With the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs set for an AFC Championship Game rematch on Thursday Night Football kickoff on September 5, the 2024 NFL regular season is only a few weeks away. That’s right, fewer than 4 weeks from now we will have meaningful NFL football taking place on the gridiron. 

With the 2024 season rapidly approaching, our team at Pickswise is diving headlong into its coverage for upcoming campaign. Our analysis and projections for the NFL futures market continue with a look at the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. A season ago, this award went to Will Anderson Jr. Will another SEC player take down this award once again? We’ll have to find out. 

Who will be the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024? Let’s take a look at the odds and best bets to make. 

2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds

Odds reflect best numbers available at FanDuel and/or BetMGM Sportsbook at time of publishing.

Here are the odds:

Dallas Turner +400
Laiatu Latu +430
Jared Verse +1100
Terrion Arnold +1200
Byron Murphy +1200
Quinyon Mitchell +2000
Chop Robinson +1700
Nate Wiggins +3000
Edgerrin Cooper +3000
Cooper Dejean +3500
Payton Wilson +3500
Darius Robinson +3500
Braden Fiske +3500
Kool-Aid McKinstry +4000 

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year best bet: Jared Verse (+700 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

While there are other defensive rookies that find themselves in good situations in starting roles where they can make an impact, but there isn’t much value on the likes of Dallas Turner or Laiatu Latu at their current prices of around +400 in the market. In contrast, snagging Verse at 11-1 is a much better play given the price and playing time he should receive. The former Florida State standout had a terrific last couple of seasons on the college gridiron and enters into Los Angeles in a perfect spot for him to succeed. Verse will likely be starting from Day 1 on the Rams, where the loss of Aaron Donald in the middle of the defensive line will undoubtedly leave a massive gap in production. I’m expecting plenty of snaps for the rookie as part of a team that is looking to make a playoff push in a fairly open NFC this season. The 19th overall pick was stellar in college against elite competition and we should see a fairly seamless transition into success at the professional level under defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Expect a big first year for Verse in a role where he should shine from Week 1.