2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds


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With the 2011 NFL draft in the books, it’s time to start thinking about the impact that some of these rookies will have in their first season. 2011 Defensive Player of the Year odds have already been released, and I’m going to give you my early favorites to win the award.

Nick Fairley, DT, Detroit Lions (+500) - Fairley steps into a great situation in Detroit. The Lions used the No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft to select Ndamukong Suh, who won the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. With the attention that Suh will get on the inside Fairley should be able to really take advantage and make a ton of big plays for a Lions team that could be ready to breakout and compete for a playoff spot. Some people question Fairley’s motivation, but I don’t think that will be a problem playing alongside someone as good as Suh.

Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals (+500) – Peterson provides incredible talent at the cornerback position, and will have a chance to really make a big impact for the Arizona Cardinals on the defensive side of the ball. Peterson will likely get tested in his rookie season, and if he lives up to the hype he could walk away with this award. Peterson also has the ability to help the Cardinals out in the return game, which should only help his stock.

Von Miller, OLB, Denver Broncos (+500) – Miller has and incredible first step and really knows how to get to the quarterback. I likely would have had him as my overall favorite, if he had landed in a 3-4 scheme. Still this guy is going to make some big plays for the Broncos in his first season. Can he do enough to improve a defense that really struggled in 2010? If they are as bad as they were a year ago, he will lose a lot of votes.

Of the last 10 players to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, eight have played the linebacker position. Suh snapped a seven year streak where that position took home the hardware. Even though Miller may not be in the best defense for his ability, history is on his side.

Jimmy Smith, CB, Baltimore Ravens (+800) – Like Fairley, Smith is going into the perfect system. If it wasn’t for his character issues he would have been off the board a lot earlier than No. 27. Those character problems shouldn’t be a problem as long as Ray Lewis is leading the defense. With the Ravens ability to shutdown the run, Smith is going to have a ton of opportunities to make big plays in the secondary.

Adrian Clayborn, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1200) – The Buccaneers have made the defensive line a priority. In the 2010 draft they used their first two picks on Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. This year they used their first two picks on defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers. I think both Clayborn and Bowers (if healthy) are going to come in and really play well. Because there is uncertainty with Bowers, I am going to go with Clayborn as my sleeper pick for the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Related:

Complete 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Nick Fairley +500
Patrick Peterson +500
Von Miller +500
Marcell Dareus +600
Jimmy Smith +800
Prince Amukamara +800
Aldon Smith +1000
Bruce Carter +1000
Adrian Clayborn +1200
Cameron Jordan +1200
JJ Watt +1200
Robert Quinn +1200
Ryan Kerrigan +1200
Aaron Williams +1500
Corey Lliguet +1500
Marvin Austin +1500
Muhammed Wilkerson +1500
Cameron Heyward +1500
Jabaal Sheard +1800
Da’Quan Bowers +2000
Phil Taylor +2000
Field +800

 

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