2025-26 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds, Favourites, & Predictions

We have a tie atop the NFL futures odds for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2025-26.

See my way-too-early predictions for the award, examining the football odds from the BetMGM online sportsbook below. 

Prediction: Who Will Win the 2025-26 NFL Defensive Player of the Year?

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson are tied atop the DPOY award odds at +700, followed by: 

• Micah Parsons, Edge Rusher, Dallas Cowboys (+750)
• T.J. Watt, Edge Rusher, Pittsburgh Steelers (+850)
• Maxx Crosby, Defensive End, Las Vegas Raiders (+1100)

I predict Garrett will win the 2025-26 DPOY award. He’s coming off a season with 14 sacks, 83 pressures (tied for fourth), and 22 tackles for loss. He finished third in the DPOY voting last season behind Patrick Surtain II and Trey Hendrickson.

Now, the Browns have added Mason Graham to the interior, who will help gobble up offensive linemen and allow Garrett to run wild. It was a fantastic pick that’ll help the Browns’ $40 million per year defensive end. 

2024-25 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

2025-26 NFL DPOY Favourites & Predictions

Myles Garrett NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds +700

Garrett is +700 to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

As mentioned, the Browns drafted one of the safer prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft in Graham. The arm length concerns some, but he plays a relentless style of football that I think will demand attention on the interior and could open things up for Garrett.

Garrett is a front-runner for this award every season, and rightfully so. 

Aidan Hutchinson NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds +700

Hutchinson is +700 to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Hutchinson started last season red-hot with 7.5 sacks in just five games before fracturing his tibia and fibula in Week 6. 

The Lions didn’t draft a running mate to go opposite Hutchinson in the first round coming off the edge, but they did get someone who I think will be a nose tackle in first-round pick Tyleik Williams. 

He’s not exactly a pass-rushing threat, but of course, any time you can add more defensive line talent, this should hopefully help Hutchinson. 

I’ll be curious to see how he responds after a tough injury. 

Micah Parsons NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds +750

Parsons is +750 to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Parsons is still waiting for a contract extension, which could become a hold-in. 

He finished last season with 12 sacks over 13 games. 

The Cowboys brought in Dante Fowler Jr. on a one-year deal to help get after the passer, and they extended interior defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa to help open up some lanes for the versatile Parsons. 

Pending health and contract satisfaction, Parsons is always a candidate for this award. No player in the league is like him. 

T.J. Watt NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds +850

Watt is +850 to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Watt finished fourth in DPOY voting last season. He played 17 games and came away with 11.5 sacks. 

The Steelers bolstered their defensive front, taking Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round. He had 55 pressures and 5.0 sacks last season. 

Harmon has some injury concerns, and he’s really only had one year of collegiate production, but he has long arms that will help Watt (hopefully) see more opportunities to get after the quarterback as Harmon works in the interior. 

Maxx Crosby NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds +1100

Crosby is +1100 to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Crosby is a ferocious competitor who is a candidate to lead the league in pressures each season. 

In 12 games last year, he had 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. 

He played beat up all season, and I think he’ll be back at full capacity in Week 1. 

With the bolstered offence, including Geno Smith at quarterback and No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty at running back, Crosby should be able to catch his breath more than he ever has over his career with the Raiders. 

List of Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners