Maybe Richard Sherman is on to something.

Sunday, the leader of the San Francisco 49ers defense made a bold, yet valid statement about the team’s rookie pass-rusher Nick Bosa.

Sherman said people shouldn’t just talk about the Ohio State product being a strong candidate for the NFL Rookie of the Year award, but also as a candidate for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. It was a jarring statement because the only time in NFL history that a rookie has won Defensive Player of the Year was when New York Giants’ linebacker Lawrence Taylor accomplished it in 1981.

RELATED: 2019-20 NFL Defensive Player of The Year Odds

Of course Taylor, the eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer, also won the NFL Rookie of the Year award that year.

Sherman is right. Thirty-eight years later, Bosa is a legitimate candidate to duplicate Taylor’s feat. Bosa, the No. 2 overall pick in the April draft, has been dominant. Oddsmakers are paying attention and don’t disagree with Sherman’s statement.

Bosa No. 2 in Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Bosa is currently +600 in NFL betting at both Draft Kings and at 888Sport. He has the second-lowest odds behind New England Patriots’ cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who is priced at +400. Bosa was priced at +12500 to win the NFL Defensive Player in the Year in August. The 38-year span between rookie winners made that price understandable.

Naturally, Bosa is a +100 favorite to win the NFL Rookie of the Year award. As the first defensive player taken in the draft who plays a high-profile position, Bosa has been a favorite to be the rookie of the year since the preseason.

However, bettors need to consider the current odds of him winning the NFL Defensive of Player of the Year. Sherman is dead on. Bosa is a legitimate candidate to win the award.

Bosa and the San Francisco defense is a huge reason why the 49ers, who are a big road favorite tonight at Arizona, are 7-0. The 49ers went 4-12 last season and earned the pick to take Bosa. The defensive lineman and a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback have clearly been key to the 49ers’ turnaround.

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Seven Sacks in Seven Games for Nick Bosa

Bosa, the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive end Joey Bosa, has seven sacks in as many games. Bosa had a Defensive of Player of the Year showcase again against the Panthers as he had three sacks and an incredible 46-yard catch-and-run interception return.

RELATED: 2019-20 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year Odds

He was named the NFC Defensive of Player of the Week for that effort. It was Bosa’s second such award this month. Thursday, Bosa was named both NFC Defensive Player of the Month and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.

Bosa is proving he is a playmaker and playmakers win Defensive of Player of the Year awards. If he can get tp about 14-16 sacks for the season and make a few more splash plays, he will stay very much in the conversation for this award.

Of course, it won’t hurt Bosa’s case if the 49ers continue to dominate on defense and get into the playoffs, finishing an incredible season turnaround. If these things happen, Sherman’s lofty words might become reality.

My suggestion: Bet Bosa to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award before they shorten even more.