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Stephon Gilmore Becomes Odds-On Favorite to Win NFL DPOY After 2-INT Performance in Week 15

Angelo Montilla

by Angelo Montilla in NFL Football

Dec 17, 2019 · 1:41 PM PST

Stephon Gilmore
New England Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore has emerged as the odds-on favorite to win the NFL DPOY this season. Photo from @NBCSBoston (Twitter)
  • Gilmore’s odds were +450 on average prior to Week 15 performance
  • Only six cornerbacks have won the NFL DPOY in league history
  • There are enticing +600 odds on Aaron Donald winning for third straight year 

Coming off a two interception performance, Stephon Gilmore has become the odds-on favorite to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

The latest NFL DPOY odds show the New England Patriots cornerback at -300 to win the award for the first time in his career.

Is there value in betting on Gilmore at this price or will another player emerge down the stretch to win the NFL DPOY?

2019 NFL DPOY Odds

Player Position Odds
Stephon Gilmore (New England Patriots) CB -300
Aaron Donald (L.A. Rams) DT +600
Shaq Barrett (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) LB +650
Danielle Hunter (Minnesota Vikings) DE +1000
TJ Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers) LB +1200

Odds taken Dec. 17th

On Dec. 11th heading into Week 15 action, Gilmore held the second best odds (+450) across all sportsbooks. Aaron Donald was the frontrunner to win the NFL DPOY award at that point, listed as the +260 favorite.

However, things changed drastically following Gimore’s Week 15 performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. Gilmore finished the day with two interceptions — one for a touchdown return — as well as four pass deflections and two tackles.

If there’s any doubt about giving the award to a cornerback — something that has not been done since 2009 — Pats quarterback Tom Brady believes otherwise.

“He’s done everything you could ask a defensive player of the year to do,” Brady told ESPN.

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Can Gilmore Become First CB to Win NFL DPOY in 10 Years?

The NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award has gone to linemen over the last five years, with Aaron Donald taking the honor in back-to-back seasons (2017 and 2018).

You have to go all the way back to 2009 to find the last time a corner won the award — Charles Woodson with the Green Bay Packers. The only other cornerbacks to have ever won the award include Deion Sanders (1994), Rod Woodson (1993), Lester Hayes (1980) and Mel Blount (1975).

Can Gimore join this elite group of cornerbacks and win the NFL DPOY this season? Sacks and tackles often outweigh interceptions, but Gilmore has been consistently strong at the position all season long.

Gilmore heads into a crucial Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills tied for the league lead in interceptions (16) this season. Gilmore can take sole possession of first in interceptions against his former team on Sunday.

Donald Still Strong Option to Win Third Straight DPOY

At the beginning of the season, Donald wasn’t even in the discussion to win another NFL DPOY. The two-time winner and reigning Defensive Player of the Year had just one sack through five weeks of play.

However, the Rams’ defensive tackle turned his season around from there picking up ten sacks over the team’s last nine games heading into Week 15. That streak also made Donald a favorite to win the award up until Gilmore became the frontrunner.

Donald saw his odds fall from +260 on average to +600 — a price that may be too good to pass on now.

Considering few cornerbacks win the award, Donald’s performance in the second half of the season could very well be enough to win a third consecutive NFL DPOY in 2019.

Pick: Aaron Donald (+600)

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