NFL Award Odds

NFL Award Odds & Predictions: Jackson Clear MVP Favorite

2023 NFL MVP Odds

Odds To Win 2023 NFL MVP
PlayerOdds
Lamar Jackson-20,000
Dak Prescott+1600
Brock Purdy+1800
Josh Allen+2200

Things were messy at the top of the MVP odds for most of the season, with Hurts, Mahomes, Purdy, and Prescott all taking their turn as the leader. But now that the season is finally coming to a close, Lamar Jackson has landed on top.

I was banging the drum for a Jackson value pick for the last few weeks of the regular season, but there isn't any value to be had anymore. This year, he posted the most efficient passing season of his career, his usual running dominance, and led the Ravens to a brilliant season.

Best Bet: Lamar Jackson

Last 10 NFL MVP Winners
YearPlayer
2022QB Patrick Mahomes (KC)
2021QB Aaron Rodgers (GB)
2020QB Aaron Rodgers (GB)
2019QB Lamar Jackson (BAL)
2018QB Patrick Mahomes (KC)
2017QB Tom Brady (NE)
2016QB Matt Ryan (ATL)
2015QB Cam Newton (CAR)
2014QB Aaron Rodgers (GB)
2013QB Peyton Manning (DEN)

Right away, we can spot a few regular customers on the MVP podium. Aaron Rodgers has won the hardware three times in the last 10 years, and Patrick Mahomes is on pace for the same accolades, winning twice in the past five.

Notably, Mahomes successfully shattered the "MVP Curse" – before Kansas City’s 2022 victory, zero NFL MVPs had come from Super Bowl-winning teams over the last 10 years.

Over the past 10 years, the NFC and AFC conferences have split five of the last 10 MVP winners each.

NFL Teams with the Most NFL MVP Awards

Whether they’re aided by a star player or an excellent few years for the program, certain NFL squads have attracted more MVP-quality players than the rest. 

NFL MVP Winners by Team
TeamNFL MVPLast NFL MVP Winners
Green Bay Packers10Aaron Rodgers (2021)
Indianapolis Colts9Peyton Manning (2009)
New England Patriots5Tom Brady (2017)
San Francisco 49ers5Steve Young (1994)
Buffalo Bills4Thurman Thomas (1991)
Las Vegas Raiders4Rich Gannon (2002)
Cleveland Browns4Brian Sipe (1980)
Los Angeles Rams4Marshall Faulk (2000)
Minnesota Vikings3Adrian Peterson (2012)
Denver Broncos3Peyton Manning (2013)
Tennessee Titans3Steve McNair (2003)
Washington Commanders3Joe Theismann (1983)
Kansas City Chiefs3Patrick Mahomes (2022)
Cincinnati Bengals2Boomer Esiason (1988)
New York Jets2Joe Namath (1969)
Los Angeles Chargers2LaDanian Tomlinson (2006)
New York Giants2Lawrence Taylor (1986)
Baltimore Ravens1Lamar Jackson (2019)
Carolina Panthers1Cam Newton (2015)
Seattle Seahawks1Shaun Alexander (2005)
Chicago Bears1Walter Payton (1977)
Detroit Lions1Barry Sanders (1997)

There are only six franchises missing from this list – the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have never produced an NFL MVP.

Schools that produced the most NFL MVP winners

Certain football schools around the US have cultivated a reputation for churning out NFL stars—or just being blessed with the likes of Manning, Brady, and Rodgers. These are the schools that have had the most MVP alumni throughout the history of the award.

NFL MVP Winners by College Team
TeamConferenceNumber of NFL MVPSList of NFL MVP Winners
Notre DameIndependent5Joe Montana (x2), Alan Page, Joe Theismann, Paul Hornung
AlabamaSEC5Joe Namath (x2), Ken Stabler, Shaun Alexander, Bart Starr
TennesseeSEC5Peyton Manning (x5)
CaliforniaPac 124Aaron Rodgers
LouisvilleACC4Johnny Unitas (x3), Lamar Jackson
SyracuseACC4Jim Brown (x3), Jim Nance
LSUSEC3Bert Jones, Jim Taylor, Y.A. Tittle
USMSBC3Brett Favre (x3)
MichiganBig 103

Tom Brady (x3)

 

NFL MVP Odds Betting Trends and Notes

Over time, we’ve begun to identify a few similarities between NFL MVP winners. These findings can help you analyze the current odds and predict next year’s winner. Although there isn’t an exact formula for what constitutes an MVP season, here are a few helpful tidbits and fun facts to help you make a futures bet.

  • The past 10 MVPs have all been quarterbacks, and each won their respective division.
  • Out of these 10 QBs, 7/10 of them finished on a team with the highest winning percentage in the league: Rodgers and Mahomes finished T2 in 2020 and 2018, respectively, and Matt Ryan’s Falcons ended T4 in 2016.
  • Since 2001, only three non-QBs have won MVP, with all three being running backs.
  • Only Lamar Jackson (2019) and Tom Brady (2017) have received unanimous MVP votes.
  • 9/10 of the last NFL MVPs were selected in the first round of the draft; Tom Brady is the outlier, being selected 199th overall in the sixth.
  • When the Kansas City Chiefs won in 2022, Mahomes became the 7th player to win both the Super Bowl MVP and NFL MVP in the same season.
  • In the strike-shortened 1982 season, kicker Mark Moseley won the NFL MVP award.
  • Only three non-offensive players have won NFL MVP, the aforementioned Moseley, Alan Page, and Lawrence Taylor.

2023 NFL Offensive Player Of The Year Odds

Odds To Win 2023 NFL OPOY
PlayerOdds
Christian McCaffrey-350
Tyreek Hill+250

Tyreek Hill is putting up one hell of a receiving season. But, there was no more dynamic player in the NFL than Christian McCaffrey this year.

The 49ers running back will finish the 2023-24 campaign with a monster season, leading the NFL with 1459 rushing yards, racking up 21 touchdowns, and adding 564 more yards in the air. That kind of multi-purpose weapon is unmatched in the modern NFL. Sure, Tyreek Hill dominated through the air, but CMC did it all.

Best Bet: CMC (+350)

Last 10 Offensive Player of the Year Winners 

Last 10 Offensive Player of the Year Winners
YearPlayerTeamPosition
2022Justin JeffersonMinnesota VikingsWR
2021Cooper KuppLos Angeles RamsWR
2020Derrick HenryTennessee TitansRB
2019Michael ThomasNew Orleans SaintsWR
2018Patrick MahomesKansas City ChiefsQB
2017Todd GurleyLos Angeles RamsRB
2016Matt RyanAtlanta FalconsQB
2015Cam NewtonCarolina PanthersQB
2014DeMarco MurrayDallas CowboysRB
2013Peyton ManningDenver BroncosQB

These players are prime examples of what makes an OPOY candidate—elite playmakers at their individual positions who almost single-handedly created a chance for their team to win week in and week out.

Before Michael Thomas, the last wide receiver to earn OPOY was Jerry Rice, who won the honor 26 years ago in 1993. As if making up for lost time, we then saw two more WRs take home the award in the past three years. There’s a trend here that might indicate the league is warming to the concept of stellar receivers earning their dues.

Players that have won multiple Offensive Player of the Year awards

Multiple OPOY Award Winners
PlayerTeamWinsPositionYears
Earl CampbellHouston Oilers*3RB1978-1980
Marshall FaulkSt Louis Rams*3RB1999-2001
Jerry RiceSan Francisco 49ers2WR1987, 1993
Barry SandersDetroit Lions2RB1994, 1997
Terrell DavisDenver Broncos2RB1996, 1998
Tom BradyNew England Patriots2QB2007, 2010
Drew BreesNew Orleans Saints2QB2008, 2011
Peyton ManningIndianapolis Colts/Denver Broncos2QB

2004, 2013

*Franchises that have since relocated

Esteemed company, to say the least, these players are the only OPOYs to have been awarded twice or more. Faulk and Davis are the only members of this list who helped their team bring home a Super Bowl in the same year as their award, 2000 and 1998, respectively.

NFL Franchises with the Most Offensive Player of the Year awards

Franchises with most OPOY Award Winners
FranchiseWinnersLast Winner
Tennessee Titans6Derrick Henry (2020)
Los Angeles Rams6Cooper Kupp (2021)
San Francisco 49ers5Jerry Rice (1993)
New Orleans Saints3Michael Thomas (2019)
Minnesota Vikings3Adrian Peterson (2012)
Denver Broncos3Peyton Manning (2013)

Nine NFL teams have never had an OPOY award winner - the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Schools that produced the most Offensive Player of the Year Winners

Every college football program has its own strengths; these schools have proven their ability to create a strong foundation for their offensive weapons, with multiple players going on to win NFL OPOY.

SchoolConferenceNumber of WinnersLast OPOY Winner
GeorgiaSEC4Todd Gurley (2017)
TexasBig 124Priest Holmes (2002)
San Diego StateMountain West3Marshall Faulk (2001)
Oklahoma StateBig 123Barry Sanders (1997)
Alabama SEC 3Derrick Henry (2020)
TennesseeSEC3Peyton Manning (2013)
LSUSEC2Justin Jefferson (2022)
OklahomaBig 122Demarco Murray (2014)
Mississippi Valley StateSWAC2Jerry Rice (1993)
Notre DameIndependent2Joe Montana (1989)
USCPac-122Marcus Allen (1985)

No surprise to see the historical dominance of the SEC here, followed by three from the Big 12. These conferences have proven to be a breeding ground for NFL superstars for generations.

Notably, Marshall Faulk and Earl Campbell do a decent bit of heavy lifting for San Diego St. and Texas, respectively, both contributing three titles each.

Offensive Player of the Year Betting Trends and Notes

If there’s just one trend to be noted for the Offensive Player of the Year award, it’s that the time for wide receivers is now. There’s been a tremendous jump in expectations of a WR winning the award, and judging by the 2023 odds, that trend will only continue.

Of course, there are other similarities between the best players in the league from year to year. Whether it be a league-leading stat in a given category or the quality of team they belong to, here are a few important snippets that will factor into the OPOY winner.

  • This award has a significant overlap with MVP; 28 of the 50 historical OPOYs have also been named MVP.
  • There have been four wide receivers to win the award since 1972; three of these winners have come from the previous four seasons.
  • OPOYs typically belong to the team that finishes first overall in their division. The past 10 winners were all divisional champions.
  • Record-breaking seasons are an important catalyst for OPOY winners. O.J. Simpson, Drew Brees, Dan Marino, and Peyton Manning all set various records during their years and won the award.

 

2023 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year Odds

Odds To Win 2023 NFL DPOY
PlayerOdds
Myles Garrett-260
Micah Parsons+300
TJ Watt+500
Maxx Crosby+5000

Myles Garrett beasted his way through this season. In 16 games he forced four fumbles, earned 14 sacks, and racked up 33 solo tackles. 

I know this is an individual award, too. But, Garrett should get a bump in his DPoY chances as the Cleveland defense was arguably the league's best defense this year. The Browns allowed just 266 yards per game against, 20 fewer than any other squad.

Best Bet: Myles Garrett (-260)

Last 10 Defensive Player of the Year Winners 

Last 10 DPOY Winners
YearPlayerTeamPosition
2022Nick BosaSan Francisco 49ersDE
2021T.J. WattPittsburgh SteelersLB
2020Aaron DonaldLos Angeles RamsDT
2019Stephon GilmoreNew England PatriotsCB
2018Aaron DonaldLos Angeles RamsDT
2017Aaron DonaldLos Angeles RamsDT
2016Khalil MackOakland Raiders*DE
2015J.J. WattHouston TexansDT
2014J.J. WattHouston TexansDT
2013Luke KuechlyCarolina PanthersLB

*now the Las Vegas Raiders.

Our previous 10 DPOY winners have a few familiar faces… Donald and T.J. Watt make up 50% of this list! With Watt’s retirement in 2022, Donald can cement himself in legend as the first player to win the award four times.

These two players emphasize what goes into the award’s decision – an ongoing effort to be the best at their position and single-handedly derail games with a timely sack or stripped ball.

The AFC and NFC both contribute five players to this list, an even split of defensive excellence across the league.
 

Players that have won multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards

Multiple DPOY Award Winners
PlayerAwards WonPositionTeamWinning Seasons
Lawrence Taylor3LinebackerNew York Giants1981 - 1982, 1986
J.J. Watt3Defensive EndHouston Texans2012, 2014 - 2015
Aaron Donald3Defensive TackleLos Angeles Rams2017 - 2018, 2020
Joe Greene2Defensive TacklePittsburgh Steelers1972, 1974
Mike Singletary2LinebackerChicago Bears1985, 1988
Bruce Smith2Defensive EndBuffalo Bills1990, 1996
Reggie Smith2Defensive EndPhiladelphia Eagles / Green Bay Packers1987, 1998
Ray Lewis2LinebackerBaltimore Ravens2000, 2003

Where only two running backs have won 3 awards for Offensive Player of the Year, the DPOY award boasts three stalwart defenders in Donald, Watt, and Taylor. All three of these players earned the award in back-to-back seasons.

For all their accolades, none of these players brought their team to a Super Bowl in the same year they won DPOY.
 

NFL Teams with the Most Defensive Player of the Year awards

NFL Teams with the most DPOY awards
TeamAwards WonMost Recent DPOY Winner
Pittsburgh Steelers8OLB - T.J. Watt (2021)
Baltimore Ravens4OLB - Terrell Suggs (2011)
New York Giants4DE - Michael Strahan (2001)
Houston Texans3DE - J.J. Watt (2015)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers3LB - Derrick Brooks (2002)
Buffalo Bills3DE - Bruce Smith (1996)
Miami Dolphins3DE - Jason Taylor (2006)
San Francisco 49ers3DE - Nick Bosa (2022)
Los Angeles Rams3DT - Aaron Donald (2020)
Chicago Bears3LB - Brian Urlacher (2005)

The Steelers don’t even make this close - their long-standing reputation as defensive juggernauts is well-earned, doubling the Ravens and Giants’ collection of DPOY award winners.

As of now, the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders remain without a single honouree for this award.
 

Schools that produced the most Defensive Player of the Year Winners

In the high-scoring environment of NCAA Football, colleges cherish their defensive playmakers. These schools helped multiple future NFL DPOY winners hone their skills and head into the league with the skill and confidence to shut down an offence.

Schools that produced the Most DPOY Winners
SchoolConferenceAmount of DPOY WinnersMost Recent DPOY Winner
Miami (FL)ACC5Ed Reed (2004)
PittsburghACC3Aaron Donald (2020)
WisconsinBig 10 (West)3J.J. Watt (2015)
North CarolinaACC3Lawrence Taylor (1986)
Kent StateMAC (East)2James Harrison (2008)
Florida StateACC2Derrick Brooks (2002)
TennesseeSEC (East)2Reggie White (1998)
Virginia TechACC2Bruce Smith (1996)
BaylorBig 122Mike Singletary (1988)
Texas A&MSEC (West)2Lester Hayes (1980)
North TexasAAC2Joe Greene (1974)

Regarding conferences, the ACC boasts the most DPOY winners at 15, while the SEC trails behind with 4. Next time you want to wager on a futures bet, pay attention to the alma mater – the historical trend looks appealing here.

Defensive Player of the Year Betting Trends and Notes

Over time, we’ve begun to identify a few similarities between DPOY winners. These findings can help you analyze the current odds and predict next year’s winner. Although there isn’t an exact formula for what constitutes an award-winning season, here are a few helpful tidbits and fun facts to help you make a bet.

  • Four of the previous ten winners led the league in sacks during their DPOY season - Nick Bosa, Aaron Donald, and J.J. Watt (twice).
  • Out of the previous ten winners, Aaron Donald (2020) and J.J. Watt (2015) are the only two players to have favourited odds before the start of the season,
  • The four most recent DPOY winners represent the longest span the award has gone to a different player each year since J.J. Watt won his first award in 2012.
  • Players can still stand a chance at winning even if their team’s performance is subpar - four of the last eight winners played on a defense that was ranked lower than the top ten.

2023 NFL Comeback Player Of The Year Odds

Odds To Win 2023 NFL Comeback Player Award
PlayerOdds
Damar Hamlin-300
Joe Flacco+220
Baker Mayfield+1000

It's really hard to pick anyone but Damar Hamlin here. The Bills' defensive back simply returning to the field was an incredible accomplishment. While the returns of guys like Joe Flacco and Matthew Stafford have been impressive this year, nobody is taking this award from Hamlin.

Best Bet: Damar Hamlin (-300)

Last 10 Comeback Player of the Year Winners 

Last 10 Comeback Player of the Year Winners
YearPlayerTeamPosition
2022Geno SmithSeattle SeahawksQB
2021Joe BurrowCincinnati BengalsQB
2020Alex SmithWashington CommandersQB
2019Ryan TannehillTennessee TitansQB
2018Andrew LuckIndianapolis ColtsQB
2017Keenan AllenLos Angeles Chargers*WR
2016Jordy NelsonGreen Bay PackersWR
2015Eric BerryKansas City ChiefsSafety
2014 Rob GronkowskiNew England PatriotsTE
2013Philip RiversSan Diego Chargers*QB

* now Los Angeles Chargers

The previous ten winners showcase athletes who have battled adversity and fought to exceed expectations of their performance. Whether that was overcoming a severe injury or rejuvenating their career, the formula for CPOY winners changes year over year.

Quarterbacks are generally the favorite candidates for this honor. Thanks to their direct role in shaping a team’s season, underdogs like 2022 winner Geno Smith receive high-profile praise for his surprising regular-season performance leading the Seattle Seahawks to the postseason.
 

NFL Teams with the Most Comeback Player of the Year Winners

NFL Teams with The Most CPOY Winners
TeamNumberMost Recent CPOY Winner
New England Patriots3TE - Rob Gronkowski (2014)
San Francisco 49ers3RB - Garrison Hearst (2001)
Los Angeles Chargers3WR - Keenan Allen (2017)
Cincinnati Bengals2QB - Joe Burrow (2021)

As a relatively newer award, the opportunity for NFL squads to have multiple Comeback winners has been slim, but that hasn’t stopped players on the above teams from displaying resilience and inspiring storylines.

12 out of the 32 teams in the league have never had a player win a Comeback Player of the Year award: the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Comeback Player of the Year Betting Trends and Notes

Finding exact trends for the Comeback Player of the Year can be tricky – it’s a far different category than any other NFL honor, but that doesn’t mean there’s not still an edge to be found.

Keep an ear to the ground for developing storylines, overperforming players, and the overarching media sentiment of a player’s season. Check out these historical trends to begin researching who’s most likely to have an award-winning comeback season.

  • The previous five winners of the awards have all been quarterbacks.
  • Chad Pennington is the only player to have been given the award twice, in 2006 and 2008 respectively.
  • From 2014 to 2018, each Comeback Player of the Year had experienced a season-ending injury the year prior – for example, Keenan Allen tore his ACL in 2016 and bounced back to record the third-highest passing yards in 2017.
  • Whereas most other positions are voted on by a panel of 50 sportswriters for the Associated Press, this award is selected by a large media panel nationwide.
     

2023 NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year Odds

Odds To Win Offensive Rookie of the Year
PlayerOdds
CJ Stroud-650
Puka Nacua+375

Even with some missed time, it's impossible to deny CJ Stroud.

The Texans quarterback made rookie history, passing for 23 touchdowns to just five interception in his first NFL campaign. With the lowest turnover rate in football and one of the highest passing yards per contest, Stroud is in discussion among the best QBs in football this year, not just rookies.

Even though he missed a few games in December due to injury, Stroud should still easily win this OROY Award for his strong season and leading the Texans to the playoffs.

Best Bet: CJ Stroud (-650)

Last 10 Offensive Rookie of the Year Winners 

Last 10 OROY Winners
YearPlayerTeamPosition
2022Garrett WilsonNew York JetsWR
2021Ja'Marr ChaseCincinnati BengalsWR
2020Justin HerbertLos Angeles ChargersQB
2019Kyler MurrayArizona CardinalsQB
2018Saquon BarkleyNew York GiantsRB
2017Alvin KamaraNew Orleans SaintsRB
2016Dak PrescottDallas CowboysQB
2015Todd GurleySt. Louis Rams*RB
2014Odell Beckham Jr.New York GiantsWR
2013Eddie LacyGreen Bay PackersRB

*now the Los Angeles Rams.

It’s always fun to look back on rookie honors. With hindsight, we know these athletes are still some of the best players in their given positions.

The variety of each winner’s role helps us understand that OROY is less constricted to year-over-year trends, with no specialization winning the award more than two years in a row – futures for this award remain anyone's game.

Interestingly, the NFC is a favorite destination of talented offensive players, contributing 7 of the last ten winners.

NFL Teams with the Most Offensive Rookie of the Year Winners

NFL Teams with the most OROY awards
TeamAwards WonMost Recent OROY Winner
Minnesota Vikings5WR - Percy Harvin (2009)
Dallas Cowboys4QB - Dak Prescott (2016)
Los Angeles Rams4RB - Todd Gurley (2015)
Detroit Lions4RB - Barry Sanders (1989)
New England Patriots3RB - Curtis Martin (1995)
Tennessee Titans3QB - Vince Young (2006)
Cincinnati Bengals3WR - Ja'Marr Chase (2021)
New Orleans Saints3RB - Alvin Kamara (2017)
Pittsburgh Steelers3QB - Ben Roethlisberger (2004)
Arizona Cardinals3QB - Kyler Murray (2019)

With a stellar collection of rookie talent, the Vikings lead all teams in OROY awards. The competition is tight, though – with recent victories for the Rams and Cowboys pushing them into a tie for second, the development of rookies within these organizations is worth watching.

Whether it be a lack of offensive talent out of the draft or due to their particular systems, the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks have never seen an OROY awarded for their squad.

Schools that produced the most Offensive Rookie of the Year Winners

The NCAA is well known for exciting offensive performances, and the spotlight for OROY candidates usually shines brightest on those who demonstrated elite skill in college ball. These schools have been some of the best at producing the brightest young offenses in the game.

Schools that produced the Most OROY Winners
SchoolConferenceAmount of OROY WinnersMost Recent OROY Winner
Miami (FL)ACC5Clinton Portis (2002)
OklahomaBig 125Kyler Murray (2019)
FloridaSEC (East)3Percy Harvin (2009)
Ohio StateBig 10 (East)3Eddie George (1996)
LSUSEC (West)2Ja'Marr Chase (2021)
Penn StateBig 10 (East)2Saquon Barkley (2018)
AlabamaSEC (West)2Eddie Lacy (2013)
TennesseeSEC (East)2Carl Pickens (1992)
AuburnSEC (West)2Cam Newton (2011)
Boston CollegeACC2Matt Ryan (2008)
TexasBig 122Vince Young (2006)
Florida StateACC2Anquan Boldin (2003)
PittsburghACC2Curtis Martin (1995)
San Diego StateMountain West2Marshall Faulk (1994)
USCPAC 122Marcus Allen (1982)

By conference, the SEC and ACC are tied at 11 future OROYs each, thanks to Miami’s staggering five honourees. Oklahoma and the rest of the Big 12 are nothing to sniff at either, coming in second with seven total winners.

Offensive Rookie of the Year Betting Trends and Notes

Over time, we’ve identified some similarities between OROY winners. These findings can help you analyze the current odds and predict next year’s winner. Although there isn’t an exact formula for what constitutes an award-winning season, here are a few helpful tidbits and fun facts to help you make a bet.

  • Seven of the previous ten winners were selected in the first round – the most recent five were all drafted in the first ten overall.
  • In 2004, Ben Roethlisberger became the first quarterback to receive the award. Nine more QBs have been named OROY since, but only two (Justin Herbert / Kyler Murray) have won in the past ten years.
  • Ja’Marr Chase went all the way to the Super Bowl in his OROY season, losing 23-20 to the Rams.
  • Out of the previous ten winners, Kyler Murray and Saquon Barkley were the only favorites, before the start of the season, to win OROY.

2023 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year Odds

Odds To Win Defensive Rookie of the Year
PlayerOdds
Jalen Carter-130
Will Anderson+115
Kobie Turner+700

I'll admit, this market tightened up a lot more than I thought it would. But, I think Jalen Carter's hot start to the season should still carry him to the DROY Award.

In his first 10 NFL games, Carter racked up 4.0 sacks, 27 tackles, and two forced fumbles. He slowed down a bit at the end of the year (like most of the Eagles), but no other rookie stepped up to clearly overtake him.

Best Bet: Jalen Carter (-130)

Last 10 Defensive Rookie of the Year Winners

Last 10 DROY Winners
YearPlayerTeamPosition
2022Sauce GardnerNew York JetsCB
2021Micah ParsonsDallas CowboysLB
2020Chase YoungWashington Football Team*DL
2019Nick BosaSan Francisco 49ersDE
2018Shaquille LeonardIndianapolis ColtsLB
2017Marshon LattimoreNew Orleans SaintsCB
2016Joey BosaSan Diego Chargers*DE
2015Marcus PetersKansas City ChiefsCB
2014Aaron DonaldSt. Louis Rams*DT
2013Sheldon RichardsonNew York JetsDT

*now the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Charges and St. Louis Rams, respectively.

You’ll probably recognize every name on this list - they’re still making problems for offenses across the league. These players joined their squad’s defense and immediately gave it a level up, contributing monstrous sacks, stunning interceptions, and shutdown coverage across the field.

Aaron Donald and Nick Bosa went on to win Defensive Player of the Year only a few years after receiving this honor, and our friends at the top of the list don’t seem a long way off from repeating the same feat.

