In 2022, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner became the first defensive back to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in half a decade. The league has been clamoring for more explosive edge-rushers, though, and the DROY voting trend could certainly go that way once more this coming season, considering the current favorites to win the said award. Who are the defensive standouts to keep an eye on for one’s NFL futures betting prospects?

Nitrobetting is here to take your bets into the end zone this 2023 NFL season. This time, let’s break down several players that are seen as favorites, sleepers, and longshots to win the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and their corresponding NFL odds of winning the coveted award.

Odds to Win the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Jalen Carter 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. pic.twitter.com/J4tZ1tFJ6N

— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) February 23, 2023

2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Favorites

Will Anderson

The Texans had themselves quite the haul in the 2023 NFL Draft, after selecting quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick, they also traded up to snag Alabama pass-rusher Will Anderson with the third-overall pick. The two-time unanimous All-American selection racked up 204 tackles and 34.5 sacks in his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, winning countless individual awards to go with his national title victory with the Tide in 2020. In turn, Anderson’s amazing body of work in Alabama thus far makes him the consensus favorite to win the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Jalen Carter

Continuing the trend of stellar top-10 picks from Georgia is defensive end Jalen Carter, who joins an already frightening Eagles front seven as the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft. Carter won two titles with the Bulldogs and was named a unanimous All-American in his final sophomore season. The 23-year-old edge rusher has a ton of upside and raw talent, but his off-field legal issues have scared away some of his backers. Nevertheless, Carter should be another favorite to take home the DROY honor this season if he’s cleared of his reckless driving charges filed against him in May.

2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Dark Horses

Joey Porter Jr.

As the son of a former Super Bowl-winning Steelers linebacker, Joey Porter Jr. will look to keep his family’s gridiron legacy alive and for the same Pittsburgh franchise that made his dad a local legend. But unlike his father, the younger Porter made a name for himself as a shut-down cornerback at nearby Penn State. The 22-year-old made the All-Big Ten team in each of his last three collegiate seasons and will have a terrific defensive Steelers coaching staff developing his untapped potential. As such, Porter is in a fantastic spot to start his professional career, as he’s one intriguing sleeper pick to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Will McDonald IV

Another promising prospect that is in the right system to kick off his pro career is Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, who’ll be joining an imposing Jets defense led by defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh. McDonald was named a first-team All-Big 12 selection in three straight years, and has twice over broken the Cyclones’ school record for single-season sacks. Having said that, the 15th-overall pick is another compelling sleeper pick to win the DROY distinction this season, especially considering that another stellar Jet defender Sauce Gardner just won this award last season.

2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Huge Reach

Henry To’oTo’o

Apart from having a delightful name that will give broadcasters and commentators a mouthful early on, Henry To’oTo’o has the pedigree to become a beast in the NFL. The 22-year-old linebacker was another key cog in the Crimson Tide’s defensive machine, with To’oTo’o amassing 94 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in his final season in ‘Bama. On the other hand, falling to the fifth round to a Texans team just having reloaded with other defensive talents puts To’oTo’o’s chances of winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in a hazy picture and, in turn, giving him mere longshot odds to win said award.

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READ MORE: 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds