A Philadelphia Eagle is favored by bettors to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year but it’s probably not the one you think. The Eagles traded to move up to to select Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis with the 13th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Seventy picks later, the Eagles snagged linebacker Nakobe Dean who slipped due to injury concerns.
With 19.5% of the handle, the most money at Caesars Sportsbook is on Dean to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Naboke Dean rookie of the Year odds
Nakobe Dean’s odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year opened at +2500 at Caesars and has moved to +1800.
Even without a draft class with a franchise quarterback, the Offensive Rookie of the Year market at sportsbooks always gets more action.
“With DROY it’s not as sexy but people are looking for long shots,” said Max Meyer, content writer at Caesars Sportsbook. “Dean was one of the top players on the best defense at Georgia. You see him at +2500 and Hutchinson at +350. People are going to jump at the higher price and bigger payout.”
For Defensive ROY bettors at Caesars, the early money on Dean has been all about value.
At BetMGM Sportsbook, Aidan Hutchinson (+450), the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, has the majority of the money (52.3%) to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. In terms of handle, he’s followed by Kayvon Thibodeaux (11.4%), Ahmad Gardner (4.5%), Jordan Davis (4.8%), George Karlaftis (4.1%) and Nakobe Dean (3.5%).
2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
The Eagles other rookie, the mammoth 6’6, 340 pound defensive tackle Jordan Davis, has +1800 odds at Caesars to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. The same odds as his Georgia and now Eagle teammate Nakobe Dean.
The Birds aren’t the only team with multiple players with a chance to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Travon Walker
- Devin Lloyd
New York Jets
- Sauce Gardner
- Jermaine Johnson
Best NFL Rookie of the Year odds
Naboke Dean analysis
Dean slipped in the 2022 NFL Draft due to concerns over reports of pectoral and knee injuries . However, he says the injuries were minor.
Explosive, three-down linebacker with the demeanor and quickness to become a volume tackler while holding down third-down duties at a high level. Dean’s play recognition is a work in progress, which limits reaction time and forces him to deal with more blockers than he’ll see as he gains more experience. Quick feet and plus agility will bring him to ball-carriers at a high rate but a lack of size and length means he’ll need to fine-tune his approach as a tackler to make sure he finishes what he starts. He might lack measurables, but he has the toughness and technique to see a boost in his performance once his play becomes more proactive.
Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles reporter Josh Tolentino wrote:
“Dean has gotten more first-team reps recently, but his expectations should be tamed with Edwards and White affixed atop the depth chart.”
Lead image Kirk Irwin/AP
