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NFL Futures: Best Bets for Defensive Rookie of the Year (2019)

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We’ll continue our series of NFL futures odds for the 2019 season today by checking in on the best bets to make for Defensive Rookie of the Year. There were certainly several high-profile players taken early in the 2019 NFL Draft. Before we look at who our writers are targeting, let’s check out the odds:

Player Odds
Nick Bosa +700
Devin White +700
Devin Bush +800
Quinnen Williams +900
Josh Allen +1000
Ed Oliver +1200
Brian Burns +1400
Montez Sweat +1400
Clelin Ferrell +1600
Jahlani Tavai +2200
Rashan Gary +2500
Deandre Baker +2800

For the full list of odds, check out 888Sports.

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Who is your top bet for 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Josh Allen (JAC): +1000
When the New York Giants passed up Kentucky defensive end Josh Allen with the sixth overall pick, the Jaguars were given a gift. The 6-foot-5, 262-pound pass rusher fits perfectly in Jacksonville’s elite defensive scheme. Allen will have free reign to rush the quarterback with teammates Calais Campbell, Myles Jack, and Marcell Dareus drawing the opposition’s attention. Allen’s talent and landing spot make him the best bet for 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
– Mike Randle (@RandleRant)

Josh Allen may not be the most talented defensive rookie this season, but to win this award I don’t think that he needs to be. Landing in the Jaguars defense surrounded by other highly-talented players, teams are not able to scheme to limit his impact the same way that teams facing the 49ers could do with Bosa. The talent and opportunity of Allen in this scheme means he is the best bet in the market.
– Richard King (@RichKingFF)

He was an absolute beast at Kentucky last season and should fit right in on a very talented Jaguars’ defense. Nick Bosa might be a better player than Allen, but teams aren’t going to be able to focus on Allen the way they’re going to be able to focus on Bosa. While Allen might not surpass the performance of reigning champion Darius Leonard, who also played linebacker and led the league in tackles last season, he should be an impact player on a very good defense. That should be enough to draw the attention of voters in a tight race.
– Philip Wood (@Phil_Wood_Jr)

Devin Bush (PIT): +800
Devin Bush is the perfect scheme fit for the Steelers. The team themselves broadcast as much, moving up 10 spots in Round 1 to select the inside linebacker from Michigan. The last time the Steelers moved up this aggressively in the first round they selected a safety from Southern California named Troy Polamalu. Does that portend Bush will be a Hall of Famer? No. But expect Bush to put up loads of counting stats, as the Steelers inside DL two-gaps and keeps defenders off him, allowing his elite 4.4 speed to make plays from sideline to sideline.
– Jared Still (@jaredstill)

The last time the Steelers traded up in the draft was when they selected Troy Polamalu at 16th overall in 2003. In 2019, Pittsburgh was able to move up to the 10th overall selection in order to draft a highly-talented linebacker in Devin Bush from Michigan. Adding a young talent like Bush could just be what the doctor ordered, as Pittsburgh attempts to bring back the days of the “Steel Curtain” dominance. Furthermore, with Ryan Shazier still recovering from a spinal injury suffered in December 2017, the linebacker position in Pittsburgh is rather weak. Lastly, film also shows that Bush is a very versatile linebacker who is able to fit in almost any defensive scheme drawn up by the coordinator. If all goes well, Pittsburgh will have definitely made the most out of trading up in the draft like they did 16 years ago.
– Matthew Catalano (@MatthewCatala16)

Nick Bosa (SF): +700
No shocker here, but I think the odds are enticing enough to bite. Consider Bosa’s double-digit sack upside. He averaged just over .6 sacks per game across 29 college appearances. Then note the 49ers’ loaded front seven, which should foster 1-on-1 opportunities for the rookie.
– Kevin English (@DraftSharks)

Devin White (TB): +700
With the odds on the top three options all above +700, I will be tapping Devin White, Nick Bosa, and Devin Bush as one unit plays for Defensive Rookie of the Year. If forced to choose only one of these plays I would have to opt for Devin White. The Bucs run a 4-3 scheme as opposed to the upside-limiting 3-4 Devin Bush will be playing in. Bosa will either be miscast as a 3-4 end or will spend some snaps playing LB. He will play his normal role in some sub packages, but the time he spends in foreign positions will limit his rookie season upside. Like Bush, White has pass rushing juice and could put up a Darius Leonard-level impact in the tackle and sack departments. Pay special attention to how Lavonte David and Devin White handle coverage assignments in the preseason. If there is any switching, White could be in store for a historic season. White is my pick for DROY due to the eye-catching numbers he is likely to put up as an immediate starter.
– Raju Byfield (@FantasyContext)

Quinnen Williams (NYJ): +900
Quinnen Williams is an easy bet for me, but I’m biased as a Jets fan. This jolly monster will single-handedly change the Jets’ defense. I’m excited to see how the whole team performs with all these changes — new coaches, GM situation, Le’Veon Bell, Sam Darnold, etc, but I’m especially psyched to see this ferocious beast tear through offensive lines like a hot sword through butter! The president, Jamal Adams, and potential Defensive Rookie of the Year, Quinnen Williams, will lead this defense to the promised land, which for Jets fans is just making the playoffs. In an interview during the NFL Draft, Quinnen Williams sneezes, blesses himself, then thanks himself. I’m all in. Quinnen Williams +900 — Bless you very much.
– Tal Malachovsky (@fantasyscouter)

Ben Banogu (IND): +5000
For an outside-shot player to win Defensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL futures betting market, they have to be capable of splash plays. Banogu was the most athletic EDGE player in the class and was drafted to a Colts team where he will be in rotation from Week 1. Past winners of this award have been an EDGE player four of the last nine years (more than any other position). Quinnen Williams and Ed Oliver also offer decent equity at their odds, but we need to have a long shot at what I feel is a fairly flukey award.
– Davis Mattek (@DavisMattek)

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