Although Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt led the NFL Defensive Player of the Year race for much of the season, Patrick Surtain II dominated down the stretch for the Denver Broncos, ultimately claiming the award — the first defensive back to do so since Stephon Gilmore in 2018.
Next season's NFL odds board is already out and filled with pass rushers, which is little surprise given that eight of the last 10 winners of the award totaled at least 11 sacks.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds
Below are updated NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds.
| Player | Team | Position |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| T.J. Watt |  Pittsburgh Steelers |
LB | +750 |
| Myles Garrett |  Cleveland Browns |
DE | +750 |
| Aidan Hutchinson |  Detroit Lions |
DE | +750 |
| Micah Parsons |  Dallas Cowboys |
LB | +850 |
| Maxx Crosby |  Las Vegas Raiders |
DE | +900 |
| Will Anderson Jr. |  Houston Texans |
DE | +1200 |
| Nick Bosa |  San Francisco 49ers |
DE | +1600 |
| Jalen Carter |  Philadelphia Eagles |
DT | +2000 |
| Jared Verse |  Los Angeles Rams |
DT | +2500 |
| Patrick Surtain II |  Denver Broncos |
LB | +2800 |
Odds as of 2-7-2025.
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Favorites to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award
T.J. Watt (+750)
Finishing as the 2023-24 league leader in sacks with 19, T.J. Watt picked up where he left off this past season. The star pass rusher generated 11.5 sacks and 40 solo tackles, spearheading a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that allowed just 20.4 points per game.
Watt walked away with the DPOY award in 2021, and he's as good a bet as any to win it in 2025-26.
Myles Garrett (+750)
Regardless of where Myles Garrett ends up during the offseason, the six-time Pro Bowler is a gamechanger.
Boasting 14+ sacks in four consectuive seasons, the Cleveland Browns superstar (for now) is a human wrecking ball who — like Watt — is looking to add a second DPOY to his name.
Aidan Hutchinson (+750)
If it weren’t for a devastating tibia tear in Week 6, Aidan Hutchinson would have run away with the latest DPOY honors.
Hutchinson led the NFL in sacks at the time of his injury, so the 24-year-old will look to avenge his shortened season with a bang — not only aiming for a career high in sacks but also elevating a Detroit Lions defense that really missed his presence in the postseason.
Popular NFL futures markets
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.
• 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 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Patrick Surtain II | CB |
| 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 | 7 |
| Safety | 5 |
Although linebackers have dominated this honor historically, defensive tackles have come on strongly lately, winning three of the last eight NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards thanks to the dominance of Aaron Donald.
NFL DPOY Odds FAQs
T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, and Aidan Hutchinson are currently atop the DPOY odds board at +750.
Denver Broncos corner Patrick Surtain II won the 2024 DPOY award.
