NFL Defensive Player of the Year 2023 Odds, Favorites & Predictions

In his first two professional seasons, Micah Parsons has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive players, finishing runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Will this year be the year that Parsons wins the award? He sits atop the preseason odds, but Nick Bosa and T.J. Watt, the two previous NFL Defensive Player of the Year winners, will both be in contention to join elite company as the ninth player to win the award multiple times.

2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Odds are via BetUS as of Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

• Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys +550
• T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers +700
• Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns +700
• Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers +1000
• Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders +1400
• Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, New York Jets +1600
• Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams +2000
• Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles +2000
• Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers +2500
• Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs +2500
• Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions +2800
• Quinnen Williams, New York Jets +3000
• Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers +3300
• Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens +3300
• Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers +4000
• Matthew Judon, New England Patriots +4000
• Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos +4000
• Von Miller, Buffalo Bills +5000
• Jaelen Phillips, Miami Dolphins +5000
• Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants +5000
• Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers +5000
• Chase Young, Washington Commanders +5000
• Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins +6000
• Trey Hendrickson, New Orleans Saints +6000
• Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers +6000
• Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars +6000

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Favorites

Micah Parsons

After recording 84 tackles, 13 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in his outstanding rookie season, Parsons was runner-up to T.J. Watt, who broke the NFL’s single-season sack record.

Last season, he appeared to be well on his way to bettering that result after picking up 12 sacks in his first 11 games. But over his final six games, he had just 1.5 sacks, while eventual winner Nick Bosa tallied seven sacks over his final six games to finish as the NFL’s leader in that category.

Of course, statistics don’t tell the whole story. But for Parsons to get over the hump–which is a funny thing to say when finishing runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in each of your first two seasons is no small feat–causing consistent chaos from Week 1 to Week 18 is what needs to happen for both he and the Dallas Cowboys to meet or exceed their potential.

T.J. Watt

Watt’s quest to join his brother J.J., Aaron Donald, and Lawrence Taylor as the only players to win the award in back-to-back seasons was derailed when he suffered a torn pectoral in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Were it not for his injury, he would have been in a strong position to repeat. In that game against Cincinnati, he had six tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss, and an interception.

Ultimately, Watt missed seven games, and when he returned, he registered only a half-sack in his first four games back. However, he finished strong with four sacks in his final five games to help the Steelers very nearly make the playoffs after a 2-6 start.

Myles Garrett

Given the level of success that Garrett has had over his first six seasons, it might seem a little surprising to some that he is yet to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

But in addition to having to contend with the likes of Aaron Donald, he also missed one of his best opportunities in 2019, when he was suspended for the final six games due to his incident with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, after recording ten sacks in his first ten games.

Since that incident, Garrett has 44 sacks in 47 games, including back-to-back seasons with 16 sacks in 2021 and 2022. If he can continue a high level of production this season, he will be in contention to better last season’s fifth-place finish in the DPOY voting.

It also won’t hurt if the Browns are better this year. Being on a good team isn’t a prerequisite for winning these awards, but it does not hurt to be on a team that is in the spotlight weekly.

Nick Bosa

Based on history, it may take a truly special season for Bosa to repeat.

When it comes to the NFL’s annual individual honors, repeat winners are rare across the board.

Only six players have been named NFL MVP by the AP in consecutive seasons.

Earl Campbell and Marshall Faulk are the only two players to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons–both did it three straight seasons–

And as mentioned above, only three players have won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. One of them is arguably the best defensive player in NFL history, and the two others are arguably the top two defensive players of the last decade.

Between voter fatigue, performance drop-offs, and other players simply having special seasons of their own, it is hard to go back-to-back.

As for Bosa, his repeat run could be affected by an ongoing holdout, as he aims to be rewarded for his success with a hefty new deal.

Will he play in Week 1 against Watt and the Steelers? Notable contract disputes are often resolved before any games are missed, but will that happen in this situation?

Other Potential NFL Defensive Player of the Year Contenders

Haason Reddick

Last season, Reddick had 16 sacks and five forced fumbles to help the Eagles lock up the top seed in the NFC. As a result, he finished fourth in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Bosa, Parsons, and Chris Jones.

Chris Jones

It is understandable that Kansas City’s offense gets the attention that it does, but Jones has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

Last season, he recorded 15.5 sacks for the second time in his career, matching his 2018 campaign.

Prior to that last season, 2018 was the last time he played every game. If he can do that this season, another high DPOY finish will be in order.

Aidan Hutchinson

After being taken second overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson made an immediate impact with the Lions, with 52 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and three interceptions.

He was beaten out for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors by Sauce Gardner, but he is in line to play a huge role in Detroit’s quest to win their first division title since the 1993 season and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Quinnen Williams

Behind Jones, Williams was the second-highest defensive tackle in last season’s DPOY voting, as he finished seventh. He posted a career-high 12 sacks, tied a career high with 55 tackles, and was a first-team AP All-Pro selection.

As with Hutchinson and the Lions, the Jets should be in the spotlight a lot more this season after acquiring Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. Will that increased attention pay off with NFL Defensive Player of the Year voters?

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Predictions

Likely NFL Defensive Player of the Year Winner: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

There’s a good chance that the award will come down to Parsons and T.J. Watt for the second time in three seasons. But this time around, Parsons will come out on top.

His subpar finish to last season should serve as a motivator for this year. If it does, it will pay big dividends for both he and the Cowboys, who are trying to recapture the NFC East title and make a serious run at a championship.

Best Value Option: Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

If Hutchinson makes the leap from year one to year two that elite players are expected to make, it will not be a surprise if he is in the mix for DPOY come the end of the season.

Recent NFL Defensive Player of the Year Winners

• 2022: Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers
• 2021: T.J. Watt, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
• 2020: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
• 2019: Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England Patriots
• 2018: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
• 2017: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
• 2016: Khalil Mack, DE, Oakland Raiders
• 2015: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
• 2014: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
• 2013: Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers
• 2012: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
• 2011: Terrell Suggs, LB, Baltimore Ravens
• 2010: Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
• 2009: Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers
• 2008: James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Where to Bet on the NFL

Many of the top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of NFL odds throughout the season. In addition to being able to make weekly NFL picks on games from the Hall of Fame Game to the Super Bowl, you can also bet on the major awards like NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and more at most reputable sports betting sites.

• BetOnline
• Bovada
• Bookmaker
• Sportsbetting.ag

Along with BetUS, where the NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds in this article came from, there are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NFL betting. The above books are some of the others that we highly recommend.

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.