{"id":40019,"date":"2026-08-31T11:04:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=40019"},"modified":"2026-08-31T11:04:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:04:37","slug":"2026-nfl-defensive-player-of-the-year-odds-picks-predictions-best-bets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/nfl\/2026-nfl-defensive-player-of-the-year-odds-picks-predictions-best-bets\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds, Picks & Predictions: Best Bets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year race<\/strong> is taking shape with kickoff of Week 1 of the NFL regular season coming soon. With the new campaign approaching, there is still time to find value in the NFL futures market. After tackling the MVP<\/a> and Offensive Player of the Year Awards<\/a>, we move to the defensive side of the ball with the latest NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds, picks and predictions<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myles Garrett enters as the +430 favorite, followed by Will Anderson Jr. at +600, Maxx Crosby at +900 and Aidan Hutchinson at +950. Below, Picks and Parlays NFL handicapper Steve Seagrave<\/a> breaks down the 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds<\/strong>, past DPOY winners and important betting trends before revealing two NFL DPOY best bets<\/strong> for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are the latest NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Player<\/th>Team<\/th>DPOY Odds<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Myles Garrett<\/td>LA Rams<\/td>+430<\/td><\/tr>
Will Anderson Jr.<\/td>Houston<\/td>+600<\/td><\/tr>
Maxx Crosby<\/td>Las Vegas<\/td>+900<\/td><\/tr>
Aidan Hutchinson<\/td>Detroit<\/td>+950<\/td><\/tr>
Nik Bonitto<\/td>Denver<\/td>+1400<\/td><\/tr>
Nick Bosa<\/td>San Francisco<\/td>+1800<\/td><\/tr>
TJ Watt<\/td>Pittsburgh<\/td>+1800<\/td><\/tr>
Jared Verse<\/td>Cleveland<\/td>+2500<\/td><\/tr>
Jalen Carter<\/td>Philadelphia<\/td>+2500<\/td><\/tr>
Trey Hendrickson<\/td>Baltimore<\/td>+2500<\/td><\/tr>
Brian Burns<\/td>NY Giants<\/td>+2500<\/td><\/tr>
Danielle Hunter<\/td>Houston<\/td>+2500<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Past NFL Defensive Player of the Year Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking at recent NFL Defensive Player of the Year winners<\/strong> provides useful context when evaluating the 2026 DPOY futures market. Defensive linemen and edge rushers have dominated the award in recent seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Season<\/th>Defensive Player of the Year<\/th>Team<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2025<\/td>Myles Garrett<\/td>Cleveland<\/td><\/tr>
2024<\/td>Patrick Surtain II<\/td>Denver<\/td><\/tr>
2023<\/td>Myles Garrett<\/td>Cleveland<\/td><\/tr>
2022<\/td>Nick Bosa<\/td>San Francisco<\/td><\/tr>
2021<\/td>TJ Watt<\/td>Pittsburgh<\/td><\/tr>
2020<\/td>Aaron Donald<\/td>LA Rams<\/td><\/tr>
2019<\/td>Stephon Gilmore<\/td>New England<\/td><\/tr>
2018<\/td>Aaron Donald<\/td>LA Rams<\/td><\/tr>
2017<\/td>Aaron Donald<\/td>LA Rams<\/td><\/tr>
2016<\/td>Khalil Mack<\/td>Oakland<\/td><\/tr>
2015<\/td>JJ Watt<\/td>Houston<\/td><\/tr>
2014<\/td>JJ Watt<\/td>Houston<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting Trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recent NFL Defensive Player of the Year trends<\/strong> demonstrate just how important pass rushing and sack production have become when evaluating potential DPOY candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myles Garrett was a unanimous selection for Defensive Player of the Year last season after setting the single-season sack record with 23 while also recording 33 tackles for a loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II became just the second defensive back to win the award since 2010, joining 2019 winner Stephon Gilmore. Surtain intercepted four passes while adding 11 passes defended, a forced fumble, a recovery and a tackle for a loss in 16 starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, sacks remain one of the easiest quantifiable statistics for a defensive player to use to demonstrate value to his team. It makes sense that the favorites in the 2026 NFL DPOY odds<\/strong> are pass rushers, especially considering defensive linemen or edge rushers have won the award in 12 of the past 15 seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garrett also won Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 after finishing inside the top 10 in every notable category, including sacks, quarterback hits, tackles for a loss, quarterback pressures and forced fumbles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nick Bosa won the award in 2022 following an 18.5-sack season, while TJ Watt earned DPOY honors after recording 21.5 sacks in 2021. Micah Parsons has also flirted with the award, finishing runner-up in two of his first three NFL seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aaron Donald was another dominant force in the Defensive Player of the Year race, bringing home the award three times during his run with the Rams.<\/p>\n\n\n

