Sacks are a quarterback's nightmare and a defensive linemen's most praised stat. Curiously, it was not officially recorded as a player stat until 1982, nearly 62 years after the founding of the NFL.
However, in the modern game of football, sacks are an integral part of a defensive scheme, and online sportsbooks take notice of that stat by offering NFL player prop bets on which defensive end or outside linebacker will record the most regular season sacks in 2023.
Let's get to know the top contenders for the upcoming NFL season.
Nick Bosa The Reigning Sack Leader (+800)
Younger brothers have much to prove in the NFL, especially if big brother (Joey Bosa) is still in the league and playing the same position. Nick Bosa entered the NFL in 2019 after being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. He quickly proved why he was the second overall pick by recording 9 regular-season sacks and 32 solo tackles.
However, an ACL injury in 2020 put him on injured reserve for the rest of the season, only to come back in 2021 with 15.5 sacks. Nick had a fantastic season in 2022, making it to the NFC finals and sacking opposing quarterbacks 18.5 times in the regular season, sufficient to win the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year. Bosa is entering the last year of his rookie contract and is confident his talent will be rewarded.
"I think I'll get what I deserve," said Bosa this offseason.
Nick's strong performance in 2022 makes him a favorite in bookmakers' eyes, granting him +800 odds to have the most regular-season sacks in 2023.
Myles Garrett Is Not Joking About Sacks (+1000)
The Cleveland Browns’ defensive end is the type of player that fills his front yard with tombstones carved with the names of quarterbacks he is going up against in the season. Myles did exactly that in 2021 for Halloween, and with 16 sacks, he had the numbers to prove he was dead serious. Garret had a similar year in 2022, with 16 sacks and 37 solo tackles.
Myles is a physical freak and an extremely productive player. The odds for Garret reaching the top of the sack stats is +1000, and looking at his statements during offseason workouts, Garret believes the Browns defense will have a good year.
“I think the guys that we have are very talented. You get out there and you’re just letting it loose. Get to the ball.” said Myles.
T.J Watt Plans to Reclaim the Sack Title (+1100)
Sacking quarterbacks runs in the Watt family. T.J.’s brother J.J. was a prolific pass rusher during his tenure with the Houston Texans, and judging by his statistics, the younger Watt brother is serious about overshadowing his big brother. T.J. was the league's back-to-back sack leader in 2020 and 2021 and could have repeated if it was not for the pectoral and knee injuries last year, which sidelined him for 7 games.
"I was not 100 percent for a lot of the games, and it was frustrating. I need to stay healthy, and everything else will take care of itself," said Watt during the offseason minicamp.
T.J.'s best season was in 2021, recording 22.5 sacks and winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. If healthy, the Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker can win his third crown as the most accomplished pass rusher in the league. The only reason sportsbooks give him +1100 odds for that honor is last year's injuries and the fact he'll be 29 years old this season.
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