NFL DPOY odds are here as training camp looms.
The past two seasons have seen Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt and Rams tackle Aaron Donald battle it out for the honor, with Donald getting the nod in 2020 before Watt captured his first in 2021. The pair top the early Defensive Player of the Year odds board, joined by another dominant pass rusher.
Find out where everyone stands in our updated NFL Defensive Player of the Year betting odds.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| T.J. Watt | +700 |
| Aaron Donald | +700 |
| Myles Garrett | +700 |
| Micah Parsons | +1,000 |
| Nick Bosa | +1,500 |
| Joey Bosa | +2,000 |
| Chase Young | +2,000 |
| Khalil Mack | +2,500 |
| Von Miller | +2,500 |
| Danielle Hunter | +2,800 |
| Maxx Crosby | +2,800 |
| Bradley Chubb | +3,000 |
| Fred Warner | +3,500 |
| Derwin James | +3,500 |
| Darius Leonard | +3,500 |
| Chandler Jones | +3,500 |
| Robert Quinn | +3,500 |
| Devin White | +4,000 |
| Chris Jones | +4,000 |
| Xavien Howard | +4,000 |
| Trevon Diggs | +4,000 |
| Tyrann Mathieu | +4,000 |
| Shaquil Barrett | +4,000 |
| Roquan Smith | +4,000 |
| Trey Hendrickson | +4,000 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook on May 24, 2022.
Favorites to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award
T.J. Watt (+700)
Coming off an absurd 22.5-sack season with the Steelers, T.J. Watt tied Michael Strahan for the NFL record for sacks in a season. There's no doubt that he can eclipse 20 again and take home the award for a consecutive year, as Watt is the league's best EDGE at the height of his powers — and probably should have won in 2020.
The last player to win back-to-back DPOYs? His older brother, J.J., in 2014 and 2015.
Aaron Donald (+700)
Aaron Donald took home the award in 2020 and could easily take home one more before his illustrious career is all said and done.
After helping lift the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl victory over the Bengals with two sacks, Donald will be back in a Rams uniform after initial retirement speculation.
Donald is considered by many to be the best player in all of football and for good reason. We have never seen someone at the defensive tackle position be this dominant, and ahead of the 2022 season, he's a co-favorite as he chases down his fourth DPOY award.
Myles Garrett (+700)
The former number one pick was one of the lone bright spots for the Cleveland Browns in 2021, accumulating an impressive 16 sacks in his fifth NFL season.
Garrett should get more recognition for the award this season if he puts in the same performance this time around. The Browns are expected to be much better with the acquisition of star quarterback Deshaun Watson, and being on a playoff team would increase Garrett's odds dramatically.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting Trends
• Since this award was first given out in 1974, seven defensive players have claimed this award more than once. However, no defensive back has ever won it multiple times.
• The NFL DPOY odds board is filled with pass rushers for 2021, which is little surprise given that eight of the last 10 winners of the award totaled at least 11 sacks.
• While voters for the NFL MVP Award seem to take team success into the equation, the same hasn't necessarily been true for DPOY accolades. Four of the last seven winners of the DPOY award were on defenses that ranked outside the Top 10.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year history
A quick look at the NFL DPOY winners since 2000 and the position they played.
| Year | NFL DPOY Award Winner | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | T.J. Watt | Edge |
| 2020 | Aaron Donald | DT |
| 2019 | Stephon Gilmore | CB |
| 2018 | Aaron Donald | DT |
| 2017 | Aaron Donald | DT |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | Edge |
| 2015 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2014 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2013 | Luke Keuchly | LB |
| 2012 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | Edge |
| 2010 | Troy Polamalu | S |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson | DB |
| 2008 | James Harrison | Edge |
| 2007 | Bob Sanders | S |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor | Edge |
| 2005 | Brian Urlacher | LB |
| 2004 | Ed Reed | S |
| 2003 | Ray Lewis | LB |
| 2002 | Derrick Brooks | LB |
| 2001 | Michael Strahan | DE |
| 2000 | Ray Lewis | LB |
NFL DPOY Odds FAQs
There's a three-way tie atop the odds board, with T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, and Myles Garrett level at +700.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt won the 2021 DPOY award.
