Nick Bosa’s NFL DROY Odds Improve to +175 After Two-Sack Performance vs Browns

• After briefly faltering, Nick Bosa has returned to the top of the DROY odds as a +175 favorite
• Bosa’s stock is on the rise following a breakthrough performance on Monday Night Football in Week 5
• Devin Bush sits second to Bosa at +450, ahead of  Darnell Savage Jr. at +500

Following a dominant performance in the San Francisco 49ers’ 31-3 rout of the Cleveland Browns this week on Monday Night Football, Nick Bosa has reclaimed his familiar perch atop the odds to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Bosa’s odds after Week 6 stand at +175. The next-closest competitor is all the way down at +450.

Odds to Win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

*Odds taken on 10/09/19.

Bosa Enjoys Breakthrough on Monday Night Football

The second-overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft played a critical role in shutting down the Browns’ attack in San Francisco’s victory as 5-point home chalk. He recorded four tackles and sacked Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield twice.

https://twitter.com/BarstoolsTweets/status/1181385012568100864?s=20

Bosa was pegged as the favorite on the NFL DROY Odds before this year’s draft, opening at a short +200. The former Ohio State Buckeyes star subsequently fell behind Devin Bush during the preseason, and was also passed by Darnell Savage Jr., with his odds slipping to as long as +550 while he battled a nagging ankle injury last month.

However, with the 21-year-old returning to the form that made him the Big Ten Lineman of the Year in 2017, Bosa has put plenty of space between himself and his closest competition on the odds board.

Bosa Key to Niners Resurgence

Bosa has played an important role in the 49ers’ resurgence this season. Winners of just four games in their fourth straight losing campaign last season, the Niners have already matched that win total, going 4-0 SU in the team’s fastest start since 1990.

The San Francisco defense has been simply outstanding through the first quarter of the season, limiting opponents to just 14.3 points per game, and opposing pivots to a mere 175.8 passing yards per game.

The @49ers defense got AFTER IT on #MNF with 2 INTs + 4 sacks! 💪 #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/WHDXBbheIc

— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2019

The 49ers’ early success has certainly contributed to a brighter spotlight on Bosa, and has also been reflected on the NFL futures. The squad now sits on the heels of the Los Angeles Rams as a +155 second-favorite to win the NFC West, and as a dramatically improved +1400 Super Bowl bet.

Savage Hobbled by Injury?

Conversely, it was a much more difficult weekend for Darnell Savage. Selected 21st overall by Green Bay, the 22-year-old safety out of Maryland has had an immediate impact on the Packers defense, making 17 total tackles through his first four outings.

However, Savage was limited to just 19 snaps in last weekend’s 34-24 win in Dallas due to an ankle injury, and has reportedly been spotted wearing a walking boot on his ankle this week.

Looks like a bad injury to #Packers promising 1st round pick rookie Darnell Savagehttps://t.co/OaY6yZCSEG

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 6, 2019

A lengthy injury would be devastating, both to Savage’s DROY chances, as well as to the Packers’ defense. While reports indicate that Savage’s injury is not serious, he remains listed as questionable for Green Bay’s crucial home date with the Detroit Lions on Monday night in Week 6.

Bush Bolstering Steelers Defense

Devin Bush, meanwhile, continues to thrive in his debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Michigan Wolverines star had another outstanding performance in Week 5, recording eight tackles and his first career interception as the Steelers fell 26-23 to the rival Baltimore Ravens.

The 21-year-old now leads the Steelers with 45 tackles on the season, and has sparked a Pittsburgh defense that has held opponents to fewer than 300 total yards in each of their past two contests.

Devin Bush is making a very strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
– 45 Tackles (2nd in the AFC)
– 1 Sack
– 1 INT
– 3 Pass Defenses
– 3 Fumble Recoveries
The best part is that Bush’s best may still be on the way as he is improving every week.

— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) October 9, 2019

But with a dismal 1-4 record through Week 5, the Steelers have done little to boost Bush’s DROY stock. And with the 49ers clearly on the rise, the spotlight will continue to focus on Bosa, who could continue to gain ground on the DROY odds with another big performance in a Week 6 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams that could reshape the NFC West for the rest of the season.

Picks: Nick Bosa to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (+175)