Event Overview
The NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, presented annually by the Associated Press, honors the most dominant and impactful defensive player of the regular season. From game-changing edge rushers to lockdown cornerbacks, the award celebrates elite defensive excellence across the league.
This proposition bet focuses on predicting which defensive standout will rise above the rest and capture the DPOY title for the 2025–2026 season.
Award Criteria
Voters take into account several key metrics and intangibles when selecting the Defensive Player of the Year:
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Total tackles, sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, and passes defended
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Overall influence on game outcomes and defensive unit performance
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Consistency, leadership, and ability to disrupt opposing offenses
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Team success and media narrative momentum
Key Dates
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NFL Regular Season Start: September 2025
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Regular Season Ends: January 2026
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NFL Honors Ceremony: February 2026
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Defensive Player of the Year Award Announced: During the NFL Honors broadcast
Current Betting Odds and Predictions
Early sportsbook odds highlight some of the league’s most dominant defenders as favorites for the 2025–2026 DPOY award:
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Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys)
Parsons continues to redefine hybrid linebacker play with elite pass rush and coverage ability.
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Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns)
Coming off a career year, Garrett remains a game-wrecking force off the edge.
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T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Watt is always in the mix with his relentless motor and knack for big plays.
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Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders)
Crosby’s production and effort have earned league-wide respect, positioning him as a top-tier threat.
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Sauce Gardner (New York Jets)
A rising star at cornerback, Gardner is looking to bring DPOY attention back to the secondary.
Odds are updated weekly by major sportsbooks based on player performance, injuries, and defensive stats.
Trusted Articles and Expert Insights
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CBS Sports: 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds and Picks
Read Article
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Sportsbook Review: Defensive Player of the Year Futures & Predictions
Read Article
These articles provide expert breakdowns, trends to watch, and betting value picks throughout the season.
Where to Follow the News
To track odds movement, player stats, and award race updates, follow these top resources:
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NFL.com/Stats – Official defensive statistics and player rankings
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ESPN.com/NFL – Weekly recaps, power rankings, and injury reports
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Pro Football Focus (PFF) – Advanced defensive metrics and grades
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CBS Sports & FOX Sports – Player analysis, game previews, and award projections
Stay tuned to this page throughout the season for updated odds, weekly defensive highlights, and expert predictions leading up to the NFL Honors in February 2026.
Sportsbooks With Real Bets Here
This projection chart for BetMod 403 shows the Top 5 wagering options for "Sport" at 2025-09-16 23:33:13. The current order displaying on the Chart above is "Myles Garrett " as the projected winner, "Micah Parsons " is in second place, "Aidan Hutchinson " is in 3rd place right now, "Will Anderson Jr. " is showing up at 4th from the top, "TJ Watt " is showing up at 5th from the top.
Sportsbooks With Real Bets Here