Detroit Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson was gathering momentum in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds, but a broken tibia suffered vs. the Cowboys in Week 6 derailed his chances.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, the 2021 DPOY and a four-time finalist for the coveted award is now the clear frontrunner in this market.
Is this NFL odds race over? Or will a dark horse throw his hat into the ring with just three games remaining in the regular season?
Let's take a look at where things stand with Week 16 on the horizon.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds
| Player | Team | Position |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T.J. Watt |  Pittsburgh Steelers |
LB | -160 | -170 |
| Patrick Surtain II |  Denver Broncos |
CB | +340 | +320 |
| Nik Bonitto | Denver Broncos |
LB | +650 | +600 |
| Will Anderson Jr. |  Houston Texans |
DE | +1400 | +1600 |
| Jonathan Greenard |  Minnesota Vikings |
LB | +2600 | +2500 |
| Danielle Hunter | Houston Texans |
DE | +2600 | +2200 |
| Xavier McKinney |  Green Bay Packers |
S | +2600 | +2800 |
| Myles Garrett |  Cleveland Browns |
DE | +3300 | +3000 |
| Trey Hendrickson |  Cincinnati Bengals |
DE | +3500 | +3500 |
| Derek Stingley Jr. | Houston Texans |
CB | +3500 | +3500 |
Odds as of 12-18-2024.
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Favorites to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award
T.J. Watt (-160 to -170)
Finishing as 2023's league leader in sacks with 19, T.J. Watt has picked up where he left off during the Pittsburgh Steelers' start to the season. The star pass rusher has generated 9.5 sacks and 33 solo tackles thus far, spearheading a defense allowing just 18.3 points per game.
Watt walked away with the DPOY award in 2021, and if it weren't for injuries the following year, he would have been a serious contender to repeat in 2022.
Patrick Surtain II (+320 to +340)
The Denver Broncos defense has taken the AFC by storm, with star corner Patrick Surtain II headlining the budding unit.
The two-time Pro Bowler has set the tone for Vance Joseph's stop unit, ranking third in defensive grade (85.5) according to Pro Football Focus. Surtain has taken another step in production this season, boasting three interceptions and zero missed tackles.
Nik Bonitto (+600 to +650)
Another Bronco has surged up the board. Linebacker Nik Bonitto has tallied 11.5 sacks on the season, trailing only Trey Hendrickson and Danielle Hunter for the league lead.
After being listed outside the Top 10 for most of the year, the former second-round pick is no longer flying under the radar in this market.
Popular NFL futures markets
NFL Defensive Player of the Year betting splits
- Although T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons topped the board before Week 1 at +550 via BetMGM, Maxx Crosby took in the most wagers with 17.8% of tickets and 2.4% of the handle.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year betting trends
• Since this award was first given out in 1974, seven defensive players have claimed this award more than once. However, no defensive back has ever won it multiple times.
• The NFL DPOY odds board is filled with pass rushers for 2024, which is little surprise given that nine of the last 10 winners of the award totaled at least 11 sacks.
• While voters for the NFL MVP Award seem to take team success into the equation, the same hasn't necessarily been true for DPOY accolades. Four of the last nine winners of the DPOY award were on defenses that ranked outside the Top 10.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year history
A quick look at the NFL DPOY winners since 2000 and the position they played.
| Year | NFL DPOY Award Winner | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Myles Garrett | DE |
| 2022 | Nick Bosa | DE |
| 2021 | T.J. Watt | Edge |
| 2020 | Aaron Donald | DT |
| 2019 | Stephon Gilmore | CB |
| 2018 | Aaron Donald | DT |
| 2017 | Aaron Donald | DT |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | Edge |
| 2015 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2014 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2013 | Luke Kuechly | LB |
| 2012 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | Edge |
| 2010 | Troy Polamalu | S |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson | DB |
| 2008 | James Harrison | Edge |
| 2007 | Bob Sanders | S |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor | Edge |
| 2005 | Brian Urlacher | LB |
| 2004 | Ed Reed | S |
| 2003 | Ray Lewis | LB |
| 2002 | Derrick Brooks | LB |
| 2001 | Michael Strahan | DE |
| 2000 | Ray Lewis | LB |
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 |
Although linebackers have dominated this honor historically, defensive tackles have come on strongly lately, winning three of the last seven NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards thanks to the dominance of Aaron Donald.
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NFL DPOY Odds FAQs
T.J. Watt is currently atop the DPOY odds board at -160.
The Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett won the 2023 DPOY award.
