Who is the favorite to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award?
Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald is the Defensive Player of the Year favorite after winning the award in 2017 and 2018. Donald received only one vote for DPOY in 2019 but with 12.5 sacks and a league-high 24 tackles for loss from the interior of the defensive line, it wasn’t exactly a down year for him.
Next on the list of DPOY favorites are edge rushers Khalil Mack, Nick Bosa and T.J. Watt. Mack won the award in 2016 and was runner-up to Donald in 2018, but had just 8.5 sacks in 2019.
Nick Bosa is coming off winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, while the younger Watt brother has totaled 27.5 sacks over the last two years for Pittsburgh. Last year’s NFL DPOY winner, Patriots cornerback Stephen Gilmore is fifth at +1,600.
Who are some long shots who could win the NFL DPOY Award?
With sacks being one of the sexiest stats for defensive players to put up, there are several pass rushers on the NFL DPOY odds board that could provide great value. Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa (+2,500) has racked up 40 sacks in 51 games over his career and is still just 24 years old.
Last year’s league-leader in sacks, Shaquil Barrett is listed at +4,200. Barrett also led the NFL in QB hits with 37 in 2019, which is a good indication that his 19.5 sacks were no fluke. With Vita Vaea and Devin White likely to show improvement for the Bucs this season, blockers may not be able to focus on Barrett.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds
| Player | Position | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Donald | DL | +750 |
| Khalil Mack | Edge | +1,100 |
| Nick Bosa | Edge | +1,300 |
| T.J. Watt | Edge | +1,500 |
| Stephon Gilmore | CB | +1,600 |
| J.J. Watt | DL | +1,800 |
| Von Miller | Edge | +1,800 |
| Derwin James | SS | +2,000 |
| Bobby Wagner | LB | +2,300 |
| Danielle Hunter | Edge | +2,300 |
| Joey Bosa | Edge | +2,500 |
| Chandler Jones | Edge | +2,900 |
| Darius Leonard | LB | +2,900 |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | FS | +2,900 |
| Tre’Davious White | CB | +2,900 |
| DeMarcus Lawrence | Edge | +3,300 |
| Jadeveon Clowney | Edge | +3,300 |
| Jamal Adams | SS | +3,300 |
| Myles Garrett | Edge | +3,300 |
| Bradley Chubb | Edge | +4,200 |
| Calais Campbell | DL | +4,200 |
| DeForest Buckner | DL | +4,200 |
| Jalen Ramsey | CB | +4,200 |
| Shaquil Barrett | Edge | +4,200 |
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Betting Trends
• Since this award was first given out in 1974, seven defensive players have claimed this award more than once. However, no defensive back has ever won it multiple times.
• The NFL DPOY odds board is filled with pass rushers for 2020, which is little surprise given that seven of the last nine winners of the award totalled at least 11 sacks.
• While voters for the NFL MVP Award seems to take team success into the equation, the same hasn’t necessarily been true for DPOY accolades. While last year’s winner was on a Patriots Defense that ranked first in the league, four of the last six winners of the DPOY award were on defenses that ranked outside the Top-10.
Who has won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year?
A quick look at the NFL DPOY winners since 2000 and the position they played.
| Year | NFL DROY Award Winner | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Stephon Gilmore | CB |
| 2018 | Aaron Donald | DT |
| 2017 | Aaron Donald | DT |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | Edge |
| 2015 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2014 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2013 | Luke Keuchly | LB |
| 2012 | J.J. Watt | DE |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | Edge |
| 2010 | Troy Polamalu | S |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson | DB |
| 2008 | James Harrison | Edge |
| 2007 | Bob Sanders | S |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor | Edge |
| 2005 | Brian Urlacher | LB |
| 2004 | Ed Reed | S |
| 2003 | Ray Lewis | LB |
| 2002 | Derrick Brooks | LB |
| 2001 | Michael Strahan | DE |
| 2000 | Ray Lewis | LB |
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