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2021 NFL DROY Odds Ahead of Kickoff – Parsons the Favorite, Davis and Surtain Given Short Odds

Blair Johnson

by Blair Johnson in NFL Football

Updated Sep 9, 2021 · 7:37 AM PDT

NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds - Micah Parsons
Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass in the first half of a preseason NFL football game under pressure from Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
  • Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is the favorite to earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors this season at +600
  • Fellow NFC East linebacker Jamin Davis of the Washington Football Team (+750) and Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (+750) are also contenders for the award
  • Updated odds and analysis below on whether or not the Penn State product is the best bet

After opting out of his final season with the Nittany Lions, the Cowboys selected Micah Parsons with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. And after earning Pro Football Focus’ highest-grade for a linebacker against the run this preseason, it appears Dallas may have struck gold. Not to mention, he is also the favorite in the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year odds.

But at +600 on in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds, is Parsons the best bet? The Big Ten product opened at +400 odds over four months ago as he hopes to follow fellow conference standout, Chase Young, in taking home the award for best rookie defender. With plenty of other candidates to choose from — in potentially better situations — we break down the field.

2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Player Pos Team Odds
Micah Parsons ILB DAL +600
Jamin Davis ILB WAS +750
Patrick Surtain II CB DEN +750
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoa ILB CLE +950
Jaelan Phillips Edge MIA +1000
Kwity Paye Edge IND +1000
Zaven Collins ILB ARI +1300
Jaycee Horn CB CAR +1500
Caleb Farley CB TEN +1700
Azeez Ojulari Edge NYG +1700
Gregory Rousseau Edge BUF +2000
Odafe Oweh Edge BAL +2000
Joe Tryon Edge TB +2200
Trevon Moehrig-Woodard S LV +2500
Greg Newsome II CB CLE +2500
Ronnie Perkins Edge NE +3300
Nick Bolton ILB KC +3300
Eric Stokes CB GB +3300
Asante Samuel Jr CB LAC +3300
Jabril Cox ILB DAL +3300
Baron Browning ILB DEV +5000
Christian Barmore Edge NE +5000
Richie Grant S ATL +6000
Kelvin Joseph CB DAL +6000
Jevon Holland S MIA +6000
Chazz Surratt ILB MIN +10000
Jamar Johnson S DEN +10000
Aaron Robinson CB NYG +10000
Andre Cisco S JAX +10000

Odds as of September 8 at FanDuel

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Big Ten Run Over?

Without a legitimate candidate from Ohio State this season (the Buckeyes have produced four of the last five DROYs), it’s up to Parsons, Kwity Paye (Michigan), and Greg Newsome II (Northwestern) to hold up the recent tradition of winners from the Power 5 conference. 13 of the last 14 winners were first-rounders — which narrows the field even more.

Even though he’s slid from +400 to +600 since the draft, Parsons is the favorite for good reason. New Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (who coached the Seahawks D to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, winning one) is building his scheme around the versatile player. In two preseason games, Parsons had seven total tackles, recovered a fumble, and was flying to the football virtually every down. A potential monkey wrench in his candidacy is a teammate.

That said, with less-than-intimidating offenses in the NFC East (the Eagles, and Giants are rebuilding and Washington’s strength is its defense), the situation suits Parsons to carry on the Big Ten tradition and win DROY.

Jamin, Surtain(ly)

The next two players on the board have strong cases as well.

Davis has seen his odds go from +1600 to +750 after a breakout 2020 season at Kentucky that prompted a first-round selection by Washington. In joining Young, Davis also joins head coach Ron Rivera — a fairly good linebacker in his own right once upon a time. So, the situation is right for a run.

Plus, after a rough preseason debut, Davis was better against Cincinnati in Preseason Week 2. He only played 17 snaps, but was much more active and trusted his instincts more.

Surtain II has the pedigree (his father was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dolphins and Chiefs) and, like, Davis, is in a situation that will put him in a position to succeed. Led by defensive-minded head coach Vic Fangio, the Broncos defense features a healthy Von Miller, free-agent acquisition Kyle Fuller and Bradley Chubb just to name a few.

Surtain II’s odds have dropped from +1000 in April to +750 now. Plus, PFF loved his preseason. He earned a 91.3 rating, recording a tackle, two passes defended, and a pick-six in a pair of preseason outings.

Horn O’Plenty

At +1500, Jaycee Horn is by no means a deep sleeper. But the South Carolina rookie corner has the longest odds of our featured candidates — which might seem odd considering he was the first defensive player (at No. 8 overall) selected in the 2021 draft.

But the son of former Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn impressed during his time in Columbia, facing some of the best receivers in the country and looked the part during preseason action,

If there’s one player worth placing an investment wager on, it might be Horn. But with six of the previous 15 winners of this award being linebackers — and with the defense being built around him — the best bet in this spot is the favorite.

Plus, considering his odds have actually slid since the draft, getting Parsons at +600 is a great deal.

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