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NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds & Best Bets – Donald & Garrett Co-Favorites to Win

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in NFL Football

Updated Sep 5, 2022 · 10:04 AM PDT

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald practicing
Aug 29, 2022; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) participates in drills during training camp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
  • Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett are +700 co-favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year during the 2022-23 season
  • Nick Bosa and T.J. Watt have the next-shortest odds to win the award
  • Below, see the NFL’s 2022 DPOY favorites and best bets

Last season, T.J. Watt dismantled opposing offenses to the tune of an NFL-leading 22.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and 21 tackles for loss. He captured his first career Defensive Player of the Year Award and, unsurprisingly, he’s amongst the betting favorites again this season.

In the eyes of oddsmakers, he’s the fourth-most-likely option to snag the title in back-to-back seasons, sitting at +900. Co-favorites Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett see their DPOY odds set at +700.

2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Player (Team) Odds
Aaron Donald (Rams) +700
Myles Garrett (Browns) +700
Nick Bosa (49ers) +800
T.J. Watt (Steelers) +900
Micah Parsons (Cowboys) +1100
Joey Bosa (Chargers) +2000
Maxx Crosby (Raiders) +3300
Rashan Gary (Packers) +3300
Shaquille Leonard (Colts) +3300
Khalil Mack (Chargers) +3300
Danielle Hunter (Vikings) +4000
Derwin James (Chargers) +4000
Chandler Jones (Raiders) +4000
Von Miller (Bills) +4000
Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) +5000
Jalen Ramsey (Rams) +5000
Devin White (Buccaneers) +5000
Chase Young (Commanders) +5000
Bobby Wagner (Rams) +5000
Jaire Alexander (Packers) +6000

Odds as of September 1st at Barstool Sportsbook. Get this Barstool Sportsbook promo code.

 

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The aforementioned Watt won his first DPOY Award last season, putting up monster numbers as he shattered his previous high-water mark in sacks by 7.5. He has the slight edge over Myles Garrett to put up the most QB takedowns again this season.

Aaron Donald has been a force ever since the Rams took him with the 13th selection in 2014. He’s won DPOY in three of the last five seasons, most recently doing it in 2020. Garrett, the first overall pick in 2017, had a career-high in sacks last year with 16.

At odds of +700, a $10 wager on either Donald or Garrett would net a return of $80 should they win the prestigious award.

Donald Dominant Defender

Aaron Donald continues to chug along at a Hall of Fame pace through his first eight NFL seasons, and he’s showing no signs of letting up. Upon winning his first Super Bowl, there were rumblings he might retire, but that was quashed as he signed a 3-year, $95 million dollar extension.

Last season, he recorded 12.5 sacks, which was his sixth such double-digit sack campaign of his illustrious career. He also forced four fumbles for the fourth time in five years. He found himself front and center in a training camp brouhaha with the Bengals where he swung a helmet in a melee during practice.

Offensive coordinators tear their hair out in preparation for the beast that is Donald, and at this point there’s no obvious sign of regression in his game.

Garrett a Worthy Adversary

Even though Myles Garrett has been fantastic through five seasons, it feels like he hasn’t fully scratched the surface yet in his vast potential. He’s been ever so slightly out in front of the DPOY Odds race from before and after the draft, and throughout the preseason.

Garrett has racked up 28 sacks over the past two seasons, where he was in the top-six both times (third in 2021). In 68 career games, he’s posted 58.5 sacks.

He’ll have a terrific opportunity to get out to an early lead in the race. He’s up against former Browns QB Baker Mayfield and the Panthers in Week 1, where surely he’ll want to exact a measure of revenge on his former teammate.

Value Picks to Win 2022 NFL DPOY Award

In attempting to find value, look no further than last year’s champ T.J. Watt, who has longer odds than the top three choices (+900). He’d join his brother J.J. (2014-15) and Aaron Donald (2017-18) as recent back-to-back winners.

Peering further down the board, Joey Bosa of the Chargers at +2000 is very intriguing. He had 10.5 sacks in 2021, and tied for second with seven forced fumbles. With the addition of running mate Khalil Mack to that defense, should be go off, there’s a solid chance he wins DPOY.

However, the less risky play is simply the monster that flummoxed NFL teams last year in ridiculous fashion, as he became the first player in over three decades to lead in sacks two straight seasons. T.J. Watt also has more value than the top selections on the board.

Pick: T.J. Watt (+900)

 

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