2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds and Predictions – Favorites to Win NFL DPOY

2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds and Predictions – Favorites to Win NFL DPOY: Although the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award has been historically dominated by linebackers and defensive ends, the last four winners have all played different positions. During the stretch, Charles Woodson became the first corner to win the award since Deion Sanders back in 2004. Last year, it was Houston defensive end J.J. Watt earning the honor. Watt did it all for the Texans, stuffing the stat sheet, making big plays and leading the NFL in sacks. Although Watt should certainly be a threat to win the award again in 2013, there are several other young players and established stars that could just as easily take home Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013. On that note, here is a closer look at the contenders.

2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

The Favorites

Considering, defending Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt took home the award in just his second season in the NFL, there is a good chance that his best is yet to come. Keep in mind that he led the league with 20.5 sacks and had 81 tackles and 16 pass deflections as a defensive end in Houston 3-4 scheme, which means he is guaranteed to face a double team in every play. Watt was praised for his energy coming out of college, but it is obvious that he is the total package. If even approaches his number from 2012, he could easily be named the NFL’s top defender for the second year in a row.

In what was a down year by his standards, Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware managed 11.5 sacks and five forced fumbles despite playing with essentially one arm because of a shoulder injury. With both his arms at his disposal in 2013, Ware should go back to being the player that tallied 19.5 sacks in 2011 and has logged 111.0 sacks in eight seasons in the NFL. Ware is the ultimate hybrid linebacker, possessing the size and strength to play defensive end and the speed and agility to play outside. With the Cowboys shifting to a 4-3 base in 2013, Ware should have even more lanes to attack. Another run at the single-season sack record and Defensive Player of the Year honors seems likely.

The Dark Horses

Last season, Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews finished fifth in the NFL with 13.0 sacks. By the way, he managed that total despite battling injuries and playing just 12 games. Matthews is healthy heading into the 2013 season, and perhaps more importantly, the Packers have spent the last two drafts bolstering the front seven with the likes of Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy and Datone Jones. Matthews has been able to pile up impressive numbers over the years as the Packers’ lone defensive weapon, and with a little help, he should have a real shot at putting together a season worthy of Defensive Player of the Year honors.

An injury cost him almost all of the 2012 regular season, but Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 when he had 14.0 sacks and seven forced fumbles. Suggs is full healthy entering this season, and with veterans Ed Reed and Ray Lewis no longer on the team, he will be the leader of the Ravens’ defensive unit. Suggs can play either defensive end or outside linebacker because of his combination of size and speed, and as long as he returns to his 2011 form, he will have a shot at earning Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time in three years.

In his two seasons in the NFL, San Francisco linebacker Aldon Smith has amassed an incredible 33.5 sacks. Last year, he had 19.5 and was on his way to setting a new single-season record when teammate Justin Smith was injured and opponents could afford to focus solely on Smith. Heading into the 2013 season Justin Smith is healthy and ready to pave the way for Aldon Smith, and another year of experience on Aldon’s part won’t hurt either. His pass-rushing skills are already elite, and if he can just become a little more complete as a defender, Defensive Player of the Years honors could be headed his way.

The Sleeper

Warren Sapp was the last defensive tackle to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award way back in 1999, but Cincinnati’s Geno Atkins has a chance to end the drought this season. His burst off the line allows him to split double teams and terrorize opposing backfields. While most defensive tackles settle for occupying space and opening up lanes for their teammates, Atkins is engaging multiple blockers and still making plays. Last year, he has 12.5 sacks and forced four fumbles, and considering the 2013 season will be just his fourth in the NFL, there is a good chance his numbers are going to improve. If they improve enough, Defensive Player of the Year honors aren’t out of the question.

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