 2008 | Jerod Mayo, LB | Patriots |
| 2007 | Patrick Willis, LB | 49ers |
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.
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