Myles Garrett took home the NFL's top defensive prize last season, but several elite pass rushers are vying for the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, including standout Micah Parsons.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds at BetOnline
| Player | Team | Position | Odds |
| Micah Parsons | Dallas Cowboys | LB | +550 |
| T.J. Watt | Pittsburgh Steelers | LB | +550 |
| Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | DE | +700 |
| Maxx Crosby | Las Vegas Raiders | DE | +700 |
| Myles Garrett | Cleveland Browns | DE | +800 |
| Aidan Hutchinson | Detroit Lions | DE | +1,000 |
| Will Anderson Jr. | Houston Texans | DE | +2,000 |
| Danielle Hunter | Houston Texans | DE | +2,500 |
| Josh Allen | Jacksonville Jaguars | LB | +2,500 |
| Chris Jones | Kansas City Chiefs | DT | +3,000 |
Favorites to Win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award
Micah Parsons (+550)
Micah Parsons has been a dominant force for the Dallas Cowboys since his NFL debut in 2021.
Winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Parsons continues to be a cornerstone for Dallas' defense. Last season, he recorded 16 sacks and earned a pass-rushing grade of 93.7 from Pro Football Focus.
T.J. Watt (+550)
T.J. Watt claimed the DPOY award in 2021 and would have been a strong contender in 2022 if not for injuries.
The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker led the league with 19 sacks in 2023 and also forced four fumbles, showcasing his relentless defensive prowess.
Nick Bosa (+700)
Nick Bosa, a key player for the San Francisco 49ers, helped propel his team to Super Bowl 58. In 2022, Bosa earned the DPOY title with 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, contributing significantly to a defense that allowed just 17.5 points per game, ranking third in the NFL.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting Trends
- Historical Winners: Since the award's inception in 1974, seven players have won the DPOY more than once. However, no defensive back has ever achieved this feat multiple times.
- Pass Rusher Dominance: The odds are heavily favoring pass rushers for 2024, which is expected given that nine of the last ten winners had at least 11 sacks.
- Team Success Impact: Unlike the MVP award, DPOY winners aren't always from top-ranked defenses. Four of the last nine DPOY winners were from defenses outside the Top 10.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Winners by Position
| Position | Number of DPOY Awards |
| Linebacker | 17 |
| Defensive End | 14 |
| Defensive Tackle | 10 |
| Cornerback | 6 |
| Safety | 5 |
While linebackers historically dominate this honor, recent years have seen a surge in defensive tackles claiming the award, driven by the exceptional performance of players like Aaron Donald.
Final Thoughts
The race for the 2024-25 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is set to be highly competitive. Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt lead the early odds, both looking to add another accolade to their illustrious careers.
Keep an eye on defensive stalwarts like Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett, who will also be formidable contenders this season.