Just this past season, despite being an underdog to win, Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award. Could there be another dark horse candidate to take home the hardware in 2020?
Before the 2019 season began, Gilmore had +8000 odds to win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award. However, the All-Pro cornerback would respond with 20 pass breakups, six interceptions, and two touchdowns.
Heading into next season, just as expected, guys like Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack are among the odds leaders for the award. While Donald and Mack are popular picks to win it, let's take a look at three dark horse candidates to win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020.
Jalen Ramsey
Since the 2009 season, there have only been two cornerbacks to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. Besides Gilmore in 2019, Charles Woodson won the prestigious award with the Green Bay Packers in 2009.
After Gilmore represented the cornerback position well last season, Jalen Ramsey has a chance to do the same in 2020. Ramsey is preparing to enter his first full season with the Los Angeles after being traded to them a season ago.
In nine games with the Rams, the three-time Pro Bowler would record four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and an interception. While some people have forgotten the talent that Ramsey possesses, he could insert his name as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate next season.
Za'Darius Smith
Over a year ago, Za'Darius Smith elected to sign with the Packers on a four-year deal worth $66 million. Before he arrived in Green Bay, Smith played his first four seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens.
In his first year as a full-time starter with the Packers, Smith would notch a career-high 13.5 sacks. At the same time, he tied for the league-lead in quarterback hits with 37 of them in 2019.
Following a stellar debut season in Green Bay, Smith appears to be evolving into one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL. Despite having +3500 odds to win the award, Smith is a name to watch in the upcoming season.
Darius Leonard
When speaking about the best linebackers in the NFL, most people mention Bobby Wagner, Lavonte David, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander-Esch, and Darius Leonard. All Leonard has done in his first two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts is tally a total of 284 tackles.
In addition to his impressive number of tackles, Leonard has combined for 12 sacks, six forced fumbles, 15 pass breakups, and seven interceptions. Lastly, the former second-round pick out of South Carolina State has been a two-time Pro Bowler and was an All-Pro as a rookie in 2018.
With the addition of DeForest Buckner this offseason, Leonard could have a chance to produce even better numbers for the Colts in 2020. As a result, the versatile linebacker should be considered an underdog that could win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
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