2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting Online

With rule changes adapted to increase scoring and offensive production in the NFL, playing defense has become a lost art. Scoring has occurred at a rapid pace over the last several years so when a player comes along and puts a stop to those opportunities he’s viewed as special. The Defensive Player of the Year award in the NFL might be the most coveted honor because of its significance. It seems like just a matter of time before Micah Parsons wins his first honor and oddsmakers like the Dallas Cowboys linebacker pegging him as the favorite on the opening odds list.

The Dallas defense slipped last season ranking among the worst in the NFL, but Parsons put up decent numbers with 12.0 sacks, 12 TFLs and 43 tackles in 13 games. Parsons entered last season as co-favorite on the DPOY board with T.J. Watt. Right behind Parsons is Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson, who played only five games due to injury a season ago and still registered 7.5 sacks. Five players opened with shorter than 9/1 odds with Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt and Will Anderson Jr. rounding out the top 5 favorites.

NFL Season Futures Odds

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting Odds

Denver’s Patrick Surtain III became the first cornerback since 2019 and the seventh overall to win the award following the 2024 campaign. Players in the secondary typically don’t generate enough tangible stats to be considered for the honor, and Surtain III was no different. He had four interceptions, one of which was returned 100 yards for a touchdown in a win over the Raiders, along with 11 passes defended and 43 tackles. Team results play a role in the decision and the Broncos were vastly improved on defense in 2024 from the season before. They also reached the postseason since winning the Super Bowl during the 2015 season.

Hutchinson is an intriguing candidate coming off an injury that limited him to just five games in 2024. He has proven to be a force on the Lions line since being drafted second overall in 2022 totaling 28.5 sacks and 30 TFLs in 39 games.

Kyle Hamilton is a long shot pick, but he is getting rave reviews for his ability as a do-everything defender in the Baltimore secondary. The Ravens are also looking to bounce back from a sub-par year on that side of the football. If they do, Hamilton will be a big reason why. He finished among the top 10 in DPOY voting last season after recording 107 tackles, nine pass breakups and an interception.

Defensive Player of the Year Winners (2000)

Surtain III joined an exclusive group with his award last season, but we typically don’t see secondary players win, unless you’re Charles Woodson, Troy Polamalu or Deion Sanders. However, secondary play is catching up with the offensive theatrics.

An NFL Defensive Player of the Year win will help you get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and most of the players that have won this award ended up in Canton. Every retired player who won this award twice is in the Hall of Fame, and almost all of the recent winners will eventually be enshrined.

Aaron Donald was the most dominant defensive player in the league for several years until his sudden retirement following the 2023 season. He will assuredly be a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection. Donald recorded at least eight sacks every season he had been in the NFL before last season, and he finished in the top five of voting for this award for seven consecutive years before a down 2022 campaign by his lofty standards.

Most NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards

Winning the DPOY three times in four years put Donald in elite company as one of three players to accomplish the feat. Donald was widely considered the best defensive player in the game even before he retired earning First-Team All-Pro recognition in seven straight seasons.

The great Lawrence Taylor is another three-time winner who revolutionized the linebacker position with skillset. LT was unquestionably the best defensive player in the 1980s, and he was named First Team All-Pro eight times in that decade. Many consider Taylor the best linebacker in the history of the NFL, and it’s hard to argue against him.

The only other player to win this award three times is J.J. Watt. He had five dominant years with the Houston Texans, but injuries led to him missing at least half the year in four seasons from 2016 to 2021. Watt retired following the 2022 season passing the torch of great defensive play in the family to brother J.J.

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