/fit-in/64x64/1682508559/bryan-zarpentine-headshot.jpg "Bryan Zarpentine"){kind=small}
Bryan Zarpentine
Sports Betting Analyst
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Ioana Romanasu
Content Team LeadMicah Parsons (LB/DE, Packers) took over as the clear favorite, following a "breakout performance," specifically a three-sack game in Week 7.
Nik Bonitto (DE, Broncos) saw his odds fade after Week 7, despite leading the league in sacks.
Hutchinson was previously the favorite but settled into the second spot as Parsons took the lead, though he continued to draw the most betting ticket/handle percentage.
Year after year, the race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year is one of the league’s most competitive award races. With a strong collection of edge rushers, not to mention lockdown corners, do-everything linebackers, and defensive line disruptors, there is no shortage of viable candidates for the award every season. This can make it difficult to pick a winner for Defensive Player of the Year honors. But it also means a big payday if you can place an accurate wager on who will end up winning the Defensive Player of the Year race.
Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Click on the odds below to go to FanDuel and place a wager on who you think will win Defensive Player of the Year: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.
| Player | Position | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micah Parsons | Linebacker | Green Bay Packers | +165 BET HERE |
| Aidan Hutchinson | Defensive End | Detroit Lions | +380 BET HERE |
| Nik Bonito | Defensive End | Denver Broncos | +550 BET HERE |
| Myles Garrett | Defensive End | Cleveland Browns | +650 BET HERE |
| Will Anderson Jr. | Defensive End | Houston Texans | +900 BET HERE |
| Jared Verse | Defensive End | Los Angeles Rams | +1800 BET HERE |
| T.J. Watt | Linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers | +2700 BET HERE |
| Brian Burns | Lineback | New York Giants | +3000 BET HERE |
| Maxx Crosby | Defensive End | Las Vegas Raiders | +5000 BET HERE |
| Danielle Hunter | Defensive End | Houston Texans | +5000 BET HERE |
Parsons did enough in Week 1 to be our pick, and we’re sticking with him, especially since he’s now the top pick. One could argue that Garrett offers more value right now, which is fair to say. However, Garrett’s team is likely to struggle this year no matter what he does. On the other hand, Parsons is the best player on the best defense through five weeks, which is why he’s a safe pick to be Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.
In the modern NFL, pass-rushers are the kings of the defense. That’s where the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year should begin and end. Occasionally, a lockdown cornerback will win the award, but for the most part, the serious candidates for DPOTY are pass rushers. Obviously, you should be aware of other standout players on that side of the ball. But most bets on Defensive Player of the Year should be on an elite pass rusher.
It’s also good to keep in mind that stats also tend to dominate NFL awards. The league leader in sacks usually has a huge leg up in the DPOTY race. Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect science. Leading the NFL in sacks doesn’t automatically win someone Defensive Player of the Year honors. But there’s no doubt the league’s sack leader will be a serious contender. Unless there is a good reason why someone else should win, players who are at or near the top of the league leaders in sacks are usually a good bet to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Typically, there are several good candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. This means that most candidates will have plus (+) odds, meaning a sizable profit if you bet on the right player. For example, a $100 bet on a player with +750 odds will earn a profit of $750. Of course, it’s possible late in the season for there to be a clear-cut favorite. In some instances, that player may have negative (-) odds, which means the bet is safer but comes with a smaller profit. For instance, if a player has -300 odds, you will need to wager $300 in order to make a $100 profit.
FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best places to bet on the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. One reason is that FanDuel is one of the NFL’s official betting sponsors. Therefore, FanDuel has a wide variety of betting markets, including major awards like Defensive Player of the Year.
On top of all of the betting options at FanDuel, new users can claim a lucrative offer. When you sign up with FanDuel, you are eligible to claim the welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins, It’s an easy welcome offer to claim because there is no promo code required. Just sign up and win the first bet you place.
The AP Defensive Player of the Year History was introduced in 1971 and has been handed out at the end of every NFL season since. It is voted upon by a panel of 50 sportswriters and is presented by the Associated Press.
| Past Defensive Player of the Year Winner | Year |
|---|---|
| Patrick Surtain II | 2024 |
| Myles Garrett | 2023 |
| Nick Bosa | 2022 |
| T.J. Watt | 2021 |
| Aaron Donald | 2020 |
| Stephon Gilmore | 2019 |
| Aaron Donald | 2018 |
| Aaron Donald | 2017 |
| Khalil Mack | 2016 |
| J.J. Watt | 2015 |
| J.J. Watt | 2014 |
| Luke Kuechly | 2013 |
| J.J. Watt | 2012 |
| Terrell Suggs | 2011 |
| Troy Polamalu | 2010 |
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/1682508559/bryan-zarpentine-headshot.jpg "Bryan zarpentine headshot")
Bryan Zarpentine
Sports Betting Analyst
| Email: | bryan.zarpentine@wsn.com |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Bachelor of Arts |
| Favourite Sportsbook: | BetMGM Sportsbook |
| Favourite Casino: | BetMGM Casino |
| Experience: | 14 years |
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