NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds: T.J. Watt Looking for His Second

Most of the dust has settled from free agency, so we are in a bit of a lull between free agency and the NFL draft, including a shocking retirement from Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams.

Donald was a regular contender for the NFL's most prestigious defensive honor, so in the wake of him stepping away, we'll handicap the odds for NFL Defensive Player of the Year as they stand now.

There are some potentially intriguing bets, so let's take a look at the odds.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

NFL Defensive Player of The Year Odds

Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +600

Micah Parsons has taken the league by storm since being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021.

In his three seasons in the NFL, Parsons has recorded 40.5 sacks. That is the fourth-most in the league and the most for any linebacker.

Parsons finished third in voting for the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, including seven first-place votes. If you look at his grades from PFF, he rated as the second-best pass rusher for EDGE players in the league.

Parsons gets a lot of media publicity from being on the Cowboys -- and for generally being fun to watch on defense. He is a lightning-quick pass rusher who offenses need to account for every time they drop back to pass.

Since 2011, only one defensive back has been Defensive Player of the Year, so someone like Parsons will likely get heavy consideration for this award.

Myles Garrett, Edge, Cleveland Browns

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +700

The winner of the award in 2023, Myles Garrett is the second-favorite to take home the trophy again after the 2024 season.

Garrett has been a terror to opposing quarterbacks since he was the first-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has recorded 88.5 sacks in his career, the second most since he entered the league.

He only had 14 sacks in 2023, but benefited from the perception of the Cleveland Browns' elite defense. The voters may have rewarded the fact that Cleveland's defense was among the best -- ranked as the very best by numberFire's schedule-adjusted numbers.

Garrett definitely has earned his reputation as being one of the best pass rushers in football. He finished with PFF's number one pass-rushing grade in 2023.

Backing Myles Garrett to win the award again certainly has merit.

T.J. Watt, Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +800

For years, J.J. Watt was in the conversation for this award. Now, his younger brother T.J. Watt is a perennial contender to take it home every season.

T.J. won the award after the 2021 season. That year, he had 22.5 sacks -- tying the NFL record for most in a season.

Watt has the most sacks of any player in the NFL since 2017. He holds the top spot by top distance with eight more sacks than Myles Garrett.

Where Watt also has an advantage over someone like Garrett is when it comes to creating turnovers. These two players both came into the league in 2017, but Watt has 7 interceptions and 27 forced fumbles compared to no interceptions and 17 forced fumbles.

It's been ingrained in the head of anyone following the NFL that the Pittsburgh Steelers perpetually have a good defense. This helps the voters get behind Watt, and they will continue to do so if the Steelers have a better year with their new quarterback situation.

Nick Bosa, Edge, San Francisco

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +800

Like Watt, Nick Bosa is an edge rusher with an older brother that is prolific at the same position.

Nick has also won this award back in 2022. That year, he led the league in sacks with 18.5 in 16 games. In 2021, he led the league in tackles for loss with 21.5.

He has a lot of the attributes that the other guys have, as well, but lags behind a bit. Bosa has 53.5 sacks since joining the league, but Watt has 76.5 in the same time period.

Bosa did have better PFF grades than Watt in overall defense and pass rush. He still trails Parsons and Garrett in both of these categories, too.

It seems like Watt will have the better case for DPOY this season, so at the same odds, I would pass on Bosa and bet Watt. The San Francisco 49ers defense is littered with other stars, which will always hurt his case for individual contribution.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.