The Defensive Player of the Year award is always hotly contested, and this season is no different. With a mix of elite pass rushers and hard-hitting linebackers in the mix, there’s no shortage of talent. We’ll dive into the odds, spotlight the top favorites and check out some sleeper picks that could surprise. Let’s dive into the NFL Defensive Player of the Year betting odds for 2024-25, most recently updated as of Friday, August 30. We’ll also highlight a pair of NFL expert picks for this year’s NFL DPOY Award!
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2024-25: Expert Betting Picks
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting Odds 2024-25
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NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting Odds 2024-25
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| T.J. Watt | +550 |
| Micah Parsons | +600 |
| Maxx Crosby | +700 |
| Myles Garrett | +800 |
| Nick Bosa | +900 |
| Aidan Hutchinson | +1000 |
| Chris Jones | +2500 |
| Josh Allen | +3000 |
| Will Anderson Jr. | +3000 |
| Montez Sweat | +3000 |
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds Analysis
The 2021 recipient of this award, T.J. Watt, is a top pick this season, holding the shortest odds at +550 (15.4%) at BetMGM. Last season, Watt matched his career high with 68 total tackles, adding 19 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception in 17 games.
Just 50 cents lower in the odds is linebacker Micah Parsons, who has finished second in DPOY voting twice in his first three seasons. There are always high expectations for this Dallas Cowboys team — especially on the defensive front, with Parsons leading the way.
Further down the board, some potential value exists with Will Anderson Jr. Anderson was last season’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Houston’s star defensive end is listed at +3000 (3.2%) odds. He wrapped up his rookie campaign with 45 tackles and seven sacks in 15 games.
Also at +3000 is Montez Sweat of the Chicago Bears. Last year, after a mid-season trade, he recorded 25 tackles and six sacks in nine games with the Bears. As the top player on Chicago’s defensive front this season, he’ll be under the spotlight with plenty of excitement in the Windy City.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds: Expert Betting Picks (2024-25)
@dburke5: Micah Parsons finished second in voting for this award in his first two seasons and then finished third last year. It’s about time he claims the top spot. Now, these odds of +600 certainly aren’t going to blow anyone away, but this award tends to be fairly top-heavy.
Parsons has missed just one regular season game in his career, which is huge because staying healthy is crucial to winning awards. He has increased his sack count each year, going from 13 to 13.5, and then to 14. Having won the NFC East last year, Dallas will endure a difficult schedule.
This will put more responsibility — and potential for increased recognition — on Parsons and the defense. Since entering the league, Parsons has taken it by storm. Now, with three years of experience under his belt, he is poised to enter his prime.
NFL Expert Defensive Player of the Year 2024-25 Pick: Micah Parsons (+600 at BetMGM)
@is_sirois: In the NBA, Defensive Player of the Year usually goes to the best player on the best defense. That isn’t always true for the NFL, but it was last year. Myles Garrett won DPOY in 2023 with 14 sacks, 33 solo tackles and nine assisted tackles. Among all vote-getting players, Garrett ranked fifth, ninth and 10th in those categories.
Of course, the Browns also led the NFL in expected points added (EPA) allowed per play, which made the case for backing a member of the Browns that much stronger.
Generally, the guy who leads the league in sacks will win Defensive Player of the Year. That’s what happened in 2022 and 2021. That didn’t happen in 2020 when Aaron Donald won, but that’s because Donald broke the game in other ways. Now that he has retired, we won’t have to worry about him anymore.
Only one defensive back, Stephon Gilmore, has won the award in the last decade. The last inside linebacker to do so was Luke Kuechly in 2013.
As a result, when making a Defensive Player of the Year bet, it’s best if your chosen player (1) could be the best player on the best defense or (2) could lead the NFL in sacks.
Based on those parameters, give me Justin Madubuike at +10000. Madubuike finished ninth in DPOY voting last year with 13 sacks. Baltimore’s defense ended the season ranked second in EPA allowed per play, too. Although Roquan Smith may be a higher-profile player, he doesn’t generate a ton of sacks, and Madubuike satisfies both conditions I’m looking for with this award.
NFL Expert Defensive Player of the Year 2024-25 Pick: Justin Madubuike (+10000 at BetMGM)
