The top three players on the odds board to win the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award are in familiar territory. That’s because the trio has combined to win the last five honors with Los Angeles Rams lineman Aaron Donald the betting favorite at top online sportsbooks to three-peat. Widely considered the best defensive player in the game today, Donald has amassed over 100 tackles with 31.5 sacks the last two seasons. As long as he stays healthy, Donald is in position to become the third three-time winner.
There will be stiff competition from Khalil Mack and another three-time winner J.J. Watt. Von Miller and Bobby Wagner are two of the better defenders in the game and both are looking for their first DPOY. Can Miller flourish under Vic Fangio, who put together some stellar defenses during his time as coordinator with the 49ers and Bears? Miller is fourth on the board at +853 while Wagner can be bought at +3038.
2019 Defensive Player of the Year Odds at BookMaker.eu
Aaron Donald +200
Khalil Mack +351
JJ Watt +803
Von Miller +853
Myles Garrett +1200
Joey Bosa +1815
Demarcus Lawrence +3038
Bobby Wagner +3038
Cameron Jordan +3552
Leighton Vander Esch +3552
Darius Leonard +3552
Luke Kuechly +3552
Frank Clark +3552
Fletcher Cox +4000
Chandler Jones +4500
Landon Collins +5000
Deion Jones +5000
Chris Jones +5000
Bradley Chubb +5500
Earl Thomas +6000
Jalen Ramsey +6000
Roquan Smith +6161
Harrison Smith +6500
C.J Mosley +6500
Derwin James +6500
Danielle Hunter +7500
Jamal Adams +8000
Levonte David +8000
Jurrell Casey +8500
Kwon Alexander +8500
Jadeveon Clowney +8500
Eddie Jackson +8500
Denzel Ward +10000
DeForest Buckner +10000
Tyrann Mathieu +10000
Everson Griffen +10000
Calais Campbell +10000
Dee Ford +12000
Blake Martinez +12500
Myles Jack +12500
Leonard Williams +15000
Trey Flowers +15000
Field (Any Other Player) +4000
The discussion for this award begins with Donald, who became the third repeat winner in 2018 joining Watt and Lawrence Taylor. He’s still just 28 years old and in the prime of his career. There could have been an argument over his 2017 selection. That wasn’t the case last year when Donald terrorized opponents leading the NFL in sacks with 20.5 and tackles for loss. It’s odd for an interior lineman to put up those kinds of numbers, but Donald isn’t your average player.
Mack was the last DPOY winner before Donald, claiming the award in 2016. His trade to Chicago before the start of last season turned a good Bears defense into a great one. He’s produced at least 10 sacks in each of the last four seasons but hasn’t had more than 12.5 in the last three. He is a disruptive player, however I don’t think he’ll put up the numbers required to win the award. It would be a good idea to fade him, especially at the price.
Watt was the most dominant defensive player in the NFL between 2012 and 2015, winning the DPOY three times in that span while recording 69 sacks. He made a glorious return last year after injuries limited him to a total of eight games the previous two seasons. Watt had 16 sacks with a league-high seven forced fumbles. He may not reach the form from that four-year run, but he has to be considered.
Miller will benefit with a defensive-minded coach running the show in Denver. Over the last two seasons Miller has over 100 tackles 24.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. The Broncos regressed on that side of the ball last year but should see a resurgence under Fangio. Another player I like who has value is Indy’s Darius Leonard. No player stuffed the stat sheet like Leonard did last year with 163 tackles, 7.0 sacks, eight passes defended and four forced fumbles. The wrecking ball is a definite candidate in 2019 at a bargain price of +3552.
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