What a start to the NFL season it has been, filled with surprising teams and dominant contenders. In a thrilling start to the year, several players have stood out on the defensive side of the ball, and oddsmakers have certainly taken note.
There are a few players who have begun to pile up recognition and emerged as the favourites for the betting odds for the prestigious Defensive Player of the Year award. Let’s look at who some of these major contenders are.
T.J. Watt (+100)
T.J. Watt is one name that many have pegged as the presumptive favourite for the award, and it will be his second time earning this trophy if he does so. Most sports betting sites cover this area, and Watt makes for a savvy play for those looking to use their free bets on a valuable potential future. Watt has been the face of the Steelers’ defense that has been one of the tops in the league, and the defensive end/linebacker is a complete game-wrecker. With Watt, the only thing holding him back is his health, which is an issue that has popped up in the past.
Will Anderson (+450)
Will Anderson has emerged as one of the league’s best defensive ends in only his second year in the league. For those who want to get more bang for their buck, Anderson is a good solution. He is a powerful player who has been strong against the run and rushing the passer, but he lacks the flash plays that Watt has been making so far. However, Anderson is young and healthy and will only get better as the year goes on for a ferocious Texans defense. Keep an eye on the Alabama product.
Chris Jones (+550)
Shockingly for fans and bettors, Chris Jones has yet to earn the most prestigious defensive award despite a career that will likely end up getting him to the Hall of Fame. The Chiefs’ interior defensive lineman is a matchup nightmare who puts offensive linemen through a brutal experience, and his blend of power and speed for his size is too much to handle. What makes this a great value bet is the fact that Jones is the face of the Chiefs’ defense, and the team remains undefeated with strong defensive numbers. This could be another great use of a free bet offer.
Dexter Lawrence (+800)
Dexter Lawrence has long been one of the league’s top run stuffers as a defensive tackle, but this year, he is putting up huge numbers as a pass-rusher. This has led to some labelling him as a unicorn for his unique strength and speed. Lawrence has managed to leverage his massive size to become an interior weapon for the New York Giants, and he is a massive presence with a personality to match. What makes him slightly unlikely to win this award is the fact that his team is struggling, which may hamper his recognition.
Xavier McKinney (+1000)
Xavier McKinney is not someone one would’ve anticipated to be on a list like this when the year began. He had been a quality safety previously, but after arriving as a free agent signee for the Green Bay Packers, he has blossomed into one of the top football players on the planet. McKinney is a missile at safety for the Packers, who appear to be one of the top teams in the league. His best attribute is the fact that he generates a ton of turnovers. McKinney has already picked the ball off six times this year, and we are only halfway through the season. If he continues at this pace, he could make oddsmakers look foolish.
Nick Bosa (+1500)
Nick Bosa won the Defensive Player of the Year award only two years ago, so clearly, he is capable of being one of the league’s most dangerous defensive weapons. This season has not been as much of a smashing success for him or the 49ers defense, but Bosa is still one of the top pass rushers on the planet. While San Francisco has slipped below what was expected of them when the year started, they are still one of the most dangerous teams in the league, and Bosa is a big reason why. He should start to round into form as the year continues. At the time of writing, Bosa only has 4.5 sacks to start the year, but if he heats up and finishes the year leading the league, he could be the recipient once again.
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