NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2025
The race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year has started to narrow to four clear frontrunners, with three of the league’s most feared pass rushers at the center of the…
Category Ratings
The current favorite entering Week 8 is Micah Parsons, who had his best performance as a Packer in Green Bay’s 27-23 road win over the Cardinals. Parsons got to Jacoby Brissett three times, giving him 5.5 sacks on the year and four in his last three outings. After beginning the season on a limited pitch count while adjusting to the Packers’ scheme, Parsons finally looks healthy and comfortable. He is once again flashing the game-wrecking ability that made him one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL during his four seasons in Dallas.
Right on his heels is Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions’ defensive centerpiece and the player who opened October as the short favorite for the award. Hutchinson’s odds have slipped slightly from +320 entering Week 6 to +380 heading into Week 8, but his production remains elite. With six sacks and four forced fumbles, he has been the engine of Detroit’s resurgent defense, consistently setting the tone with his relentless motor and impact plays in big moments.
Perhaps the biggest shock in this year’s pass-rush landscape has been the emergence of fourth-year Bronco Nik Bonitto. After recording 13.5 sacks in 2024, some questioned if he could replicate that success. Instead, he has taken another leap forward, putting himself on pace for a 20-sack campaign. Once a 90-1 long shot to win DPOTY in the preseason, Bonitto’s meteoric rise has him sitting at +550 as October winds down. If he maintains this trajectory, he could rewrite the expectations for Denver’s defensive ceiling.
Rounding out the group is Myles Garrett, the perennial pass-rush juggernaut who remains a constant headache for offensive coordinators. Garrett started the season hot, posting four sacks in Cleveland’s first three games, but he has cooled off with just one sack over the last four contests. While his impact does not always show up in the stat sheet because of the double teams and chip blocks he attracts on nearly every snap, his slight dip in production has allowed the other three contenders to gain ground in the race.
Before diving into the complete Defensive Player of the Year picture, here is how the top of the odds board looks heading into Week 8.
Week 8 NFL Defensive POTY Odds Report
| Player | Current Odds to Win NFL DPOTY | Odds to Win NFL DPOTY Entering Week 6 | Odds to Win NFL DPOTY Entering Week 4 | Preseason Odds to Win NFL DPOTY |
| Micah Parsons (Packers) | +165 | +360 | +340 | +850 |
| Aidan Hutchinson (Lions) | +380 | +320 | +600 | +850 |
| Nik Bonitto (Broncos) | +550 | +450 | +1500 | +9000 |
| Myles Garrett (Browns) | +650 | +500 | +360 | +750 |
| Will Anderson Jr. (Texans) | +900 | +1800 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Jared Verse (Rams) | +1800 | +2700 | +1900 | +2500 |
| T.J. Watt (Steelers) | +2700 | +2500 | +2500 | +750 |
| Brian Burns (Giants) | +3000 | +4000 | +6000 | +7500 |
The Favorite
Micah Parsons (+165) – EDGE – Green Bay Packers
Parsons entered Week 7 with only 2.5 sacks to his name and was beginning to fade in the race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, temporarily giving way to fellow NFC North pass-rushing star Aidan Hutchinson. The talk of Parsons slipping down the board lasted all of one week.
Against the Arizona Cardinals, Parsons found the perfect matchup to get back on track. He feasted on backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, bringing him down three times and consistently disrupting the pocket. His dominance was a key reason why Green Bay managed to escape the desert with a narrow 27-23 win, and his performance vaulted him back into pole position in the DPOTY race.
Now sitting at +165 entering Week 8, Parsons is once again the betting favorite to bring home his first Defensive Player of the Year award. As long as he stays healthy, it is hard to see him slipping far from the top of the odds board. The narrative behind him is immense, and the Packers defense as a whole is playing well enough to give his production even more weight in the eyes of voters.
The one question for bettors is value. At +165, Parsons may not be the most attractive play on the board, particularly this early in the season. A more strategic move might be to wait and see if his odds drift back into the +200 or +300 range, which would offer a more appealing entry point without sacrificing the opportunity to back him later.
Best NFL DPOTY Betting Odds: BetMGM Sportsbook (+180)
The Contenders
Aidan Hutchinson (+380) – DE – Detroit Lions
The Lions defense was in shambles a season ago after Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending injury, but the turnaround in 2025 has been nothing short of dramatic. With Hutchinson healthy and once again anchoring the defensive front, Detroit has transformed back into one of the NFC’s most dangerous teams, pairing a balanced offense with a disruptive and opportunistic defense.
