NFL Props Odds – Defensive Rookie of the Year
Online betting on the NFL is the most popular option in the sports world. While the usual wagers are being taken on games and totals, prop betting has come into the mainstream. Giving a gambler more options was never a bad thing, and it surely never hurt a sports book’s profit, that’s for sure. I outlined my thoughts on the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, and now is time to do the same when talking about the other side of the ball.
NFL Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year
Ndamukong Suh from the Detroit Lions was nearly picked first overall by the Rams. Suh fell to the Lions, who are looking to rebuild into the contender. While Suh is a dominant talent, who will stop the run and get to the quarterback, the Lions rebuilding has come on offense. Suh will see plenty of double teams this season, and while he will get through a lot of them, it may not be enough to put stats on the board to get the award. He is a dominant talent, and will be, for years to come.
Gerald McCoy from Alabama, drafted by Tampa Bay, finds himself in the same boat as Suh. McCoy was another stop gap talent at Alabama, but it is hard to put up huge stats on a rebuilding team. McCoy, however, may have a better chance to succeed, as the linebacking corps behind him is a lot better than Detroit’s bunch. They will be able to fill some gaps, which may allow McCoy to make enough plays to record enough tackles or sacks to take the award.
Rolando McClain is another product of the Crimson Tide’s elite defense. Linebackers have typically had the most success in the early seasons, and McClain is a true dominator, able to get to the ball in a second’s notice. Playing alongside Kirk Morrison, another great linebacker, will allow McClain to bypass double teams. It would not be a surprise to me at all to see McClain record well over 100 tackles and seven or eight sacks this season.
Eric Berry, drafted by Kansas City, can do it all in the secondary. He is a strong safety, with the emphasis being on the word strong. Berry is a Ronnie Lott type that is going to make people pay for going over the middle. Berry will take somebody’s head off. He is also a ballhawk in the Ed Reed mode, able to make game changing plays and create turnovers at a moment’s notice. He also has no real deficiency in coverage, either. Berry is a complete player, and will solidify an important position in the Kansas City defense.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Betting Pick: Eric Berry. This was a very defensive draft, with many other players that I did not outline as high draft picks with a ton of talent. I think Berry takes the cake, though, edging McClain. Berry is a game changer, and is someone who can be an MVP of his team, let alone the rookie of the year. He is an intimidating presence, and will take the award home.
