Aaron Donald again? Odds say yes
When a player has won three of the past four Defensive Player of Year awards and still in the prime of his career, it makes sense he would be favored to win again.
Enter Aaron Donald, the favorite to win this year at +500, according to FanDuel. Donald had arguably his best season last year, anchoring the top defense in the league. He finished the year with 13.5 sacks and 14 TFLs.
IS THIS MYLES GARRETT’S YEAR?
After missing two games last season with Covid-19, Myles Garrett is primed for a breakout year. He is heading into the season fully healthy and will have Jadeveon Clowney on the other side to help take the pressure off.
The Browns defense upgraded their secondary, adding John Johnson and Troy Hill. These additions should give Garrett more time to get after the quarterback. Garrett at +600 is the runner-up, right behind Donald.Â
BOUNCEBACK TIME FOR NICK BOSA?
Nick Bosa only played two games last season after tearing his ACL in Week 3. He has been a full participant in 49ers practices this week and will be fully healthy to start the season. Bosa was a beast in his rookie season.
He had nine sacks and 16 TFLs and was the best player on the best defense in the league. Oddsmakers are high on him heading into the 2021 season, sitting with the fourth-best odds at +1100, according to FanDuel.Â
TJ WATT’S REVENGE YEAR
It was a 50/50 split amongst the football world who should have won the 2020 defensive player of the year award. It was between TJ Watt and Aaron Donald, and Donald ultimately won the award. Watt enters the 2021 season with the third-best odds according to FanDuel at +750.Â
2020 Article, Sept. 4, 2020
J.J Watt or Aaron Donald have won five out of the last eight Defensive Player of the Year awards and both are near the top of 2020 odds as well. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Donald is a big favorite at +700, while a pair of Watts and a pair of Bosas rank in the Top 5.
Aaron Donald is capable of elevating his play to surpass his stand-out 2018 season. It’s hard to believe that 2019 was considered a ‘down year’ when his stats equalled those of his 2017 Defensive POY season. Still, Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore won it a year ago, the first CB in more than a decade to claim the prize. Donald will have some help on the edge to take the pressure off as the Los Angeles Rams brought in Leonard Floyd. He was +200 last year entering the season (on the heels of consecutive wins) and for this reason, +700 represents excellent betting value.