Hutchinson started the year a little slow by his standards, recording only two sacks through the first three games. Since then, though, he has caught fire, piling up four sacks and three forced fumbles in his last four outings. Those impact plays have swung games in Detroit’s favor and put the Lions in prime position to contend with Green Bay for NFC North supremacy. His motor, versatility, and ability to consistently pressure quarterbacks have been the driving force behind the Lions’ defensive resurgence.
Oddsmakers have taken notice. Hutchinson entered October as the short favorite for the award, and while his odds dipped slightly after Parsons’ breakout performance in Week 7, he remains firmly within striking distance. The division race between the Lions and Packers could go a long way toward determining who ultimately claims DPOTY, as both players are front and center in the conversation.
If the Lions keep piling up wins and creating game scripts that allow Hutchinson to hunt quarterbacks, his numbers should continue to climb. Given his production, his leadership, and the narrative of Detroit’s defense rising from one of the league’s worst to one of its most reliable units, Hutchinson has every tool needed to make a serious push for Defensive Player of the Year.
Best NFL DPOTY Betting Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook (+380)
Nik Bonitto (+550) – EDGE – Denver Broncos
In what has become one of the wildest storylines in the NFL futures market this season, Broncos pass-rush specialist Nik Bonitto has gone from an afterthought to a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Bonitto entered 2025 priced as a +9000 long shot to win the award, yet through seven games he has racked up eight sacks and forced his way into the spotlight. As a result, his odds have skyrocketed all the way to +550, making him one of the biggest movers in any market this year.
For anyone holding a +9000 ticket, this run feels like striking gold. Bonitto has been a constant presence in opposing backfields, flashing the same speed and bend around the edge that reminded many of former Broncos great Elvis Dumervil. At only 24 years old, he looks every bit the part of Denver’s next defensive star, and his trajectory has him on pace to push for a 20-sack campaign.
The question for bettors now is whether there is still value. While +550 represents a huge leap from his preseason number, it may not be the most attractive entry point given how much season remains. Oddsmakers tend to tighten prices quickly on players with hot starts, which means late backers are forced to pay a premium. Still, the thought process is understandable. Bonitto has been more than a flash in the pan, and Denver’s defense is built in a way that allows him to keep piling up sack totals as long as he stays healthy.
Those who grabbed him at 90-1 back in August are sitting on one of the best tickets in the market, but even those who missed out should be keeping a close eye on whether Bonitto can sustain this pace and make a real push to finish the season on top of the DPOTY race.
Best NFL DPOTY Betting Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook (+550)
Myles Garrett (+650) – DE – Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett remains very much in shouting distance to capture another Defensive Player of the Year award, although his recent production has cooled compared to the blistering pace he set to open the season. Garrett looked unstoppable through the first two weeks, racking up 3.5 sacks and reminding everyone why he is one of the most feared defenders in football. Since then, however, he has managed just 1.5 sacks over his last five outings, a stretch that has slowed his momentum in the eyes of oddsmakers.
Even with the dip in sack totals, there may not be a more physically imposing presence along the defensive line. Garrett’s combination of size, speed, and raw power makes him a nightmare for any offensive tackle, and he consistently draws double teams and chips that free up opportunities for his teammates. That sort of attention often prevents him from filling up the stat sheet, but it also speaks to the level of respect he commands from opponents on a weekly basis.
It would not shock anyone if Garrett suddenly erupted with a multi-sack performance that vaulted him right back into the thick of the race. Bettors know that his ceiling is as high as any defender in the league, and all it takes is a single dominant stretch to put him squarely in the conversation again. With odds currently sitting in the +650 to +700 range depending on the sportsbook, Garrett presents one of the more intriguing value plays on the board. For those hesitant to back the short favorites, he offers a balance of proven talent and still-realistic upside in the Defensive Player of the Year chase.
Best NFL DPOTY Betting Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook (+700)
Names To Watch
Will Anderson Jr. (+900) – EDGE – Houston Texans
The Texans’ offense continues to be nothing short of terrible, and they will be challenged even further with Nico Collins out of the lineup with a concussion, however, their defense is elite and the man leading the charge is former Bama product Will Anderson Jr.
Anderson is coming off of a phenomenal showing on Monday Night against a really good Seahawks team, and while his sack total is lower than any of the other major contenders on this list, the impact he has on one of the better defensive units in football cannot go unnoticed.
Given how Houston has started the season, however, it will take a truly incredible performance by Anderson and their defense as a whole to make him a more serious candidate for the honors.
