Odds Favor Packers’ Darnell Savage Jr to Win 2019 NFL DROY After Week 3

• Savage has vaulted to a +350 favorite for NFL DROY following steady debut in Green Bay
• Packers safety has tallied 14 total tackles and one interception through his first three games
• Steelers linebacker Devin Bush follows as +450 second favorite, ahead of 49ers DE Nick Bosa at +500

Darnell Savage Jr. continued his impressive NFL debut last weekend, racking up five tackles and his first career interception in Green Bay’s 27-16 victory over Denver, and has been rewarded at the sportsbooks, where he has climbed to a +350 favorite on the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds.

Odds to Win 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Odds taken on 09/25/19.

Savage Playing Key Role on Revitalized Packers Defense

Selected 21st overall by the Packers in this year’s NFL Draft, the 22-year-old out of the University of Maryland has played a key role on a stingy Packers defense that has limited opponents to just 197.3 passing yards and 11.66 points per game so far this season.

That has translated into a 3-0 start for Green Bay for the first time since 2015, and lifting the Packers to the top of the odds to win the NFC North as +130 favorites.

.@darnellsavage_ with the SAVAGE interception! 😱@packers | #GoPackGo

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Pegged as a lengthy +2700 bet on the NFL DROY odds entering the season, Savage has made his presence felt with 14 total tackles through his first three NFL contests. The Packers safety was timely with his first career pick, which halted a crucial drive by the Broncos inside the Green Bay 40, snuffing out Denver’s bid to overcome an eight-point deficit in the second half of last weekend’s contest.

Savage Excelled on Bad Terrapins Squad in 2018

Savage’s steady debut also extends the strong performance from his final season with the Terrapins, when he piled up 52 total tackles and four interceptions in 12 outings with a Maryland squad that largely struggled through a 5-7 campaign in 2018.

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However, at this early stage of the NFL season, Savage still faces fierce competition in his bid to garner NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Savage is closely trailed on the odds board by Steelers LB Devin Bush at +450, and 49ers EDGE Nick Bosa at +550, while  Raiders S Johnathan Abram lags at +750.

Bush Enjoying Success Despite Shaky Steelers Start

Taken 10th overall by Pittsburgh at this year’s draft, Bush has emerged as one of the few bright spots on a Steelers squad that has limped to a 0-3 start. After recording 11 tackles in Pittsburgh’s 24-20 loss to San Francisco in Week 3, Bush now leads the Steelers and ranks sixth in the NFL with 29 tackles on the season.

https://twitter.com/AyeThatsLee/status/1175967657499119616?s=20

However, Bush’s strong debut has not been enough to rescue a Steelers defense that has largely been ineffective this season, ranking 29th in the NFL while surrendering 442.0 total yards per game including a dismal 302.7 passing yards per game.

Bosa Making Presence Felt in San Francisco

Bosa has benefited in his NFL debut by the 49ers’ return to respectability and solid 3-0 start. The second-overall pick in this year’s draft is coming off a standout performance against the Steelers.

Bosa recorded seven quarterback pressures to improve to 17 on the season, good for sixth overall in the NFL according to ProFootballFocus.

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Perched among the favorites on the NFL DROY odds since the end of this year’s NFL Draft, Bosa has made steady gains since opening the season at +790. The younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, Nick is likely to benefit from having the most name recognition among Rookie of the Year candidates.

In addition, Bosa’s presence in a major market like the Bay Area, along with the Niners’ dramatic rebound this season following four straight losing campaigns, certainly can’t hurt the 21-year-old.

Pick: Nick Bosa to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (+550)