NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award Odds 2026: Garrett Injured, Hutchinson and Anderson Jr. Take Over

The NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds are stacked with pass rushers, including Aidan Hutchinson and Will Anderson Jr., who have emerged as frontrunners following the injury news surrounding Myles Garrett.

Garrett was looking to win his second straight and third overall Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026-27, but his NFL odds have gone into a complete tailspin after landing on IR.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds

Player Name	Probability
Aidan Hutchinson	18%
Will Anderson Jr.	16%
T.J. Watt	11%
Dallas Turner	9%
Kyle Hamilton	7%
Maxx Crosby	5%
Abdul Carter	5%
Fred Warner	4%
Trey Hendrickson	4%
Greg Rousseau	3%

Odds as of 9-22. Percentages courtesy of Kalshi.

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NFL Defensive Player of the Year favorites

Myles Garrett was essentially booted from the race after a quiet Week 1 performance before ultimately landing on IR to undergo minor knee surgery. The Los Angeles Rams superstar is now expected to be sidelined for at least the next four games.

With Aidan Hutchinson already sporting three sacks for the Detroit Lions, Will Anderson Jr. is another name to watch after finishing second to Garrett in last year’s DPOY voting. The Houston Texans edge rusher led the league in QB hurries and recorded three forced fumbles in 2025, anchoring one of the NFL's top defenses. 

NFL Defensive Player of the Year futures predictions

Not among the frontrunners is New York Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns, but he should be after recording 16.5 sacks last season, second only to Garrett.

Burns also finished Top 5 among all edge rushers in pass-rush win rate on third down last season. With New York expected to contend for a playoff spot following its coaching staff overhaul, his odds could shorten quickly if the Giants start stacking wins early.

Along with backing Garrett, I wouldn't mind taking a shot on Burns before Week 1.

Pick	Odds	Pick date	Units
Myles Garrett	20%	Aug. 1	2.5
Brian Burns	2%	Aug. 1	0.5

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NFL Defensive Player of the Year betting trends

• Since this award was first given out in 1974, eight 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. Five 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

Here's a look at the recent award history (preseason favorite and winner odds courtesy of Sports Odds History):

Year	NFL DPOY Award Winner	Position
2025	Myles Garrett	DE
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

Linebackers have historically dominated this honor, and only two defensive backs have taken home the award in the last 10 seasons.

NFL DPOY Odds FAQs

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