TJ Watt Overtakes Aaron Donald as the Favorite to Win 2020 NFL DPOY
- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt is now the favorite to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award at +450
- Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has dropped to the second choice
- See the updated 2020 DPOY odds and analysis of Watt’s chances of winning it
TJ Watt is the new favorite to win the 2020 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker saw his odds improve to +450 going into Week 4, compared to +1200 this time a week ago. He has supplanted Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald as the top choice for DOPY. Donald’s odds faded to +550.
Here is a look at the NFL DPOY odds.
2020 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| T.J. Watt (Steelers) | +450 |
| Aaron Donald (Rams) | +550 |
| Myles Garrett (Browns) | +750 |
| Joey Bosa (Chargers) | +1600 |
| Khalil Mack (Bears) | +1600 |
Odds taken Sept. 29
Watt Bowl MVP
Watt became the top choice following another strong performance in Week 3. In the Steelers’ 28-21 victory over the Houston Texans, Watt had a sack, two tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. He also had four solo tackles.
Watt’s sack came at a key moment of the game.
After James Conner’s 12-yard touchdown run with 6:24 left put the Steelers ahead, Watt sacked Deshaun Watson on the first play of the Texans’ ensuing possession. The 11-yard loss led to Houston going three and out.
T.J. Watt chipped right into a sack. lol #Steelers pic.twitter.com/z34zXhdRu8
— BlitzburghUSAVideos (@sdextrasmedia) September 29, 2020
Once the Steelers got the ball, they never gave it back while running out the final 4:47.
TJ was also the star of the “Watt Bowl”, which featured the three brothers playing in the same game for the first time. Derek Watt is the Steelers’ fullback while JJ Watt is the Texans’ standout defensive end and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Mr. Efficiency
The performance against the Texans was just a continuation of a great start to the season for Watt, who has been extremely efficient with his effort.
An interception highlighted Watt’s opening-week performance in a 26-16 victory over the New York Giants. He had one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and two passes defensed.
Watt was even better in Week 2 when the Steelers downed the Denver Broncos 26-21. His stat line included 2.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, and four QB hits
Through three games, Watt has a total of 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, 10 quarterbacks hits, and one interception.
Donald Shines in Week 3
Donald dropped out of the top spot despite having his best game of the season in Week 3 when the Rams lost 35-32 to the Bills in Buffalo
Donald had two sacks and six tackles while also forcing a fumble and recovering it. He also finished with three quarterback hits.
Aaron Donald threw Josh Allen down, forced a fumble and recovered it.
MONSTER 😤
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/ntWbCLTY9Y
— ESPN (@espn) September 27, 2020
That came after a disappointing showing in Week 2 when he was limited to one tackle and one QB hit in a 37-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Overall, Donald has three sacks, eight quarterback hits, and the forced fumble.
| 9 | Tackles | 11 |
| 3.5 | Sacks | 3 |
| 5 | Tackles for loss | 3 |
| 10 | Quarterback hits | 8 |
Other Contenders
Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett has three sacks, one tackle for loss, five QB hits, and two forced fumbles in his bid to win DROY.
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa is off to a fine start to 2020 with three sacks, five tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits.
Pat Mahomes met by Joey Bosa ‼️
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/dxdIWCtcWM
— ESPN (@espn) September 20, 2020
Though the Chicago Bears are 3-0, linebacker Khalil Mack has had an ordinary season so far. He has 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, three QB hits, and one fumble recovery.
Looking for Value
The oddsmakers have it right in moving Watt to the top of the board. He has been the best defensive player in the first three weeks of the season and is still worth betting even at the shorter odds.
T.J. Watt is currently the highest-graded defensive player of 2020
PFF Grade: 93.7 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nzgdREJQQc
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) September 22, 2020
A decent longshot pick is Mack. He could easily increase his production, particularly in the sacks department, which always registers with the award voters.
Another intriguing longshot play is Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner at +4000. So far, he has been worth the price of the Colts trading a first-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers.
Strong against the run with 15 tackles through three games, Buckner also has 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, and a safety.
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
