NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds: Myles Garrett Has Edge Heading Into Week 18

With one week to go in the 2023 NFL regular season, many awards are still up for grabs.

Week 18 is just days away, and teams are fighting for playoff spots while players are fighting for awards and bonuses. Considering we are 17 weeks through the season, you'd think the NFL Defensive Player of the Year would be shut down by now, but with games left and plenty on the line, nothing is decided as of this writing.

Let's take a look at the NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds per FanDuel Sportsbook.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: -250

Heading into the final weekend, Myles Garrett is the odds-on favorite to take home his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

For much of the year, the Cleveland Browns have had arguably the best defense in football, and Garrett has been a big part of that. On the season, Garrett has registered 14 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 42 total tackles, and 4 forced fumbles.

He doesn't lead the league in any of those categories but ranks top-10 in sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles. Per Pro Football Focus, he's the best pass rusher in football, as they give him a 93.6 defensive grade and 94.8 pass rushing grade -- both ranking first.

Add into all this that the Browns have allowed the least yards per game all year on defense (266.6) to show how great they've been from start to finish with Garrett leading the way.

Now, the Browns have announced that they will be resting players in Week 18 due to already locking up the top Wild Card spot in the AFC. This could always affect Garrett's standing if his season is officially complete while the other two top competitors continue to duke it out with their teams' playoff placement still in question.

If he doesn't play, which is very possible, then this award is still wide open for the taking.

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +350

Being far more focused as a pass rusher has made Micah Parsons incredibly valuable as a defensive player, which has made him a constant favorite for this award for much of the year.

Parsons has the numbers to support his claim, recording 13 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 2 passes deflected, 1 forced fumble, and 59 total tackles. Like Garrett, Parsons has been the top player on one of the best defenses in the league. His surface numbers aren't leading the league in any category, but his ability to force pressure is why he could have a big Week 18 with the Cowboys fighting for the NFC East division crown.

PFF has Parsons graded highly, ranking him third behind Garrett and Nick Bosa with a 92.6 defensive grade. The linebacker has the second-best pass rushing grade at 93.9.

His involvement on nearly every single down has led Parsons to be in contention, but unless he comes through huge to help the Cowboys clinch the NFC East, I'm not sure if his numbers are going to outclass Garrett -- even if the latter misses the final week.

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +450

The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Watt, has a real claim to win the award if he and the Pittsburgh Steelers can get themselves into the playoffs.

Right now, the Steelers need some help to have a shot at getting in, but it all starts with beating the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The Ravens are locked into having home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which means they're expected to rest many of their starters, including the MVP favorite, Lamar Jackson. With that being the case, the Steelers could fight their way in, and it'll likely be in big part because Watt makes noise like he has all season long.

Watt has been a disruptor in every which way this season -- as expected. He is tied for the NFL lead in sacks with 17 while adding 8 pass deflections, 1 interception, 60 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and a fumble returned for a touchdown. In terms of stats, he absolutely crushes the two above him, and it's why he deserves a look heading into the final week.

PFF does have Watt at a lower grade than both Garrett and Parsons in terms of defensive grade (91.5), but unlike the other two, he does check both boxes on rush defense (78.5) and coverage (71.1).

If he makes an impact on Sunday -- and it's hard to think he won't -- then there's a real chance that Watt brings home his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award when it's all said and done.

Looking for the latest NFL odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the NFL betting options.

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