Josh Allen’s (Jaguars) 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds Continue to Fade Entering Week 2 of Preseason
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Updated: April 14, 2020 at 12:22 pm EDTPublished:
- Josh Allen’s odds of being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year are plummeting
- The Jacksonville Jaguars DE/LB is currently at average odds of +1400
- Allen’s odds opened at +600 and then climbed to +1100
On the field, Josh Allen used to be a hybrid. In the race for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Allen used to be a contender.
At this early stage, it would appear unlikely that either situation is about to change.
When the first set of NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds were released, Allen, the 2018 SEC defensive player of the year, looked set to be a solid play at +600.
2019 NFL DROY Odds
| Player (Team) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Devin Bush (Steelers) | +500 |
| Nick Bosa (49ers) | +750 |
| Devin White (Buccaneers) | +800 |
| Quinnen Williams (Jets) | +1000 |
| Montez Sweat (Redskins) | +1600 |
| Ed Oliver (Bills) | +1600 |
| Josh Allen (Jaguars) | +1600 |
*Odds taken 08/17/19.
By the first update to the odds. his chances of winning had grown to +1100. In the most recent odds posted, Allen’s average odds ballooned to +1400.
Allen Off to Slow Start
Through his first two NFL preseason games, Allen has done little on the field to entertain the notion that he’ll blossom into a difference-making defender. He shows a solitary tackle next to his name in the stats sheet.
Josh Allen — don’t need to see anything else. See you September 8th vs KC. #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/OEQHrl9DKK
— Andrew Gibson (@1010XLAG) August 9, 2019
His one tackle was impressive, catching the ballcarrier in the backfield for a two-yard loss. Allen clearly has size, strength and length but his passing rushing technique needs to go to another level if he’s going to enjoy regular success against NFL left tackles.
Jaguars see Allen as Lineman
In college with the Kentucky Wildcats, Allen switched back and forth between linebacker and defensive end. He’s equipped with size to play along the line. He’s also armed with the requisite speed required for pass coverage and to pursue and run down ballcarriers that would make Allen an ideal linebacker.
Marrone on DE Josh Allen: “He looks like he’s getting bigger and stronger and faster each day when you see him.” #Jaguars
— Phillip Heilman (@phillip_heilman) August 13, 2019
The Jaguars, though, seem to have determined that defensive end is where he’ll shine in the NFL. Jacksonville so far has deployed Allen solely at that position on the field.
With Calais Campbell (10.5 sacks last season) and Yannick Ngakoue (9.5 sacks last season) as starters at defensive end, you have to wonder how this will inhibit Allen’s playing time.
The Jags list Allen second-string on their depth chart behind Ngakoue at right defensive end.
Allen a College Standout
At Kentucky, Allen set a school record with 31.5 sacks. Seventeen of them came during his senior season.
He posted an NCAA-best 93.5 pass-rush grade. Allen’s stats featured 51 pressures, nine quarterback hits and 28 QB hurries.
At the end of the 2018 season, Allen received two separate honors representing the best defensive player in the NCAA – the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented by the Football Writers Association of America, and the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club.
Just two Bednarik winners since 2003 have gone to be NFL DROY. Both were defensive linemen, though: Aaron Donald (2014) and Ndamukong Suh (2010).
Donald (2014) and Suh (2010) are also the only Nagurski winners to be named NFL DROY since 1999.
It’s a Deep Field
Among the top contenders to be NFL DROY, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush is already looking as though he’ll be an instant playmaker as an NFLer.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White and New York Jets defensive end Quinnen Williams are both playing for teams that were terrible last season. That should mean they’ll see plenty of playing time right off the hop.
Here’s what Josh Allen had to say after playing in his first NFL preseason game. #jaguars pic.twitter.com/M4s3m5u8xq
— John Reid (@JohnReid64) August 9, 2019
Even though Jacksonville was 5-11 last season, defense wasn’t an issue for the Jaguars. They ranked fifth in the NFL on defense last season.
They can afford to take their time developing Allen. That’ll hinder his NFL DROY chances.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
