2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds: Packers' Rashan Gary taking sudden heavy betting action

A couple of weeks ago, we told you that Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby was taking the most action of any player at Caesars Sportsbook to win 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. That's still true with Crosby at +5000. However, an even bigger long shot has since rocketed up the board as well -- Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary, who is now +6000.

Gary was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Michigan, and the Packers picked up his rookie fifth-year option at nearly $11 million this past spring in a no-brainer move. Gary wasn't a full-time starter his first two years in the league – the Packers had veteran free agents Za'Darius and Preston Smith ahead of him -- but was last year, and he responded. In 16 games, Gary had 47 combined tackles, 28 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. In the upset playoff home loss to San Francisco, he sacked Jimmy Garoppolo twice.

Gary finished with more sacks than in his first two seasons combined (eight), more quarterback hits than those first two years, and just as many tackles for loss (eight). If Gary has another big year in 2022, he is going to break the bank next winter and the Packers will have a decision to make.

Gary had opened at +10000 at Caesars to win Defensive Player of the Year, which only two Packers have won. Both were future Hall of Famers: Reggie White in 1998 and Charles Woodson in 2009. An Illinois bettor put $1,000 on Gary +10000 for potential winnings of $100,000, and a Colorado bettor dropped $1,000 on Gary at +8000 for potential winnings of $80,000.

Overall, Gary is now second to Crosby in total dollars wagered on this prop at 15 percent, but it wasn't just those two 1K bets as Gary is also third in total number of tickets at seven percent.

The Rams' Aaron Donald (+700), Steelers' TJ Watt (+700) and Browns' Myles Garrett (+750) remain the DPOY favorites. Donald has won the award three times and Watt did last year, but Garrett is taking the most action of that group with 10 percent of the total money on this prop and six percent of the tickets.

Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp plays on the total, and props you can take straight to the pay window? Join Jonathan Coachman on the Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview the day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short, sweet and to put some green in your pocket. Early Edge is in your feed every single day by 11 a.m. ET. Subscribe right here on YouTube to watch daily, plus don't miss the Early Edge specials and live shows!