2024-25 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award Odds: T.J. Watt The Favorite

With Aidan Hutchinson forced to undergo season-ending surgery, several pass rushers are pacing ahead in 2024 Defensive Player of the Year odds, including T.J. Watt.

Trevor Knapp - Publishing Editor at Covers.com
Trevor Knapp • Publishing Editor
Dec 23, 2024 • 10:13 ET • 4 min read
T.J. Watt Pittsburgh Steelers NFL DPOY
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

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 two games remaining in the regular season? 

Let's take a look at where things stand with Week 17 on the horizon.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds

Player Team Position FanDuel bet365
T.J. Watt Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers LB -220 -250
Patrick Surtain II Broncos Denver Broncos CB +380 +350
Nik Bonitto Broncos Denver Broncos LB +1800 +1500
Will Anderson Jr. Texans Houston Texans DE +2500 +2000
Danielle Hunter Texans Houston Texans DE +2900 +2800
Andrew Van Ginkel Vikings Minnesota Vikings LB +2900 +2500
Xavier McKinney Packers Green Bay Packers S +2900 +1800
Jonathan Greenard Vikings Minnesota Vikings LB +3000 +2500
Trey Hendrickson Bengals Cincinnati Bengals DE +3000 +4000
Myles Garrett Browns Cleveland Brown DE +3300 +3000

Odds as of 12-23-2024.

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Favorites to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award

T.J. Watt (-170 to -250)

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 11.5 sacks and 39 solo tackles thus far, spearheading a defense allowing just 19.9 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 (+340 to +350)

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 unit. Surtain has taken another step in production this season, boasting four interceptions and 27 solo tackles.

Nik Bonitto (+650 to +1500)

Another Bronco has surged up the board. Linebacker Nik Bonitto has tallied 11.5 sacks on the season, trailing only Trey Hendrickson, Danielle Hunter and Myles Garrett 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.

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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Trevor Knapp - Covers
Publishing Editor

Trevor joined the Covers content team as a publishing editor in early 2022. Growing up in Vancouver, he studied Broadcast and Online Journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and interned with TSN and Sportsnet Radio while also writing for the Daily Hive.

An avid bettor of the MLB, NFL, and CFL, Trevor advises his fellow sports bettors to leave their hearts at the door and not hesitate to fade their favorite team. It's a strategy he follows regularly as an apathetic Toronto Blue Jays and Indianapolis Colts fan.

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