Defensive player of the year odds heading into the 2026 season are dominated by elite pass rushers, with Myles Garrett and Will Anderson Jr. tied at the top of the market at 20% each, according to Kalshi figures reported by Covers on Sept. 8. Garrett, the reigning winner and single-season sack record holder, was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in June and is chasing his third award. Even as the season moves deep into November, the early playoff favorites of 2026 still shape the conversation.
Garrett Goes Hollywood
Garrett is coming off a record 23-sack campaign and will now play for a winning team alongside future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. His defensive player of the year odds shortened as Week 1 approached, and he is going for a second straight award.
The Rams are not a flawless team, though. Head coach Sean McVay has faced pressure over special teams errors in a loss to the Bills, a reminder that team success does not always decide this award.
Anderson Jr. Headlines an Elite Texans Defense
Anderson finished second to Garrett in last year’s voting and enters 2026 as a co-favorite. The Houston Texans edge rusher led the league in QB hurries and recorded three forced fumbles in 2025, powering one of the NFL’s best defenses. Because he plays on a top unit, his defensive player of the year odds carry real weight with voters.
Current Defensive Player of the Year Odds
Here is how the market looked as of Sept. 8, with percentages courtesy of Kalshi:
| Player | Probability |
| Myles Garrett | 20% |
| Will Anderson Jr. | 20% |
| Aidan Hutchinson | 12% |
| Nik Bonitto | 5% |
| Maxx Crosby | 5% |
| Nick Bosa | 4% |
| Abdul Carter | 4% |
| T.J. Watt | 4% |
| Trey Hendrickson | 3% |
| Danielle Hunter | 3% |
Kalshi is a regulated exchange where prices are listed as percentages from 0 to 100, reflecting the market’s estimated probability of an outcome. These defensive player of the year odds show that Garrett and Anderson Jr. together hold roughly 40% of the market, with Aidan Hutchinson the clear third choice at 12%.
Brian Burns: The Sleeper Pick
Not every contender is priced like a frontrunner. Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns recorded 16.5 sacks last season, second only to Garrett, and ranked in the top five among edge rushers in third-down pass-rush win rate. Covers’ pick sheet listed Garrett at 20% for 2.5 units and Burns at 2% for 0.5 units, both dated Aug. 1. If New York keeps winning, Burns’ defensive player of the year odds could shorten quickly.
Trends Bettors Should Know
History offers useful context for anyone tracking DPoy favorites for 2026 or weighing futures. Since the award debuted in 1974, eight defensive players have won it more than once, but no defensive back has ever won it twice. Five of the last 10 winners played on defenses ranked outside the top 10, so voters do not always reward team success the way MVP voters do.
By position, linebackers lead with 17 awards, followed by defensive ends (14), defensive tackles (10), cornerbacks (7), and safeties (5). Only two defensive backs have won in the last 10 seasons. For the bigger picture, check the latest NFL power rankings and week 7 risers and fallers and our breakdown of the top NFL trades ahead of the 2026 deadline, since team context can move a defender’s candidacy.
FAQs
Who is the favorite in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds?
Myles Garrett and Will Anderson Jr. are tied at 20% on Kalshi, the top spot in the defensive player of the year odds as of Sept. 8.
Who won the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award?
Myles Garrett won it, becoming the reigning champion after his record 23-sack season.
Can a defensive back win the award?
Yes. Patrick Surtain II won in 2024, but no defensive back has won it more than once, and edge rushers usually dominate the defensive player of the year odds.
Does a top-ranked defense help a player’s chances?
Not necessarily. Five of the last 10 winners played on defenses outside the top 10, though strong team results can still help a candidate like Burns gain momentum.