Nick Bosa Back to Being Favored to Win 2019 NFL DROY Award

• 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa is now the favorite to win 2019 DROY
• His Defensive Rookie of the Year odds have shortened after both games this year
• Is Bosa worth a bet at +450 odds?

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa recorded three tackles in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but did not record any tackles in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Yet, the second-overall pick is still being favored to win the 2019 NFL DROY award after an impressive start, on the whole.

The updated NFL DROY odds sees Bosa as the slight favorite over Pittsburgh’s Devin Bush.

2019 NFL DROY Odds

Odds taken 09/19/19.

Bosa’s Run To Being Favored

When Nick Bosa was drafted by the 49ers, he was expected to be a factor on defense right away. He had a very impressive college career, though one shortened by injury.

So far, Bosa’s NFL career has also been hindered by injuries, but he’s played through it and had success.

Coach Kyle Shanahan has taken a liking to the rookie pass rusher.

“He definitely had an effect on the game. Which is what we were hoping for,” he said to media after the game. “[Bosa] got in the backfield a lot. He had a number of times where he got free, which I thought were impressive. Jameis [Winston] made some very impressive escapes from the pocket on a number of those, too, but I thought it was a good first game. Still, a lot of areas to improve, but considering what he’s been going through here the last few weeks, I thought it was a success.”

Injuries suffered during OTAs were a huge factor in why Bosa was not favored from the get-go. In August, he was passed by Devin Bush and Devin White as 2019 DROY favorite. Entering Week 1, his odds were around +790.

Is Bosa Worth Betting?

Although Bosa had a great Week 1, he did not look that impressive in Week 2 on limited snaps as the team opted to rest their future defensive cornerstone. His ongoing injury issues could be a reason to scare bettors away. If he misses a substantial amount of time, the likes of Josh Allen, Ed Oliver, or Devin Bush will have an immediate leg-up in the DROY race.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlZgRJFszgs

The good news for Bosa is that the 49ers have their bye week in Week 4, which could be huge for keeping him healthy all season.

When he is healthy, he is a complete machine. The 49ers have praised his work ethic, saying he doesn’t compete like a rookie.

Nick Bosa has totaled 10 pressures in two weeks as a rookie, the most of any defender. https://t.co/sdIPywT98N pic.twitter.com/mC2dBWyh6Z

— PFF SF 49ers (@PFF_49ers) September 18, 2019

“He basically missed like all of OTAs and he shows up on the first day of training camp, and he’s just like, a game-wrecker,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said to ESPN. “And it wasn’t just like, one day, one play. He’s just so well-rounded and just multifaceted. And he seems polished, which is just not normal to see that in a rookie.”

Right now, I think Nick Bosa is worth betting at +500. I believe his line will only shorten in the weeks to come as he continues to rack up tackles and sacks. Staying healthy is the key to him winning the DROY, and it looks like the team is committed to keeping him off the IR.