The Defensive Rookie of the year will be a tight race to start the year before several of the leading candidates will separate themselves. Micah Parsons (+600) is the Odds on favorite to take home the award playing for the Dallas Cowboys, while Jaelan Phillips and Kwity Paye are tied for the 2nd best odds at +900 each.
2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
- Micah Parsons +600
- Jaelan Phillips +900
- Kwity Paye +900
- Jamin Davis +1000
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah +1000
- Patrick Surtain II +1200
- Zaven Collins +1400
- Jaycee Horn +1800
- Azeez Ojulari +2000
Micah Parsons is the clear favorite to win the DROY and it is clear as to why. Parsons dominated during his time at Penn St recording over 8 tackles a game before being forced to sit in 2020 due to Covid Protocols. Parsons went #12 in the 2021 draft and has the highest ceiling of all the defenders. Parsons is expected to to play in week 1 as a starter for Dallas. With the ability to be on the field every game for the majority of the defensive snaps its clear why Parsons is the favorite to win the award.
Jaelan Phillips is expected to be a great defensive piece and assume an important role this season for the Miami Dolphins. Phillips had a tough road to the NFL with a transfer and an injury history that forced him into retirement at one point. Phillips has all the intangibles to be an elite defender in this league but will take time to find his role with his injury history.
Kwity Paye had an outstanding college career but much like other players around the nation Covid got in the way. Even though Paye missed games and had a smaller sample size then some of his counter parts the Colts still took him 21st overall in 2021. Paye has a long future ahead in this league but wont compete enough with the favorites to take home the DROY award.
There is some value with the other guys on this list outside of the Top 3 but all roads lead to Micah Parsons. As long as the Cowboys rookie stays healthy and contributes in the manner he is expected this is his award to lose. Any other year there are several guys who could compete for the award but this year the Defensive Rookie of the Year plays in Dallas.
