2013 NFL Defensive ROY Odds and Predictions – NFL Rookie of the Year Favorites

2013 NFL Defensive ROY Odds and Predictions – NFL Rookie of the Year Favorites: While quarterbacks have historically dominated the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, linebackers have enjoyed a similar edge when it comes to the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. In fact, linebackers have earned the honor seven times in the last eight years with the lone exception being defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in 2010. Last year, Carolina linebacker Luke Keuchly took home the award after leading the NFL with 164 tackles. Granted, it was a bit uncommon for a rookie to lead the entire league in the category, but the fact that Kuechly and other linebackers have a lot of opportunities to be around the ball and make plays is a big reason why the position has had a stranglehold on the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. On that note, here is a closer look at that players that could take home the honor in the 2013 NFL season.

The Favorites

Talent and need combine to form a golden opportunity for New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro this season. The hard-hitting, athletic defensive back has all the skills and instincts to be a playmaker in the secondary, and with the Saints’ defense lacking in the talent department, he will put in situation to make play early and often. Meanwhile, he should register a hefty tackle total thanks to the struggles of the team’s defensive front. Vaccaro has a chance to look good on the highlight reels and the stat sheet, which could easily lead to Rookie of the Year honors in 2013.

Coming off a season when he led the country in sacks, former Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones is slated to start in one of the premier spots in the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Jones will serve as the team’s main rush linebacker, and he certainly has the combination of strength and speed to get the job done. Meanwhile, James Harrison thrived in a similar role over the years, taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors at one point. Jones probably isn’t ready for that kind of major hardware just yet, but Defensive Rookie of the Years honors are definitely possible.

The Dark Horses

The Miami Dolphins traded up in the draft to grab defensive end Dion Jordan. While he likely needs some polish before he can be more than just a pass-rusher, his length and speed will make him one heck of a pass-rusher in the meantime. Jordan should also benefit from being a part of one the best defensive fronts in the NFL, and with fellow DE Cameron Wake and DT Randy Starks commanding constant double teams, Jordan could make a run at double digit sacks and Rookie of the Year honors.

Off-the-field concerns caused Alec Ogletree to slip to the end of the first round, but the freakishly-athletic linebacker is a top-10 talent, and he couldn’t have picked a better situation to land in than St. Louis. With inside linebacker James Laurinaitis taking care of business in the trenches, Ogletree will be able to use his speed to make plays off the edge. Not to mention the fact that he should plenty of room to knife into the backfield since he is playing behind a young, talented defensive line that helped the Rams lead the NFL in sacks last year. If Ogletree capitalizes on his favorable situation to deliver plenty of big plays, Rookie of the Year honors are possible.

The Sleeper

While the fake girlfriend incident has made him the butt of countless jokes, the fact remains that Manti Te’o can play football. In fact, he has all but secured a starting spot with the Chargers. Playing in the middle of the San Diego defense, the linebacker should have plenty of chances to pile up tackles, and while he may not be the most explosive player, tackles are an easy way to measure a player’s production. It isn’t out of the question that Te’o leads all rookies in the category this year, and that could be enough to land him Rookie of the Year honors.

Odds to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Arthur Brown +750
Ezekiel Ansah +800
Jarvis Jones +850
Matt Elam +1200
Star Lotulelei +1250
Sylvester Williams +1500
Alec Ogletree +1500
Sharrif Floyd +1500
John Jenkins +1500
Kevin Minter +1500
Kenny Vaccaro +1500
Manti Teo +1500
Margus Hunt +1500
Barkevious Mingo +1500
Datone Jones +1500
Dee Milliner +1500
Dion Jordan +1500
Tyran Mathieu +1750
Robert Alford +1800
Sheldon Richardson +2000
D J Hayden +2000
Eric Reid +2000
Desmond Trufant +2000
Xavier Rhodes +2000

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