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

After going No. 3 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, a New York Giants edge rusher is atop the football odds for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

Learn more about these players and my prediction for the award below. 

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

Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter is atop the NFL futures odds to win the 2024-25 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year at +250, followed by: 

• Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars (+750)
• Jalon Walker, Atlanta Falcons (+900)
• Mykel Williams, San Francisco 49ers (+1000)
• Mike Green, Baltimore Ravens (+1200)

I predict Walker will win DROY. 

He’s an interesting player to monitor this season. At Georgia, specifically in 2024, he played all over the box, including off the edge and inside linebacker. 

At this point, he’s been used in so many ways that I’ll be curious to see if the Falcons focus him as a stand-up 3-4 outside linebacker, which will fit their scheme.

He’s undersized for a traditional edge rusher at 6 feet 1 inch tall, but incredibly explosive. 

I don’t trust him as much in coverage, but against the run, he’s shown to be a good tackler, racking up 60 last year with 11 tackles for loss. 

He’s an interesting player, and I’m excited to watch him this season.

2025-26 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

2025-26 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Predictions & Best Bets

Abdul Carter to Win NFL DROY +250

Carter is currently +250 to win the NFL DROY.

Coming out of Penn State, Carter was a true edge rusher in 2024 with 24 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks. 

Of course, wearing that No. 11 jersey, you can’t help but compare him to Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons. 

The Giants’ defensive front is loaded. In addition to Carter, they have Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux,  and Dexter Lawrence. 

This will be a scary line for opposing offences to plan against. 

Travis Hunter to Win NFL DROY +750

Hunter is currently +750 to win the NFL DROY.

As you probably know, Hunter is an anomaly in football. He played both sides of the ball at Colorado. 

And, no, it wasn’t like he played primarily on one side and sprinkled in some snaps on the other side—he played 120 snaps or more in 10 games. 

My issue with Hunter on the odds here is that, while I think the Jaguars will let him play some defence, I think their primary motivation is for him to play on offence and eventually get him caught up to speed defensively. 

If anyone can do it, it’s Hunter, but first, learning one side of the ball will be important.

I believe that the first side will be the offence. 

Jalon Walker to Win NFL DROY +900

Walker is currently +900 to win the NFL DROY.

As mentioned above, Walker was used all over the box. 

However, at the next level, I think he’ll be a fantastic edge rusher who can gobble up running backs on outside runs. 

The Falcons desperately needed some pass rush help, and they took Walker along with James Peace Jr. in the first round. 

Mykel Williams to Win NFL DROY +1000

Mitchell is currently +1000 to win the NFL DROY.

Williams is a towering human being, standing at over 6 feet 5 inches tall. His arms are nearly 34.5 inches long. 

He’ll be an excellent run defender, but I believe he needs to develop more as a pass rusher and become more consistent. If any team can coach him up, it’s the 49ers with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. 

He’ll also get to learn from fellow edge rusher Nick Bosa. 

He could be slow out of the gate, but with his profile, he could become a dominant edge rusher.

Mike Green to Win NFL DROY +1200

Green is currently +1200 to win the NFL DROY.

Green had top 15 talent, but due to off-the-field concerns, he fell to No. 59 overall to the Baltimore Ravens. 

This was a massive area of need for the Ravens, who are getting a guy who led the FBS in sacks in 2024 with 17.0. 

He’s explosive off the edge and is always looking to get off his block.

Of course, he had this production with Marshall, who played at a lower level of competition. 

That said, he did post a sack against Ohio State on the road. 

We’ll see how he adjusts to the next level. 

List of Defensive Rookie of the Year Award Winners