Best NFL DPOTY Betting Odds: BetMGM Sportsbook (+1500)
Jared Verse (+1800) – EDGE – Los Angeles Rams
Like Will Anderson, Jared Verse is in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation more for his overall impact on a strong defensive unit than for gaudy individual statistics. The second-year edge rusher has registered just four sacks so far this season, but the numbers only tell part of the story. Week after week, Verse has been a disruptive presence for Sean McVay’s Rams, collapsing pockets, setting the edge against the run, and drawing consistent attention from opposing protections.
That relentless effort has made life easier for the rest of Los Angeles’ defense, and it is one of the reasons the Rams have looked like one of the more balanced teams in the NFC. Coaches and analysts alike have raved about Verse’s motor and his ability to create chaos even when he does not end up finishing plays himself.
Still, when it comes to award races, production often carries the most weight. Much like Anderson, Verse will need to ramp up the raw numbers in order to become a true factor in the Defensive Player of the Year race. If he can string together a few multi-sack games down the stretch, he could start to close the gap. Without that statistical boost, though, his candidacy is more likely to remain tied to being an anchor on a highly respected defensive unit rather than a frontrunner for the award itself.
Best NFL DPOTY Betting Odds: BetMGM Sportsbook (+2000)
Sleepers Worth A Pizza Bet
Brian Burns (+3000) – EDGE – New York Giants
After stumbling out of the gates to begin the 2025 season, the New York Giants have found new life thanks to the improved play of quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo.
Their resurgence on offense has not only helped the team stay competitive, but it has also injected fresh energy into the defense. When the offense can sustain drives and put points on the board, the defense no longer feels as though its efforts are being wasted, and that shift has been evident in recent weeks.
The biggest beneficiary of this turnaround has been edge rusher Brian Burns, who has been a force on the defensive line. Burns currently leads the NFL with nine sacks through the Giants’ first seven games, setting the tone with his speed and explosiveness off the edge. His ability to consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks has transformed New York’s defense into a much tougher unit, and his production is beginning to demand national attention.
From a betting perspective, Burns has quickly gone from an overlooked option to a legitimate sleeper. Just a month ago he was available at 60-1 in the Defensive Player of the Year market, which I noted at the time as a worthwhile long-shot play.
That price has since been cut in half, with Burns now listed at 30-1 and still trending downward. If the Giants continue to win games and stay relevant in the NFC playoff picture, Burns could follow a similar trajectory to Nik Bonitto, going from a preseason afterthought to a serious contender in one of the most volatile futures markets of the year.
Best NFL DPOTY Betting Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook (+3000)
How is the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award Decided?
Each season, the Associated Press, known by many as the AP, gives out the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award to the defensive player they believe has performed the best throughout the course of the regular season.
A panel of 50 sportswriters and media members rank their top five choices for the award at the end of each NFL season, with the winner being the player who receives the most votes as determined by where they are slotted in each respective writer or media member’s top five.
In other words, the more first place votes a player receives, the higher the likelihood they will be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is a special recognition for all those hard-working athletes on the side of the football that don’t get quite as much love as those guys who play offense. It would take a monumental season for a defensive player to win the NFL MVP award, so this is the closest thing to that honor on the defensive side of the football.
As we mentioned above, unlike the MVP and OPOY awards which basically go to any three positions (QB, RB, WR) on offense each season, the DPOY award is much more wide open.
Dating back to the 2000 season, here’s a position by position breakdown showing who has brought home this award over the last 25 seasons of NFL action.
| Position | DPOY Awards Won Since 2000 |
| Defensive End / EDGE | 9 |
| Defensive Tackle | 6 |
| Linebacker | 5 |
| Defensive Back | 5 |
As you can see, relentless pass rushers, tackle machines at linebacker, and lockdown corners are all in the mix to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Recent NFL Defensive Player of the Year Winners
| Season | Player | Position | Team |
| 2024 | Patrick Surtain II | CB | Denver Broncos |
| 2023 | Myles Garrett | DE | Cleveland Browns |
| 2022 | Nick Bosa | DE | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2021 | T.J. Watt | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2020 | Aaron Donald | DT | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2019 | Stephon Gilmore | CB | New England Patriots |
| 2018 | Aaron Donald | DT | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2017 | Aaron Donald | DT | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | DE | Oakland Raiders |
| 2015 | J.J. Watt | DE | Houston Texans |
How To Bet On The NFL Defensive Player Of The Year
To bet on the DPOY award, you must:
- Log into your sportsbook.
- Look for the NFL betting odds tab.
- Click on the ‘Players Futures’ category.
- Select the DPOY award to display the odds.
- Choose the player you want to wager on.
- Submit it from the bet slip window on the right-hand side of the screen.
Editor’s Note: All odds were correct at the time of writing. All odds, unless otherwise stated, are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
