NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award Odds 2026: Garrett and Anderson Favored Entering Week 1

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TheNFL Defensive Player of the Year odds are stacked with pass rushers, including single-season sack record holder Myles Garrett, who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams back in June.

Garrett is going for his second straight and third overall Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026-27, and he's seen his NFL odds shorten following the blockbuster deal as we head into Week 1 play.

• Key Takeaways:

• Garrett goes Hollywood
• Anderson Jr. headlines elite Texans unit
• Third-degree Burns?

NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds

Player Name	Probability
Myles Garrett	20%
Will Anderson Jr.	20%
Aidan Hutchinson	12%
Nik Bonitto	5%
Maxx Crosby	5%
Nick Bosa	4%
Abdul Carter	4%
T.J. Watt	4%
Trey Hendrickson	3%
Danielle Hunter	3%

Odds as of 9-7.Percentages courtesy ofKalshi.

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NFL Defensive Player of the Year favorites

Myles Garrett is coming off a record-setting 23 sacks last season and will look to put together another stat-stuffing campaign, this time with a winning team around him after joining the Los Angeles Rams (and now future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald).

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, pacing one of the NFL's top defenses.

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.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year futures predictions

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 ofSports 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

Position	Number of DPOY awards
Linebacker	17
Defensive end	14
Defensive tackle	10
Cornerback	7
Safety	5

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

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