NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year betting has a familiar face holding down the top spot of the DROY odds board.
We're past the halfway point of the NFL season, and Micah Parsons seems to have a tight grip on the NFL Defensive Rookie of the year odds. He fell to No. 2 briefly a few weeks ago but remains the betting favorite going into Week 13.
Find out who follows him with our updated NFL Defensive ROY odds as of November 30.
2021 NFL Defensive ROY odds
The odds below are up-to-date within a five-minute delay and reflect the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks. Be sure to compare NFL future odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Long thought of as one of the best defensive players in his draft class, Parsons remains No. 1 on the board at -500 heading into Week 13, shortening his odds from +350 over a month ago.
The 12th overall pick began his NFL career with seven tackles in the Cowboys' Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers and recorded the first sack of his career in Week 2, where the rookie was used as a pass rusher after an injury to DeMarcus Lawrence. The versatile defender recorded another sack and five combined tackles in the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Raiders in Week 12. He's exploded, with 6.5 sacks over the last four weeks, moving his totals to nine sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 67 combined tackles on the season. He’s quickly become a leader on this Dallas defense, and it would take a shock for this award to go to anyone else.
In second is Patrick Surtain II of the Denver Broncos (+800). He had a coming-out party in Week 12 with two interceptions, including a pick-six, in the Broncos' win against the Chargers, as well as a number of deflected passes.
Next up is Odafe Oweh, who is available at +1,500, up from +1,800 a week ago. Oweh has five sacks and 17 solo tackles on the season for the Baltimore Ravens defense. He’s only averaging about 65 percent of defensive snaps so there is a limit to his DROY campaign.
Giants’ linebacker Azeez Ojulari sits in fourth at +3,300. He has 5.5 sacks and 19 solo tackles on the season and has moved up the board with Browns' linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah going down to significant injury. Tied with him at +3,300 is Asante Samuel Jr., who has two interceptions on the season, and Jamin Davis, who's totalled 46 combined tackles for the Washington Football Team.
NFL Defensive ROY betting trends
• Of the last 31 winners of the NFL DROY Award, an incredible 28 were drafted in the first round. Of the three winners that weren't first rounders (DeMeco Ryans, Kendrell Bell and Darius Leonard), all were still selected within the Top-40 picks.
• Seven of the last 16 DROY winners played linebacker. Two others (Von Miller and Shawne Merriman) were listed at LB but would count as edge players in modern NFL defensive schemes. That said, that number is heavily inflated by four straight DROY-winning linebackers from 2006 to 2009. Over the last eight years, only one LB has taken home the award.
• Four of the last five DROY winners played college ball for Ohio State. Three of those (the Bosa brothers and Chase Young) were edge rushers.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year history
A quick look at the NFL DROY winners since 2004, the position they played and where they were drafted.
| Year | NFL DROY Award Winner | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chase Young | EDGE | Round 1, pick 2 |
| 2019 | Nick Bosa | EDGE | Round 1, pick 2 |
| 2018 | Darius Leonard | LB | Round 2, pick 36 |
| 2017 | Marshon Lattimore | CB | Round 1, pick 11 |
| 2016 | Joey Bosa | EDGE | Round 1, pick 3 |
| 2015 | Marcus Peters | CB | Round 1, pick 18 |
| 2014 | Aaron Donald | DL | Round 1, pick 13 |
| 2013 | Sheldon Richardson | DL | Round 1, pick 13 |
| 2012 | Luke Keuchly | LB | Round 1, pick 9 |
| 2011 | Von Miller | EDGE | Round 1, pick 2 |
| 2010 | Ndamukong Suh | DL | Round 1, pick 2 |
| 2009 | Brian Cushing | LB | Round 1, pick 15 |
| 2008 | Jerod Mayo | LB | Round 1, pick 10 |
| 2007 | Patrick Willis | LB | Round 1, pick 11 |
| 2006 | DeMeco Ryans | LB | Round 2, pick 33 |
| 2005 | Shawne Merriman | EDGE | Round 1, pick 12 |
| 2004 | Jonathan Vilma | LB | Round 1, pick 12 |
Where can I bet on NFL awards?
Most online books and casinos offer futures bets on NFL awards and odds generally begin to appear after free agency and the NFL Draft. Check out the NFL futures odds at the best sportsbooks available in your area.
