Three picks, long shot for 2023 NFL top Defensive Rookie of the Year

Geoff Schwartz

FOX Sports Betting Analyst

The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award has been won by a player drafted in the top 18 picks in nine of the previous 10 seasons. In this year’s NFL Draft, nine of the top 18 picks on April 27 were on the defensive side of the ball.

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Will one of those nine nab the prestigious award on Feb. 9? What about a long shot from the second round?

The winner of this award is often the highest drafted player at the position. Think the likes of Sauce Gardner, Chase Young, either of the Bosa bothers (Nick and Joey) or Marshon Lattimore. So here are four players I think you should consider to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Will Anderson Jr.: + 350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)

Anderson fits the mold of the pass rushers to win this award in the previous 10 years. He’s the top defensive end drafted and was extremely productive in college. 

Anderson is the most ready pass rusher of any drafted in the first round, meaning his hand usage and understanding of how to play the position is better than any of his peers. He will start fast in 2023 with the Houston Texans and that hype will fuel a Defensive Rookie of the Year win.

Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon highlights

Check out the top plays from Devon Witherspoon’s 2022 college football season for Illinois.

Devon Witherspoon: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)

It was not a surprise that Witherspoon was the first cornerback drafted but it was surprising that the Seahawks picked him with the fifth pick as most had Seattle addressing the pass rush first.

However, Witherspoon is an excellent option for DROY. He allowed a completion percentage of just 34.9% in 2022 as he used his long arms and quick feet to disrupt wide receivers. He’s a physical corner who plays in the face of his opponent which led to all the pass breakups and possible interceptions among his highlight plays. 

Seattle being a winning team in 2023 will give…

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Publish date : 2023-05-10 20:08:02

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