While the offensive positions get a lot of the glory in the NFL, real football fans know that defence wins championships in this league. It’s difficult to make an impact as a rookie in the NFL, even more so on the defensive side of the ball. Imagine lining up against players like Derrick Henry or Ja’Marr Chase, or Justin Jefferson as a 20-year-old rookie in the NFL. Not an easy thing to do!
Defensive Rookie of the Year Betting Preview
Take a look at the NFL Draft Board each year. Offensive linemen, quarterbacks, and defensive players often dominate the first round. Over the past twelve years, nine quarterbacks have been taken first overall in the draft. The other three years have been defensive ends. With the NFL season right around the corner, let’s take a look at the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds.
What is the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award?
The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award is handed out annually to the defensive rookie who has the most outstanding season. It is voted on by a nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters for the Associated Press (AP) and handed out at the NFL Honours night, which is typically the night before the Super Bowl each year.
The Defensive Rookie of the Year Award was introduced in 1967, ten years after the NFL handed out its first Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The inaugural winner of the award was Detroit Lions cornerback Lem Barney, and the most recent winner was linebacker Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams.
Unlike the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, there has been more variance across defensive positions. In all, the award has been handed out to nine cornerbacks, 13 defensive ends, seven defensive tackles, 27 linebackers, and two safeties.
Recent NFL Defensive Rookies of the Year Winners
Recent winners of the award have been very mixed, as representatives of most defensive positions have taken it home. Last year’s winner was linebacker Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams, who had 66 combined tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries, while leading the Rams to the NFC Divisional Round in the NFL Playoffs.
Here is a list of recent winners of the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award:
| Year | Player Name | Player’s Team | Player’s Position |
| 2024 | Jared Verse | Los Angeles Rams | Linebacker |
| 2023 | Will Anderson Jr. | Houston Texans | Defensive End |
| 2022 | Sauce Gardner | New York Jets | Cornerback |
| 2021 | Micah Parsons | Dallas Cowboys | Linebacker |
| 2020 | Chase Young | Washington Redskins | Defensive End |
| 2019 | Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive End |
| 2018 | Shaquille Leonard | Indianapolis Colts | Linebacker |
| 2017 | Marshon Lattimore | New Orleans Saints | Cornerback |
| 2016 | Joey Bosa | San Diego Chargers | Defensive End |
| 2015 | Marcus Peters | Kansas City Chiefs | Cornerback |
| 2014 | Aaron Donald | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive Tackle |
| 2013 | Sheldon Richardson | New York Jets | Defensive End |
| 2012 | Luke Kuechly | Carolina Panthers | Linebacker |
| 2011 | Von Miller | Denver Broncos | Linebacker |
| 2010 | Ndamukong Su | Detroit Lions | Defensive Tackle |
The first thing that probably stands out is just how many superstars are on this list. Multiple first-ballot Hall-of-Famers on this list started their careers on the path to superstardom. Many have gone on to win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, as well as winning Super Bowls and appearing on the NFL’s All-Defensive team.
Who Will Win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025?
With the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, the voters have shown there is no real pattern in terms of positional preference. Each player can only win the award once in their rookie year, so there isn’t one position that gets voted for more than another. It is truly which defensive rookie has the best statistical season.
As the new NFL season fast approaches, online betting sites in Canada are updating their NFL Season Award odds. Here are the latest odds from BetVictor Canada’s sportsbook:
| Player Name | Player Team | Player Position | BetVictor Odds |
| Abdul Carter | New York Giants | Linebacker | +250 |
| Jalon Walker | Atlanta Falcons | Linebacker | +700 |
| Travis Hunter | Jacksonville Jaguars | Cornerback | +1000 |
| Mykel Williams | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive End | +1100 |
| Shemar Stewart | Cincinnati Bengals | Defensive End | +1200 |
| Mason Graham | Cleveland Browns | Defensive Tackle | +1200 |
| Mike Green | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker | +1400 |
| Jihaad Campbell | Philadelphia Eagles | Linebacker | +1600 |
| James Pearce Jr. | Atlanta Falcons | Defensive End | +1600 |
| Jahdae Barron | Denver Broncos | Cornerback | +2000 |
| Malaki Starks | Baltimore Ravens | Safety | +2000 |
| Donovan Ezeiruaku | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive End | +2500 |
| Walter Nolen | Arizona Cardinals | Defensive Tackle | +2500 |
| Maxwell Hairston | Buffalo Bills | Cornerback | +2800 |
| J.T. Tuimoloau | Indianapolis Colts | Defensive End | +3300 |
The current betting favourite for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year is New York Giants’ linebacker Abdul Carter. The Giants selected Carter third overall behind quarterback Cam Ward and Jacksonville’s wide receiver/cornerback Tracis Hunter. Although Hunter was taken ahead of Carter, his odds are +1000 to win the award.
Sometimes, talent alone is enough to win the award and justify the high betting odds. Carter certainly has the talent to win the award, but isn’t the most attractive odds on the board.
One name that pops out is standout defensive end Mykel Williams of the 49ers. The former Georgia Bulldog is an athletic beast and joins a rebuilding defence. He’ll be featured up front, but should only get single coverage from the opposing offensive line with Nick Bosa on the other side. At +1100, Williams likely has a better chance of winning than Hunter, who should primarily be playing wide receiver in his rookie season.
Another long shot that could be an intriguing addition to your awards portfolio is Dallas Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku. While he does not have the same name brand as the other defensive players, circumstances could thrust him into a much larger role. Cowboys’ superstar linebacker, and former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winner, Micah Parsons has requested a trade from the organization amid contract disputes. If this demand is granted, Ezeiruaku could be a major part of the Cowboys’ defence this season. It’s not a guarantee, but locking in his odds at +2500 at your preferred Canadian betting site could be a great bet by the end of the season.
In 2024, Los Angeles Rams’ linebacker Jared Verse took home the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. He is the first Ram since Aaron Donald to win the award and led the Rams to the NFC Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
By far, the linebackers have won the most NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards with 27. This means that in the 58 years since the award has been handed out, linebackers have won nearly half the time.
As of now, the betting favourite is New York Giants’ linebacker and third-overall pick, Abdul Carter. No other player comes close in terms of the odds of winning the award, although much can change by the end of the NFL regular season.
