Watt the Favorite for 2018 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
By SBD Staff Writer in NFL Football
Updated: January 6, 2023 at 6:10 am ESTPublished:
- Who holds the best odds of winning 2018 NFL Defensive Player of the Year?
- Will the title once again be won by a pass-rushing beast?
- Must the DPOY send his team to the playoffs?
Theeeeeey’re back! (Almost …)
After an eventful offseason (to say the least), the majority of NFL teams will see their veterans report to training camp in just seven days. Rookies across the league will report a couple of days earlier.
Online sports betting sites have already taken the time to offer odds to win Super Bowl 53, the 2018 NFL MVP, and both Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards. But just recently, we got our first glance at odds to win 2018 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, courtesy Bookmaker.
2018 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds
Top Contenders
| Player Name | Pos | Team | Odds to win DPOY at Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| JJ Watt | DL | Houston Texans | +600 |
| Aaron Donald | DL | LA Rams | +650 |
| Joey Bosa | EDGE | LA Chargers | +650 |
| Khalil Mack | EDGE | Oakland Raiders | +650 |
| Von Miller | EDGE | Denver Broncos | +1000 |
| Jalen Ramsey | CB | Jacksonville Jaguars | +1800 |
| Luke Kuechly | ILB | Carolina Panthers | +1800 |
| Cameron Jordan | DE | New Orleans Saints | +2300 |
| Demarcus Lawrence | DE | Dallas Cowboys | +2500 |
| Chandler Jones | EDGE | Arizona Cardinals | +3000 |
| Calais Campbell | DL | Jacksonville Jaguars | +3000 |
| Myles Garrett | EDGE | Cleveland Browns | +3000 |
In case y’all forgot what JJ “Swatt” can do when he’s healthy…
The formula seems to be: finish in the top percentile of sacks or interceptions, pad those numbers by contributing in other ways (tackles, forced fumbles, touchdowns) and propel your team to the playoffs.
These expectations make it harder for inside linebackers to win the award. Stat lines would have to be around 130+ tackles, at least eight forced turnovers, and a score while earning a post-season birth.
Elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey could be hard-pressed to win DPOY for the same unfortunate reasons as prototypical linebackers: the turnovers are harder to come by. In fact, it could be even more difficult for a cornerback, as their reputation grows and quarterbacks avoid throwing their way.
Other DPOY Candidates
| Player Name | Pos | Team | Odds to win DPOY at Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landon Collins | S | New York Giants | +3300 |
| Bobby Wagner | ILB | Seattle Seahawks | +3300 |
| Fletcher Cox | DT | Philadelphia Eagles | +3500 |
| Harrison Smith | S | Minnesota Vikings | +4000 |
| Myles Jack | LB | Jacksonville Jaguars | +4000 |
| Earl Thomas | S | Seattle Seahawks | +4500 |
| Tyrann Mathieu | CB | Houston Texans | +4500 |
| Xavier Rhodes | CB | Minnesota Vikings | +5000 |
| Brandon Graham | DE | Philadelphia Eagles | +5000 |
| Bradley Chubb | EDGE | Denver Broncos | +5800 |
| Jadaveon Clowney | DE | Houston Texans | +6500 |
| Deion Jones | LB | Atlanta Falcons | +6500 |
| CJ Mosley | ILB | Baltimore Ravens | +6500 |
| FIELD | +1800 |
A History of the DPOY Award
Aaron Donald took home the honors last season, outplaying offensive-lineman the same way he outplayed his contract (more on that below).
| Year | NFL Defensive Player of the Year | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Aaron Donald | DL |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | EDGE |
| 2015 | JJ Watt (3) | DL |
| 2014 | JJ Watt (2) | DL |
| 2013 | Luke Kuechly | ILB |
Watt’s 2012 and 2015 campaigns saw him lead the league in sacks, but those are the only two seasons in the last decade where the sack-king was also crowned Defensive Player of the Year.
Elite ball-hawking can give you a shot at the title, as proven by defensive back legends Charles Woodson (2009 DPOY) and Troy Polamalu (2010 DPOY). Woodson tied for the league-lead with nine interceptions in 2009, and Polamalu’s seven were just one behind the leader in 2010.
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