NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Predictions, odds, and best bets
NFL training camps have begun. NFL Futures is checking popular bets to see if there are any enticing opportunities to make some money. The Defensive Player of the Year race features some of NFL's biggest stars and offers betting opportunities for new and experienced bettors alike. Four of last seven winners were on teams that had defenses outside of top 10. Four out of five winners had at least 11 sacks.
T.J. Watt was the Defensive Player of the Year last year after a record-breaking 22.5-sack season. He has had at least 13 sacks in each of last four years and has finished in the top three in Defensive player of year voting in last three years.
Aaron Donald is the favorite for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Donald has at least 11 sacks in each of last five years and six of his eight seasons in the league. He also made a career-high 84 tackles last season and 19 tackles for a loss.
Myles Garrett is a former number one pick and a first-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons. He is in his prime and should be able to have another 16+ sack season.
Micah Parsons won Defensive Rookie of the Year last season and is in his second season with the Dallas Cowboys. He had 84 tackles, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles and 30 QB hits last year. A $100 bet on him to win would earn a $1,000 profit.
Nick Bosa was the 2nd overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He started all 17 games last season and registered 15.5 sacks, 52 total tackles, and 21 tackles for loss.
Danielle Hunter is a longshot bet to win Defensive Player of the Year. Hunter finished 5th in 2019 after tallying 14.5 sacks, 70 tackles, and three forced fumbles. He missed the entire 2020 season with a herniated disc and played just seven games in 2021 due to a torn pectoral muscle.
Jeffrey Simmons was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro last season. He registered 8.5 sacks, 54 tackles, six passes defended, and 16 quarterback hits as a 24-year-old. A $100 bet on Simmons could earn you $8,000 profit.
