The Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award has big names eyeing it as always. It’s also a highly competitive award, considering that only a few players have ever won it more than once. Last season’s winner, Patrick Surtain II, is unlikely to get a repeat win, but several others’ve dominated before and are touted to do so again in the 2025-26 NFL season.
Check out our list of top contenders as well as some betting tips to help you make the most informed decisions.
Top NFL DPOY contenders
Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns (DE)
Myles Garret received the DPOY honors in 2023 and ranked third in 2024. Although his team, the Cleveland Browns, hasn’t been very consistent, he remains a strong favorite to win the award. That’s because Garett is a game changer whose presence causes his opponents many troubles. He’s been the top pass rusher for three consecutive seasons and the only player in NFL history to post 14-plus sacks in four straight years.
He finished last season with a 92.8 pass-rush grade, 83 total pressures, a 23.1% pass-rush win rate, and an 18.1% pressure rate. Myles can dominate games independently, and he recently became the highest-earning defensive player in the NFL, a testament to his quality.
Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions (DE)
Despite being away due to a fractured tibia and fibula in 2024, Aidan Hutchinson has been remarkable. Prior to his injury, he led the NFL in sacks and achieved 72 pass-rush wins in just five games, a historic pace per PFF. He was the favorite to win the award last year before his campaign was cut short. He’ll be coming back for a chance to reassert his dominance and contribute to the Detroit Lions’ defense that missed his presence during the postseason.
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers (OLB)
Offenses continue to find it difficult to get past T.J. Watts’ defensive masterclass, courtesy of his knack for splash plays. Watts has won the DPOY once in 2021. He came in second place in 2023 and made the top 5 in 2024, so he’s a regular contender. The stats prove he has the quality and consistency to win, but his chances may be reduced if his vote splits with other edge rushers like Garrett and Hutchinson. To see what the experts forecast for Watt and his chances against other top contenders, you can visit the Sportytrader’s free picks page. It’s got picks and predictions on this and more NFL markets.
Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys (LB/DE)
Another top contender for the DPOY award is Micah Parsons, a player who’s shown versatility, resilience, and the ability to cause challenges for his opponents, regardless of their positions. Despite his team’s defensive woes last season and his missing four games due to a high ankle sprain, the linebacker recorded 12 sacks in 13 games.
Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans (DE)
Anderson’s game has improved after landing the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2023. He was impressive in 2024 as well, recording 11 sacks in 14 games and a career pressure rate of 15.3%. Seeing as he’s on an upward trajectory, this could potentially be a breakout season for the 23-year-old where he makes a solid push for the coveted award.
Tips to remember when betting on the NFL DPOY
Below are some useful tips to remember when betting on the DPOY market:
- Consider target value bets. For instance, placing a bet on Will Anderson with longer odds may bring better returns than short-priced Garrett or Hutchinson.
- Pass rushers have been historically the most frequent winners. Focus on edge rushers, defensive ends, and outside linebackers.
- Pay close attention to team success. Although not always, voters have a tendency to favor players on playoff teams.
- Sacks are not the only stats that matter. Look at tackles for loss, QB pressures, forced fumbles, and more. Surtain got last year’s DPOY award despite being a CB because he racked up impressive numbers.
- Voter fatigue is a real thing, so avoid repeat winners unless they vastly outperform the competition.
The 2025 NFL DPOY race is heating up among edge-rushing titans—Garrett, Hutchinson, Watt, Parsons, and Anderson. While it may be tricky to forecast the winner this early, these names are the most likely to take home the honors. They’ve performed increasingly well over the past seasons, several of them consistently in the race year after year. As a futures bet, this market offers amazing value, especially if you can identify high-upside players early on.