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2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Predictions and Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With sacks playing such an important role in the Defensive Player of the Year race, our 2026 NFL DPOY predictions<\/strong> focus on two players with an opportunity to lead the league in that category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than selecting only one player, the strategy is to split the bet with equal wagers on each selection: Will Anderson Jr. at +600 and Aidan Hutchinson at +950<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NFL DPOY Best Bet #1: Will Anderson Jr. +600<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Will Anderson Jr. +600<\/strong> is our first best bet to win the 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anderson has recorded double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons with 11 and 12, and he posted a 19.5% pressure rate during the 2026 campaign, the highest mark among qualified edge rushers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anderson also recorded a 33.1% pass-rush win rate, which ranked first in the NFL while beating Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The personnel around Anderson provides another reason for optimism. Danielle Hunter commands plenty of attention on the opposite side of Houston’s defensive line, while the Texans’ elite secondary gives both pass rushers ample time to pressure opposing quarterbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anderson will also be motivated by the massive three-year, $150 million contract extension he signed in April, which made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With his combination of sack production, pressure rate, pass-rush win rate and supporting talent in Houston, Anderson enters the season as one of our top choices in the 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year futures market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Bet #1: Will Anderson Jr. +600 CZR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NFL DPOY Best Bet #2: Aidan Hutchinson +950<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aidan Hutchinson +950<\/strong> is our second best bet to win the 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, Hutchinson recorded an elite 35% pass-rush win rate and 7.5 sacks in only five games before a leg injury ended his season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hutchinson returned in 2025 and recorded 14.5 sacks, 54 tackles, including 14 tackles for a loss, and four forced fumbles while finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Detroit Lions dealt with a significant number of injuries in 2025, but they have since retooled with the additions of free-agent signing DJ Wonnum and draft pick Derrick Moore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hutchinson has stated that one of his goals is winning Defensive Player of the Year, and this season could provide his best opportunity. The Lions have the sixth-easiest strength of schedule, giving Hutchinson opportunities to stack numbers against inconsistent and\/or young quarterbacks such as Michael Penix Jr., Malik Willis, Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After returning to form in 2025 and recording 14.5 sacks, Hutchinson enters the 2026 campaign as our second selection in the NFL DPOY odds<\/strong> market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Bet #2: Aidan Hutchinson +950<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pass rushers have dominated the Defensive Player of the Year award, with defensive linemen or edge rushers winning in 12 of the past 15 seasons. That history makes sack production an important factor when evaluating the 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of relying on one selection, our approach is to split the wager equally between two pass rushers with an opportunity to produce the type of numbers necessary to win the award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Bet #1: Will Anderson Jr. +600 CZR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Bet #2: Aidan Hutchinson +950<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WagerTalk Live Odds Screen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

WagerTalk\u2019s live odds screen<\/a> features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track moneylines, runlines, totals and betting percentages for a variety of domestic and international leagues. Find free MLB picks<\/a>, even for Home Run prop bets, and odds!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?<\/span> Go beyond the anytime touchdown scorer picks!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n