2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Favorites, Sleepers, and Best Bet

In nine of the last ten seasons, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award went to a player who was selected in the top 18 in the draft. In the 2023 NFL Draft, nine of the top 18 picks were defenders, including DE Will Anderson Jr., the 3rd overall pick. Now let’s check out the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Favorites, Sleepers, and Best Bet.

2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds      

2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Favorites      

Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles (+750)

The Philadelphia Eagles are rock-solid up front, and even though Carter could see limited time in his rookie season, I am pretty sure he will take every opportunity to impress. Carter led the ferocious Georgia defense to national championships in 2021 and 2022 and will definitely improve Philadelphia’s 8th-ranked D.

Carter will be surrounded by talented defensive linemen in his first year with Philly. Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, and Josh Sweat can only make Jalen better. Although it is hard to expect 10+ sacks for Carter in 2023, his explosiveness, polished hand work, and raw power will make him hard to stop by any O-line in the NFL.

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks (+1000)

Witherspoon was the highest-drafted cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft and will represent an instant improvement to the Seahawks’ secondary. Seattle had the 13th pass defense in 2022, and Witherspoon can undoubtedly help it to finish the next season among the top 10. Pete Carroll is one of the best defensive back teachers in the league, so I’m positive Devon will do just fine.

Witherspoon allowed a pass completion percentage of only 34.9% in 2022 thanks to his quick feet and long arms. He is playing in the face of receivers and is a physical CB. These traits allow him to defend passes and intercept the ball often. Witherspoon recorded 14 pass breakups and three picks in his final year at Illinois.

Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots (+1100)

One of the candidates for the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award is surely Christian Gonzalez. Unlike Witherspoon, who might lack opportunities to shine due to Seattle’s weak pass rush, Gonzalez will not lack those chances in New England’s secondary. When Bill Belichick selects a cornerback with the No. 18 overall pick – you know that CB is something special.

Gonzalez was arguably the best press-man cornerback in the 2023 draft class, and I am backing him to have an excellent rookie year. Belichick will get the best out of Gonzalez, and I believe the former Oregon Duck will improve his pass breakups and interception numbers. Christian had seven defended passes and four picks in 2022.

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2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Sleepers

Jack Campbell, LB, Detroit Lions (+2200)

In my opinion, Campbell is the best linebacker in the 2023 class. It makes perfect sense why the Lions selected him in the first round. Traditionally, off-ball defenders, or in this case, linebackers, have slim chances of winning the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. However, Campbell is something else.

He combined for 265 tackles in the previous two years at Iowa, and I expect Campbell to have a 100-tackle season in 2023 as well. Also, Jack is able to produce a few sacks, forced fumbles, and interceptions.            

Will McDonald IV, DE, New York Jets (+2500)

McDonald will get more opportunities to attack the opposing tackles with the Jets after playing mainly as an end during his time at Iowa State. Even so, he was fantastic in 2020 and 2021, combining for 22 sacks and seven forced fumbles. McDonald’s numbers dropped in 2022 (five sacks and one FF), but Robert Saleh will help him to return to his best.

He is currently listed behind Carl Lawson in the depth chart, but I think McDonald has a higher ceiling and will overtake Lawson as a starter during the upcoming campaign. Expect a strong Year 1 for McDonald, but don’t expect him to post numbers similar to Nick Bosa in his rookie year.

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers (+3300)

You probably think: What on Earth Joey Porter Jr. is doing on this 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year list? He registered just one interception in four years at Penn State, which is surprisingly low for a cornerback. Well, let me explain. The Steelers not selected him only because of his dad, who spent seven years in Pittsburgh and won the Super Bowl XL with the Steelers. They selected him because they needed a player of such a profile in their secondary.

Put one pick in four years at Penn State aside. Porter Jr. will thrive in Pittsburgh because of the Steelers’ excellent frontline. Pass rushers such as T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Alex Highsmith will provide plenty of opportunities for Porter Jr. to show his worth as the opposing quarterbacks will often try to slice the Steelers’ secondary. Quarterbacks will purposely target a rookie corner who had one interception in four years, and it’s exactly what Porter wants. Especially considering that Patrick Peterson is playing opposite him. Don’t sleep on Porter Jr.

2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Best Bet

Will Anderson Jr., DE, Houston Texans (+400)

Not only Anderson is the best bet to win the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he is also the biggest favorite. I couldn’t ignore the fact that he was the highest-ranked defender in the 2023 Draft. He will be playing for Houston, where he’ll dominate. Anderson will load the stat sheet against both the run and pass offenses.

Anderson was a force in his three years at Alabama, especially in the previous two when he totaled 27.5 sacks and 152 tackles. He reminds me of Khalil Mack when he entered the NFL, but I expect Anderson to eclipse Mack’s rookie numbers (76 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and four sacks). Compared to 2022, the Texans have a more respectable defense, and I am backing Anderson to lead it and win the DROY award.