NFL Defensive Player of the Year Predictions 2026: Myles Garrett Aiming to Repeat

Year after year, the race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year stands out as one of the league’s most competitive award markets. With an elite collection of edge rushers, lockdown corners, do-everything linebackers, and interior disruptors, there is never a shortage of viable candidates.

While offensive superstars typically command the spotlight in the NFL MVP odds, defensive futures offer unique betting value - much like monitoring first-year playmakers rising up the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds boards.

Pinpointing a single winner for Defensive Player of the Year honors can certainly be tough, but placing an accurate wager on the ultimate winner can deliver a lucrative payout.

AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Check the table below for the latest Super Bowl odds, courtesy of some of the best US sports betting sites available today.

Check out our curated list of the best NFL betting sites and score the latest NFL promo codes and bonuses along the way.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Winner - My Pick

While the race for top defensive honors is packed with elite pass rushers and shutdown cornerbacks, one player possesses the raw, game-breaking talent to completely separate himself from the pack. When combining projected statistical dominance with sheer backfield disruption, my top pick for Defensive Player of the Year is an undeniable force.

Myles Garrett (+450) at Caesars Sportsbook

Myles Garrett is widely considered the best candidate to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the upcoming 2026 season. Fresh off winning the honor in 2025 after a record-setting 22-sack campaign, Garrett has firmly established himself as the most disruptive edge rusher in football. Following his blockbuster June trade to the Los Angeles Rams, he now steps into a defensive scheme uniquely suited to maximize his explosive, game-wrecking ability.

Oddsmakers currently list him as the heavy betting favorite - ahead of other elite defenders like Micah Parsons, Maxx Crosby, and Will Anderson Jr. - because his unparalleled consistency in generating backfield pressure and converting it into drive-killing sacks gives him the clearest path to capturing his third DPOY trophy.

Double Your Winnings at Caesars with Code WSNDYW

AP Defensive Player of the Year Award History

The Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award was officially introduced in 1971, with legendary Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page taking home the inaugural honor. Since that historic milestone, the prestigious accolade has been handed out at the conclusion of every single NFL season, standing as the definitive recognition of the league's most outstanding individual defensive talent.

Today, the winner is determined by a nationwide, blue-ribbon panel of 50 media members, consisting of prominent sportswriters and broadcasters who regularly cover the league.

See the award winners in the past 15 years in the table below.

How to Bet on NFL Defensive Player of the Year

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.

How to Read NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

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.

Where to Bet on NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Shopping for the best odds across multiple sportsbooks is critical when placing futures wagers on individual awards like Defensive Player of the Year. Different operators can vary significantly on player pricing, especially for dark-horse edge rushers or defensive backs. Here are three top sportsbooks offering exceptional markets and value for DPOY betting:

• Caesars Sportsbook: Renowned for high betting limits and generous daily odds boosts, Caesars is an ideal destination for futures bettors looking to maximize potential returns. Their streamlined app makes navigating award markets simple, and placing your DPOY wager earns you Caesars Rewards points that can be redeemed for bonus bets or hotel stays. Sign up for an account with our Caesars Sportsbook promo code WSNDYW to claim the latest bonus offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings 10x.

• FanDuel Sportsbook: With its best-in-class mobile interface and early-market releases, FanDuel is a powerhouse for NFL futures. They consistently offer competitive lines on all primary defensive candidates and allow bettors to easily stack defensive player performance props into custom parlays as the season progresses. The current offer is as follows: Bet $5, Get up to $1,000 in Bet Resets. Just use our link to sign up and claim the bonus; no manual entry of a FanDuel promo code is needed.

• BetMGM Sportsbook: Dubbed the "King of Sportsbooks," BetMGM provides some of the deepest futures markets in the industry. Beyond standard DPOY odds, BetMGM excels at providing dynamic line movements that react quickly to weekly performance shifts, along with custom promotions and bonus bet offers tailored for the NFL season. Use BetMGM bonus code WSNSPORTS when signing up for an account and claim your bonus: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

*21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.