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Chase Young Still Favored to Win NFL DROY, Julian Blackmon and Jeremy Chinn Now Top 5 Contenders

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in NFL Football

Updated Mar 4, 2021 · 12:45 PM PST

Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young
Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) smiles after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart)
  • Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young remains the favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
  • Three safeties are among the top five in the latest odds: Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield Jr., Indianapolis’ Julian Blackmon, and Carolina’s Jeremy Chinn
  • A look at the DROY field and betting advice can be found in the story below

Chase Young, as he has been since even before he was drafted, is the favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Washington Football team defensive end’s odds to win the award have held steady since March. They have been that way through Young being the No. 2-overall selection and now the midpoint of the season.

2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Player Odds
Chase Young (Washington) +160
Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers) +225
Patrick Queen (Ravens) +275
Julian Blackmon (Colts) +700
Jeremy Chinn (Panthers) +900
Isaiah Simmons (Cardinals) +3300
Jaylon Johnson (Bears) +3300
Jordan Elliott (Browns) +3300
CJ Henderson (Jaguars) +4000
Derrick Brown (Panthers) +4000
Javon Kinlaw (49ers) +4000
Kenneth Murray (Chargers) +4000
Kristian Fulton (Titans) +4000
Trevon Diggs (Cowboys) +4000

Odds taken Nov. 4

However, a pair of safeties have moved into the DROY picture in the latest odds. The Indianapolis Colts’ Julian Blackmon and Carolina Panthers’ Jeremy Chinn are now both in the top five.

The Frontrunner

Young’s production has fallen off after a hot start, perhaps influenced by a groin injury sustained in a Week 3 loss to the Browns at Cleveland.

The former Ohio State standout has not recorded a sack in three games since then. He does have three tackles for loss in that span and 11 stops overall.

An encouraging sign came in Week 7 when Young had a season-best five solo tackles in Washington’s 25-3 home victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Washington had a bye last week.

Young made an immediate impact, playing a starring role when Washington upset the Eagles at Philadelphia in Week 1. The 21-year-old had 1.5 sacks then added another sack against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 before getting hurt.

Overall, in six games, Young has 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, 19 tackles and a forced fumble.

Blackmon Makes His Move

Blackmon has been a steady performer for a Colts defense that is second in the NFL in total yards allowed with 293.4 yards a game and fifth in scoring with a 19.4-point average.

The third-round draft pick from Utah has a pair of interceptions, both coming in wins. Blackmon picked the Chicago Bears’ Nick Foles in Week 4 and fellow rookie Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6.

Blackmon moved into the starting lineup in Week 2 and has amassed six pass breakups and 14 tackles in six games.

Chinn Stock Rising

A starter since Week 1, Chinn was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for October.

Chinn has been very consistent, making at least seven tackles in seven of his eight games. His highest total was 12 in a Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and he made 10 stops last Thursday night in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

In last week’s game, Chinn even broke off a 28-yard run on a fake punt.

Chinn has compiled a team-leading 67 stops. He also has an interception, five passes defensed and a tackle for loss.

Top Challengers

According to the oddsmakers, Young’s stiffest competition for DROY remains Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen.

Winfield has two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and four pass breakups to go with 44 tackles in eight games.

Queen was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week and it remains to be seen if he will be able to play Sunday against the Colts at Indianapolis.

What is certain, though, is that Queen has been a force for Baltimore. He has registered 48 tackles, including four for loss, in seven games along with two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble return for a touchdown.

Surveying The Field

Young still looks like the best bet here despite the low odds. His performance in Washington’s last game gives reason to believe that he is healthy again and poised for a big second half of the season.

If you are looking for a longshot, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons is intriguing at +3300. He has been steadily improving following a slow start and is playing for a potential playoff team starting to gain national attention.

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