Since 2012, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, given out by the Associated Press, has been dominated by multi-time winners: J.J. Watt (2012, 2014, and 2015), Aaron Donald (2017, 2018, and 2020).
Over that same span (11 years), the award has gone to pass-rushers nine times with traditional linebackers and cornerbacks claiming the award once each. A safety hasn’t won the award since 2010 (Troy Polamalu).
With that in mind, these best bets will focus on pass-rushers who can collapse the pocket and get after the quarterback. The 2022 DPOY, Nick Bosa, finished with 51 combined tackles, 18.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
To help guide you in our NFL predictions series, here are our 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year predictions and betting tips.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award Odds
All NFL odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Tuesday, January 2, at 11:00 a.m. ET.
- Myles Garrett, EDGE, Cleveland Browns (-240)
- Micah Parsons, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys (+250)
- T.J. Watt, EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers (+380)
- Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders (+5000)
- DaRon Bland, CB, Dallas Cowboys (N/A)
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Best Bet
Myles Garrett, EDGE, Cleveland Browns (-240)
WAGER: 1 Unit
My darkhorse candidate to win the award is Garrett. He’s not exactly a sleeper given his short odds to win the award, but the Browns do have what looks to be one of the best defenses.
As the focal point and primary disruptor, Garrett deserves a ton of praise given Cleveland’s defensive ascension in 2023. He finished the season with 14 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Best NFL Defensive Player of the Year Sleeper Bets
Micah Parsons, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys (+250)
WAGER: 0.25 Units
Parsons finished with a career-high 14 sacks, making his 2023 season his third straight with at least 13 sacks. However, he only had 64 combined tackles and one forced fumble, both career-lows.
Two of our NFL experts listed Parsons as their DPOY choice in our 2023-2024 NFL Season Predictions.
T.J. Watt, EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers (+380)
WAGER: 0.1 Unit
What may hurt his chances the most is the Steelers aren’t having a particularly good year on either side of the ball. The award, for better or worse, doesn’t always go to the best individual performer, but the player who spearheads one of the league’s top defenses in conjunction with a statistically significant season.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award History
List of Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Alan Page | DT | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1972 | Joe Greene | DT | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1973 | Dick Anderson | S | Miami Dolphins |
| 1974 | Joe Greene | DT | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1975 | Mel Blount | CB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1976 | Jack Lambert | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1977 | Harvey Martin | DE | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1978 | Randy Gradishar | LB | Denver Broncos |
| 1979 | Lee Roy Selmon | DE | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 1980 | Lester Hayes | CB | Oakland Raiders |
| 1981 | Lawrence Taylor | LB | New York Giants |
| 1982 | Lawrence Taylor | LB | New York Giants |
| 1983 | Doug Betters | DE | Miami Dolphins |
| 1984 | Kenny Easley | S | Seattle Seahawks |
| 1985 | Mike Singletary | LB | Chicago Bears |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | LB | New York Giants |
| 1987 | Reggie White | DE | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1988 | Mike Singletary | LB | Chicago Bears |
| 1989 | Keith Millard | DT | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1990 | Bruce Smith | DE | Buffalo Bills |
| 1991 | Pat Swilling | LB | New Orleans Saints |
| 1992 | Cortez Kennedy | DT | Seattle Seahawks |
| 1993 | Rod Woodson | CB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1994 | Deion Sanders | CB | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1995 | Bryce Paup | LB | Buffalo Bills |
| 1996 | Bruce Smith | DE | Buffalo Bills |
| 1997 | Dana Stubblefield | DT | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1998 | Reggie White | DE | Green Bay Packers |
| 1999 | Warren Sapp | DT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2000 | Ray Lewis | LB | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2001 | Michael Strahan | DE | New York Giants |
| 2002 | Derrick Brooks | LB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2003 | Ray Lewis | LB | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2004 | Ed Reed | S | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2005 | Brian Urlacher | LB | Chicago Bears |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor | DE | Miami Dolphins |
| 2007 | Bob Sanders | S | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2008 | James Harrison | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson | CB | Green Bay Packers |
| 2010 | Troy Polamalu | S | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | LB | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2012 | J. J. Watt | DE | Houston Texans |
| 2013 | Luke Kuechly | LB | Carolina Panthers |
| 2014 | J. J. Watt | DE | Houston Texans |
| 2015 | J. J. Watt | DE | Houston Texans |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | DE | Oakland Raiders |
| 2017 | Aaron Donald | DT | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2018 | Aaron Donald | DT | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2019 | Stephon Gilmore | CB | New England Patriots |
| 2020 | Aaron Donald | DT | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2021 | T. J. Watt | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2022 | Nick Bosa | DE | San Francisco 49ers |
Winners by position
- Linebacker (17)
- Defensive end (14)
- Defensive tackle (10)
- Cornerback (6)
- Safety (5)
Who votes for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year?
There are multiple organizations that give out NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. However, the Associated Press’s award for the most outstanding defensive player is the award given out at the official NFL Honors ceremony. A panel of 50 sportswriters, chosen by the AP, who often cover the NFL and are known for their expertise. Other organizations that currently give out the award include the Pro Football Writers of America, The Sporting News, and Pro Football Focus.
Who has won multiple NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards?
Eight players have won NFL DPOY more than once. Lawrence Taylor (1981, 1982, 1986), J.J. Watt (2012, 2014, 2015), and Aaron Donald (2017, 2018, 2020) have won the award three times. Joe Greene (1972, 1974), Mike Singletary (1985, 1988), Bruce Smith (1990, 1996), Reggie White (1987, 1998), and Ray Lewis (2000, 2003) have each won twice.
