/fit-in/64x64/1682508559/bryan-zarpentine-headshot.jpg "Bryan Zarpentine"){kind=small}
Myles Garrett (CLE) remains the solid DPOY favorite after Week 11
Micah Parsons (GB) saw his odds drop slightly following a loss
Nik Bonitto (DEN) and Aidan Hutchinson (DET) maintained their positions as top challengers
Year after year, the race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year is one of the league’s most competitive award races. With a strong collection of edge rushers, not to mention lockdown corners, do-everything linebackers, and defensive line disruptors, there is no shortage of viable candidates for the award every season. This can make it difficult to pick a winner for Defensive Player of the Year honors. But it also means a big payday if you can place an accurate wager on who will end up winning the Defensive Player of the Year race.
Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Click on the odds below to go to FanDuel and place a wager on who you think will win Defensive Player of the Year: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.
| Player | Position | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myles Garrett | Defensive End (DE) | Cleveland Browns | -200 BET HERE |
| Micah Parsons | Defensive End / Outside Linebacker (DE/OLB) | Green Bay Packers | +360 BET HERE |
| Aidan Hutchinson | Defensive End (DE) | Detroit Lions | +1200 BET HERE |
| Nik Bonitto | Outside Linebacker (OLB) | Denver Broncos | +1200 BET HERE |
| Will Anderson Jr. | Defensive End (DE) | Houston Texans | +1500 BET HERE |
| Danielle Hunter | Defensive End (DE) | Houston Texans | +2000 BET HERE |
| Jared Verse | Linebacker / Outside Linebacker (LB/OLB) | Los Angeles Rams | +2500 BET HERE |
| Brian Burns | Linebacker (LB) / Edge | New York Giants | +2500 BET HERE |
| Byron Young | Outside Linebacker (OLB) | Los Angeles Rams | +4500 BET HERE |
| T.J. Watt | Outside Linebacker (OLB) | Pittsburgh Steelers | +8000 BET HERE |
Rest of the candidates listed at +8000 odds and higher.
Micah Parsons is a strong Defensive Player of the Year candidate because he is consistently one of the NFL's most dominant and versatile pass-rushers, remaining near the top of the betting odds throughout the season. He has elite production with high pressure and pass-rush win rates, often leading the league in these advanced metrics, and has finished in the top three of DPOY voting multiple times, showing he is already highly respected by voters. His ability to create chaos and be a difference-maker for his team makes him a high-impact, high-upside bet.
In the modern NFL, pass-rushers are the kings of the defense. That’s where the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year should begin and end. Occasionally, a lockdown cornerback will win the award, but for the most part, the serious candidates for DPOTY are pass rushers. Obviously, you should be aware of other standout players on that side of the ball. But most bets on Defensive Player of the Year should be on an elite pass rusher.
It’s also good to keep in mind that stats also tend to dominate NFL awards. The league leader in sacks usually has a huge leg up in the DPOTY race. Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect science. Leading the NFL in sacks doesn’t automatically win someone Defensive Player of the Year honors. But there’s no doubt the league’s sack leader will be a serious contender. Unless there is a good reason why someone else should win, players who are at or near the top of the league leaders in sacks are usually a good bet to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Typically, there are several good candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. This means that most candidates will have plus (+) odds, meaning a sizable profit if you bet on the right player. For example, a $100 bet on a player with +750 odds will earn a profit of $750. Of course, it’s possible late in the season for there to be a clear-cut favorite. In some instances, that player may have negative (-) odds, which means the bet is safer but comes with a smaller profit. For instance, if a player has -300 odds, you will need to wager $300 in order to make a $100 profit.
FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best places to bet on the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. One reason is that FanDuel is one of the NFL’s official betting sponsors. Therefore, FanDuel has a wide variety of betting markets, including major awards like Defensive Player of the Year.
On top of all of the betting options at FanDuel, new users can claim a lucrative offer. When you sign up with FanDuel, you are eligible to claim the welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins, It’s an easy welcome offer to claim because there is no promo code required. Just sign up and win the first bet you place.
The AP Defensive Player of the Year History was introduced in 1971 and has been handed out at the end of every NFL season since. It is voted upon by a panel of 50 sportswriters and is presented by the Associated Press.
| Past Defensive Player of the Year Winner | Year |
|---|---|
| Patrick Surtain II | 2024 |
| Myles Garrett | 2023 |
| Nick Bosa | 2022 |
| T.J. Watt | 2021 |
| Aaron Donald | 2020 |
| Stephon Gilmore | 2019 |
| Aaron Donald | 2018 |
| Aaron Donald | 2017 |
| Khalil Mack | 2016 |
| J.J. Watt | 2015 |
| J.J. Watt | 2014 |
| Luke Kuechly | 2013 |
| J.J. Watt | 2012 |
| Terrell Suggs | 2011 |
| Troy Polamalu | 2010 |
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/1682508559/bryan-zarpentine-headshot.jpg "Bryan zarpentine headshot")
Bryan Zarpentine
Sports Betting Analyst
| Email: | bryan.zarpentine@wsn.com |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Bachelor of Arts |
| Favourite Sportsbook: | BetMGM Sportsbook |
| Favourite Casino: | BetMGM Casino |
| Experience: | 14 years |
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