The 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award odds are heavily skewed towards pass-rushers, which makes sense considering the list of winners over the past decade-plus.
While there have been some outliers, it’s no surprise that sack artists like Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, T.J. Watt, and others have received recognition as the league’s top defensive player.
With the 2026 NFL season drawing ever closer, I’ll assess the latest NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds and highlight a few players who could take home the award.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award Odds 2026
All football odds used for these NFL Defensive Player of the Year predictions are current as of Wednesday, Aug. 26, and are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Myles Garrett (+400)
- Will Anderson Jr. (+650)
- Aidan Hutchinson (+900)
- Nik Bonitto (+1900)
- Maxx Crosby (+2200)
- Jalen Carter (+2500)
- Danielle Hunter (+2500)
- T.J. Watt (+3000)
- Trey Hendrickson (+3000)
- Jared Verse (+3000)
- Brian Burns (+3300)
- Abdul Carter (+4000)
- Quinyon Mitchell (+4000)
- Nick Bosa (+4000)
- Fred Warner (+4500)
- Derek Stingley Jr. (+4500)
All other players have odds of +5000 or higher to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Who Will Win NFL Defensive Player of the Year?
Myles Garrett (+400)
Garrett is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and has taken home the award in two of the last three seasons, so it’s no surprise that he’s the betting favorite in this category.
Normally, I’d be cautious about backing players who have won an award multiple times because of potential voter fatigue. However, Garrett’s case could be different after being traded to the Los Angeles Rams, the current favorites in the Super Bowl 61 odds.
By joining a team with an elite offense, the 30-year-old Garrett should get even more pass-rush opportunities, and there’s also the potential he could play alongside three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who is contemplating coming out of retirement.
While Garrett will have a hard time living up to expectations after setting the NFL single-season sack record last year with 23, there’s a strong chance he’ll continue to dominate opposing offensive lines as part of the league’s best team. Donald and fellow three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner J.J. Watt won this award three times in four years, so there’s a precedent for Garrett to do the same.
At 4-1 odds, I’ll back Garrett to retain the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award as my NFL pick of the day.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Contenders
Will Anderson Jr. (+650)
Given the recent run on pass-rushers, it’d be no surprise if Will Anderson Jr. wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The 24-year-old Alabama product has racked up double-digit sacks each of the past two seasons and could take another leap in Year 4.
It also doesn’t hurt that Anderson Jr. is one of the most recognizable names on a Houston Texans defense that has been among the league’s best the past few seasons and should continue to dominate in 2026.
That said, Houston’s defense has several stars who could emerge as NFL DPOY contenders, and they all could share the credit for the unit’s success. That situation could count against Anderson Jr., especially if his sack total doesn’t get closer to matching Garrett’s consistently high watermark.
Aidan Hutchinson (+900)
Hutchinson is an intriguing NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate because of the leading role he plays on Detroit’s defense.
The Lions were below average in many defensive categories last season, but they showed a propensity to get after opposition quarterbacks. Hutchinson led the way in that regard, registering a team-high and career-best 14.5 sacks, the fourth-most in the league.
The 26-year-old now has another year between him and the devastating fibula and tibia fracture he suffered in October 2024, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him take another step forward this campaign.
If he does, he’ll challenge Garrett and the league’s elite pass-rushers for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Sleeper Pick
Trey Hendrickson (+3000)
Looking down the board a bit, I’m interested in taking a flier on Baltimore Ravens EDGE Trey Hendrickson as my NFL Defensive Player of the Year sleeper pick.
The former Cincinnati Bengals star led the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024, but finished second in DPOY voting to Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
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After injuries limited Hendrickson to seven games last season, he’ll now join a Baltimore Ravens defense coordinated by new head coach Jesse Minter, who is one of the league’s best young defensive minds.
Baltimore also tied for the third-fewest sacks in the NFL last season (30), so if Hendrickson can come in and help change that by returning to his 2024 form, he could overcome these longshot odds to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Previous AP 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 |
| 2023 | Myles Garrett | DE | Cleveland Browns |
| 2024 | Patrick Surtain II | CB | Denver Broncos |
| 2025 | Myles Garrett | DE | Cleveland Browns |
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Winners by position
- Linebacker (17)
- Defensive end (16)
- Defensive tackle (10)
- Cornerback (7)
- Safety (5)
Who votes for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year?
Multiple organizations give out NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. However, the Associated Press’s award for the most outstanding defensive player is the one given out at the official NFL Honors ceremony. A panel of 50 sportswriters chosen by the AP picks the winner; they 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?
Nine 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), Ray Lewis (2000, 2003), and Myles Garrett (2023, 2025) have each won twice.
