Upcoming Match-ups

Updated Odds to Win 2020 NFL DROY After Draft – Queen’s Stock Rising, Epenesa Fading

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in NFL Football

Updated Apr 27, 2020 · 4:12 PM PDT

With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, Chase Young continues to lead the way as the favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, but plenty of value exists further down the DROY odds. Daniel Coyle makes his predictions for the 2020 DROY.
  • In the wake of the 2020 NFL Draft, odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year have been updated
  • Patrick Queen (Ravens) and Jeff Okudah (Lions) moved up, while AJ Epenesa (Bills) saw his odds dip
  • See the new odds and learn where the value lies in the NFL DROY odds

With the 2020 NFL Draft now complete, oddsmakers have kept busy publishing updated odds to win 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Not surprisingly, Chase Young continues to lead the way in the NFL DROY odds, improving slightly to a +200 favorite after being selected second overall, as expected, by the Washington Redskins.

While Young is well positioned to claim the DROY award in the upcoming season, a number of intriguing value betting options have emerged for sports bettors to consider.

Odds to Win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Player Odds
Chase Young (Washington) +200
Isaiah Simmons (Cardinals) +450
Patrick Queen (Ravens) +900
Jeff Okudah (Lions) +1200
Willie Gay Jr (Chiefs) +1800
Kenneth Murray (Chargers) +1400
Javon Kinlaw (49ers) +2200
Derrick Brown (Panthers) +2500
Julian Okwara (Lions) +2500
Xavier McKinney (Giants) +2800
Jordan Elliott (Browns)  +3000
AJ Epenesa (Bills) +3000
CJ Henderson (Jaguars) +3500
Grant Delpit (Browns) +3500
Kristian Fulton (Titans) +4500
Jaylon Johnson (Bears) +5000
Troy Dye (Vikings) +5500
Trevon Diggs (Cowboys) +5500
Akeem Davis-Gaither (Bengals) +6600
Curtis Weaver (Dolphins) +10000
Ashtyn Davis (Jets) +10000
Marlon Davidson (Falcons)  +10000

Odds taken April 27, 2020.

High Expectations Await Queen in Baltimore

Patrick Queen (ILB, LSU) is among the fastest risers, moving to +900 after being selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 28th-overall pick. Pegged at +1500 at the beginning of April, Queen was widely considered to be the top inside linebacker available in this year’s draft after ending his collegiate career with a College Football Playoff National Championship at LSU.

The 20-year-old is expected to step right into a starter’s role in Baltimore amid high expectations, particularly after being anointed as “Ray Lewis Jr.” by Ravens pivot and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson just minutes after hearing his name called on opening night of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Queen’s chances of enjoying a breakthrough rookie campaign are certainly enhanced by joining a formidable Ravens defense, one which ranked among the league’s best last season.

Okudah Fills Massive Hole on Lions Defense

The first of nine cornerbacks taken in the first two rounds when he was selected third overall by the Detroit Lions, Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio State) has also made steady gains in the NFL DROY odds in the wake of this year’s draft. Sporting odds as long as +1900 at the start of the month, Okudah has seen his stock rise significantly, but remains an attractive wager at +1200.

The Ohio State star was named a unanimous All-American last season after piling up 35 total tackles and three interceptions. Like Queen, Okudah is expected to immediately slide into a starter’s role in Detroit, a team which struggled desperately against the pass last season. The Lions surrendered 33 touchdown passes in 2019 and ranked dead-last with just seven total interceptions.

Deep Bills Defense Works Against Epenesa

While Queen and Okudah sit among the fastest risers in the NFL DROY odds, several players selected in this past weekend’s NFL Draft have seen their odds get worse. Most notable among them is AJ Epenesa (EDGE, Bills), who has tumbled to a lengthy +3000, well back of the +1150 odds he sported at the start of the month.

Projected to be one of the top defensive prospects available in this year’s draft going into last season, this past weekend turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment for the 21-year-old out of Iowa, who wasn’t selected until the 54th overall pick.

Epenesa racked up double-digit sack totals in each of his final two seasons with the Hawkeyes, and was twice named to the All-Big Ten First team. However, he failed to wow at this year’s NFL Combine, and while his development should be helped by joining the ferocious Bills defense, Epenesa may have to bide his time before landing a starter’s role.

Fulton Must Fight for Time

Another star of the LSU Tigers’ undefeated march to the national championship, Kristian Fulton has seen his odds dip after being forced to wait until near the end of the second round to finally hear his name called. Selected 61st overall by the Tennessee Titans, and unclear as to what his role will be in his rookie campaign, the 21-year-old cornerback has seen his DROY odds tumble from +2050 to a distant +4500.

Fulton enjoyed a breakthrough in his first full season of collegiate football, tallying 38 total tackles and one interception. He was also particularly impressive when defending against three of the top receivers in this year’s draft, limiting Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and Tee Higgins to just three combined receptions for 39 yards and no scores.

A history of bad behavior didn’t help Fulton going into this year’s draft. The 21-year-old New Orleans native missed the entire 2017 season due to suspension after tampering with a drug test for PEDs. Cracking a starting job on the vaunted Titans secondary will be a tall order for Fulton, and could leave him playing the slot.

However, with veteran Malcolm Butler coming off an injury-plagued campaign in 2019, a battle for a shutdown cornerback role could emerge, and make Fulton one of the most intriguing dark horses of the 2020 defensive rookie class.

Author Image