Value play: Bet Chicago Bears’ Montez Sweat to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Between Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt, they have 6 of the last 12 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards . But both are now retired.

The last 3 winners have been edge defenders with big sack totals — Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett (2023), San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa (2022) and J.J.’s younger brother, Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt (2021).

In 2024, the Chicago Bears are expected to be better, potentially competing for a spot in the postseason. Perhaps no other player changed how his team’s defense performed on the field than DE Montez Sweat , who led both the Bears and the Washington Commanders in sacks last season — he was traded from Washington to Chicago midseason.

After combining for 12.5 sacks between the 2 teams, Sweat is a fantastic value to win this coming season’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Below, we analyze the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds from BetMGM Sportsbook and make the best suggestion among our expert NFL picks and predictions .

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2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, July 17 at 4:39 a.m. ET.

• Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys (+650)
• Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns (+650)
• T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers (+750)
• Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers (+800)
• Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders (+900)
• Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions (+1500)
• Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars (+2500)
• Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs (+2500)
• Will Anderson, Houston Texans (+3000)
• Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears (+3000)

NOTABLE

+ 3500 : Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans

+ 4000 : Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

+ 25000 : T.J. Edwards, Chicago Bears

For full list, see BetMGM Sportsbook .

NFL Defensive Player of the Year best bet

EDGE Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears (+3000)

The last 3 winners of the award have been different edge defenders, each netting at least 14 sacks. Garrett won last season with 14, while Bosa had 18.5 the season before and Watt 19 before that.

Sweat had 12.5 sacks last season, split between 2 teams. Once he was traded to the Bears, his presence changed Chicago’s defense. After allowing 30 or more points 4 times in the first 8 games, it gave up 17.8 points per game in Sweat’s 9 games.

In 2024, Chicago has what should be a very good offense that might actually give the Bears some leads. Teams with leads rush the passer more and get more sacks. Sweat will prosper and record some of those “more” sacks.

He had 5 games with more than 1 sack last season with the Bears and the Commanders. He played 8 games with no sacks. With more pass-rushing opportunities, if he produces at the same rate in games he did have sacks and if he cuts the zero-sack games in half, then that would put him at 16-plus for the season.

With the +3000 odds to win the award, it gives us the potential for a huge payout.

BET MONTEZ SWEAT to win NFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (+ 3000 ).

For more sports betting picks and tips , check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW .

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