2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds, Favorites, and Predictions

Nik Bonitto (+300)

Bonitto has skyrocketed all the way to the top of the board past Hutchinson, Parsons, and the rest of the defensive players in the NFL. It’s been a fantastic year for the 26-year-old Oklahoma product, who was selected with the 32nd pick of the second round in the 2022 NFL Draft.

He had a standout campaign a season ago, but largely flew under the radar. Despite Bonitto failing to get national recognition, he had a strong year, with 48 total tackles and 13.5 sacks.

Bonitto also intercepted a pass for a 71-yard pick-6. That fantastic form has carried over and proving he should have entered the season at much shorter than a +6000 underdog.

Nik Bonitto ahead of the pack 💪 pic.twitter.com/MJfeBBRIj7

— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2025

Bonitto has been a machine, with eight sacks in six games. He’s recorded seven sacks in four consecutive games and is showing no signs of slowing down. As a run stopper or dropping back coverage, Bonitto is all over the field and making big plays.

The updated 2025-26 NFL Defensive Player of the Year betting odds have it right with Bonitto as the leading favorite. However, there is a strong contingent of challengers on his heels.

Aidan Hutchinson (+330)

Lions star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson assumed the pole position in the DPOY race last season after racking up a league-high 6.5 sacks in the first four games. Hutchinson got another sack in Detroit’s Week 6 matchup against the Cowboys.

Unfortunately, Hutchinson also broke his leg in that game, bringing his season to an abrupt end.

Aidan Hutchinson practicing a move to HIT on Penei Sewell and then EXECUTING it 🔥🔥🔥

The Detroit Lions have the BEST defensive lineman’s and offensive lineman in the NFL

(🎥: @Lions) pic.twitter.com/OzNBtoNfGd

— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) August 15, 2025

That being said, Hutchinson is back and playing a huge role on the Lions’ defense. He currently trails Bonitto in sacks, but is heating up after being shutout in the season opener.

Hutchinson has notched six sacks over his last five matchups and is a major disruptor. In addition to getting to the quarterback, Hutchinson has forced four fumbles in four straight starts.

You can argue that Bonitto deserves the award right now based on the numbers. However, Hutchinson is dealing with double teams nearly every play. Fighting through so much traffic and getting to the quarterback is largely what makes Hutchinson that much of a threat.

His injury also makes him an interesting Comeback Player of the Year candidate. But with how well he’s responded to surgery to repair his tibia and fibula, Hutchinson is firmly in the running for the DPOY award. There is certainly a solid case to make for your NFL Defensive Player of the Year picks!

Micah Parsons (+400)

Another pass rusher in the running to win the 2025 award is LB Micah Parsons. Like Hutchinson, Parsons missed time last season with injuries. He missed four games but still racked up 12 sacks and 43 total tackles.

He nearly won DPOY as a rookie, and Parsons is undeniably one of the best defensive players in the NFL. After a trade to the Green Bay Packers days before the start of the regular season, Parsons is thriving in Wisconsin.

With Parsons in a contract dispute with the Dallas Cowboys, he was shipped out to Green Bay in a shocking deal. Parsons is making the most of his new opportunity with the Packers.

He has racked up 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Packers. While his numbers may not look impressive, Parson’s presence is undeniable and the refs are swallowing their whistles. He’s reshaped the Packers’ defense, and they are performing well as a unit. Overall, the Packers are fifth, with 280.2 yards allowed per game.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said that there will be a conversation with the officiating crew before the next game about the amount of missed holding calls on guys blocking Micah Parsons this season pic.twitter.com/eOkwqFzhGT

— SleeperPackers (@SleeperPackers) October 16, 2025

They’ve been hard to run on, yielding an average of 73 rushing yards per game, which can be a testament to Parsons’ arrival. I expect the numbers to follow for Parsons, so he remains in the hunt.

Myles Garrett (+600)

Cleveland Browns’ DE Myles Garrett is the heart and soul of his team. Without Garrett, the Browns don’t have much of a chance in games. He’s been quiet since a quick start on the field, though.

The 2023 DPOY winner compiled four sacks in his first three games, but has been shutout since then. Garrett has been effective with 23 tackles, though hasn’t been making a lot of noise as of late.

In 2024, Garrett followed up his DPOY season with 47 tackles and 14 sacks. The 14 sacks matched his total from a season earlier. Garrett is well off the pace, and needs to start padding the stat sheet. While Hutchinson and Bonitto continue dominating, Garrett’s numbers have been dormant.

JORDAN RUN! straight out of Jurassic Park 🦖@crosscountrymtg | @Flash_Garrett pic.twitter.com/T3emoM89nb

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 22, 2025

It’s important to note that Garrett is facing a similar issue as Parsons in being held and double-teamed. He is getting pressure regardless. That said, I do not see any value on Garrett’s NFL DPOY odds, so I would pass at +600.