Myles Garrett’s NFL DPOY Odds Steadily Improving – Is the Browns’ Pass-Rusher Worth Betting?

• Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett’s odds to win Defensive Player of the Year range from 33-1 to 12-1
• The former #1 overall pick has a history of disciplinary issues
• Is Garrett worth taking a chance on at the higher betting line?

Is Myles Garrett a legitimate candidate to be named the 2020 NFL DPOY? It depends on which sportsbook you happen to be checking out.

Perusing the leading sports-betting houses, you’ll find some sportsbooks listing Garrett’s odds of winning NFL DPOY this season as long as 33-1. Look elsewhere, though, and you’ll find Garrett as short as 12-1.

That’s quite a range in betting lines. In Garrett’s case, however, it might be somewhat understandable. In 2019, his on-field play was worthy of consideration in the NFL DPOY odds. On the other hand, naysayers will point to Garrett’s history of disciplinary malfeasance as a sign that his personality is too volatile to maintain that level of performance over an entire season.

2020 NFL DPOY Odds

Odds taken June 12th.

When the 2020 DPOY odds opened in late March, Garrett +2500, on average.

Defensive ends have won four NFL DPOY Awards since 2012. But no Browns player has ever been named Defensive Player of the Year.

Garrett Was Putting Up DPOY Numbers

Prior to his season-ending suspension that cost him the last six games, Garrett was posting the sort of year capable of putting him in the debate for DPOY. He’d recorded 29 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 46 pressures through 10 games.

@MylesLGarrett putting in work ??? pic.twitter.com/0WbzPallnl

— Heavy on Browns (@HeavyOnBrowns) June 11, 2020

In his sophomore season in 2018, he was also impressive. Garrett recorded 13.5 sacks, 84 pressures, and 29 quarterback hits while playing all 16 games. The first overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Garrett has recorded 30.5 sacks in three seasons.

It’s All About Discipline

The key for Garrett could be as simple as staying on the field and out of trouble. That was an issue for him last season.

He was fined by the NFL for punching Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker after the whistle during a Week 1 loss. Garrett was also fined for a late hit that ended the season of New York Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian. In total, he paid over $52,000 in fines in 2019.

Myles Garrett sat down with @minakimes to discuss the Week 11 incident that led to his suspension.

He again alleged Mason Rudolph of using a racial slur prior to the brawl. pic.twitter.com/8FUKDbKIg4

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 14, 2020

The denouement to Garrett’s tumultuous campaign came in a November win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. During a late-game altercation with Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, Garrett pulled Rudolph’s helmet off and struck him in the head with it.

Garrett claimed that Rudolph uttered a racial slur. Rudolph denied this accusation. The NFL found no audio evidence of a slur and Garrett was suspended indefinitely. He was reinstated in February.

Browns Believing In Garrett

The Browns already picked up the 2021 extension on Garrett’s rookie contract. They’re reportedly working on an extension that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid DE.

The Browns could extend Myles Garrett as soon as this summer ? pic.twitter.com/g18gcNHVoi

— Everything Cleveland (@EverythingCLE_) June 12, 2020

Should you believe as much in Garrett when it comes to the NFL DPOY? If you’re of the opinion that the Browns are due for a bounceback season, it’ll be difficult to pass up 33-1 odds on Garrett.

It’s worth risking a small stipend.