Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt is the fourth-highest favourite to win Defensive Participant of the 12 months subsequent season, per odds posted by DraftKings. At +950, Watt trails Detroit Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson (+650), Dallas Cowboys EDGE Micah Parsons (+750) and Cleveland Browns DL Myles Garrett (+850).
Watt’s coming off what was a down 12 months by his requirements, recording 11.5 sacks, his lowest complete in a full season since his rookie 12 months. He nonetheless completed fourth in Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting and was a second-team All-Professional, so it’s straightforward to see why Watt remains to be one of many favorites.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see him as soon as once more be probably the most dominant pass-rusher within the league, however Hutchinson was having an extremely spectacular 12 months earlier than struggling a severe leg damage. Parsons has had double-digit sacks in all 4 of his years within the league. Garrett additionally outproduced Watt final season and is all the time a contender for the award.
Denver Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II received the award final 12 months, however he’s eleventh within the present betting odds at +4000. Minkah Fitzpatrick at +15000 is the closest Steeler to Watt on the record, whereas Alex Highsmith and Joey Porter Jr. are each at +20000.
The best way it really works is a $100 wager on Watt to win at +950 would win $950. In the meantime, betting $100 on Highsmith or Porter to win would pay $20,000. The worth with Watt could possibly be there, as he’s received the award earlier than, in 2021, and arguably ought to’ve received it in 2023 when he was edged out by Garrett.
Watt’s additionally getting into what, as of now, is his final 12 months of his contract, and the group and him are engaged on an extension, though early indications had been that the talks weren’t going nicely. However it could be a giant shock if Watt entered the 2025 season with no new deal, and a brand new contract may assist be a motivating issue to push Watt into one other stage.
Prefer it often is, it must be a tightly-contested race for Defensive Participant of the 12 months, and Vegas thinks that T.J. Watt shall be concerned with it all through the season. It may be laborious for Watt to return out on prime over somebody who hasn’t received the award but like Parsons or Hutchinson is all three put up comparable seasons, however Watt has confirmed earlier than that he’s one of the best pass-rusher in soccer and if he can play prefer it this season, he may be laborious to beat.