In terms of conferences, the AFC and NFC contribute five players each to the DROY list.

NFL Teams with the Most Defensive Rookie of the Year Winners

NFL Teams with the most DROY awards
TeamAwards WonMost Recent DROY Winner
New York Jets5CB - Sauce Gardner (2022)
Kansas City Chiefs4CB - Marcus Peters (2015)
San Francisco 49ers4DE - Nick Bosa (2019)
Los Angeles Chargers3DE - Joey Bosa (2016)
Indianapolis Colts3LB - Shaquille Leonard (2018)
Pittsburgh Steelers3LB - Kendrell Bell (2001)
Detroit Lions3DT - Ndamukong Suh (2010)
Chicago Bears3LB - Brian Urlacher (2000)

The Jets’ defense has always seemed to be a bright spot for them, and judging by their track record within the award, that’ll only continue.

The six teams who haven’t had a DROY on their roster is the smallest group of non-winners out of every NFL honor – the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers represent 18.75% of the NFL that is still searching for a defensive rookie award.

Schools that produced the most Defensive Rookie of the Year Winners

For young defenders heading into the NFL, it’s trial by fire. It only becomes more challenging to stand out when you start considering league veterans' size, speed, and skill differences. 

That’s what makes these colleges so unique –  their ability to prep their defense with the confidence and playmaking ability to succeed at the next level.

Schools that produced the Most DROY Winners
SchoolConferenceAmount of DROY WinnersMost Recent DROY Winner
Ohio StateBig 10 (East)4Chase Young (2020)
USCPAC 124Brian Cushing (2009)
Arizona StatePAC 123Terrell Suggs (2003)
North CarolinaACC3Lawrence Taylor (1981)
Jackson StateSWAC East2Robert Brazile (1975)
AlabamaSEC (West)2DeMeco Ryans (2006)
Ole MissSEC (West)2Patrick Willis (2007)
TennesseeSEC (East)2Jerod Mayo (2008)
NebraskaBig 10 (West)2Ndamukong Suh (2010)
MissouriSEC (East)2Sheldon Richardson (2013)
PittsburghACC2Aaron Donald (2014)

Conference by conference, the SEC leads the charge with eight future award winners, divided between four schools. The PAC 12 follows with 7, and the Big 10 with 6.

Defensive Rookie of the Year Betting Trends and Notes

Over time, we’ve identified a few similarities between DROY winners. These findings can help you analyze the current odds and predict next year’s winner. Although there isn’t an exact formula for what constitutes an award-winning season, here are a few helpful tidbits and fun facts to help you make a bet.

  • 16/19 of the previous winners (84.2%) were drafted in the first round.
  • Linebackers make up 27 of the 57 previous DROY winners, followed by defensive ends at 12.
  • Out of the previous ten winners, Chase Young and Micah Parsons were the only favorites to win DROY before the start of the season.
  • Four of the previous seven winners played for Ohio State in the NCAA – Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, Chase Young and Marshon Lattimore.
  • It’s been 33 years since a safety has won Defensive Rookie of the Year - Mark Carrier took the prize home in 1990.

What are NFL Player Awards?

The NFL Player Awards are a series of accomplishments given to the top-performing athletes across various individual categories. Most awards are selected by a panel of 50 sportswriters under the Associated Press, a collection of voters who follow the NFL and its athletes year-round.

When are the NFL Awards handed out?

The NFL award ceremony takes place just a few days before the Super Bowl. Held as part of NFL Honors at a private venue, the presentation is attended by players, league officials, and the press. 

Since 2021, the ceremony has been streamed live, moving away from a pre-recorded format. The presentation is hosted by a celebrity host, with the likes of Alec Baldwin, Kelly Clarkson, Steve Harvey, and Seth Meyers leading the event.

How to read NFL Player Awards Futures

Futures are a type of bet that is focused on the long-term outcome of a given result. In this case, NFL Player Awards futures are how a bettor selects who they think will take home a given award.

The name at the top of the list is the betting favorite and generating a ton of buzz around the league, whether that’s because of their previous season’s performance, how they fared in college (for the rookies), or their ongoing efforts to dominate the competition. These are the ‘safest’ options, but they offer the least number of multipliers on your bet.

The odds on these lists will constantly shift during the season, with a performance in a single game being the potential catalyst for change. In some instances, one good or bad game (especially in primetime) can make all the difference.

Keep up to date with NFL news and developing storylines throughout the season to review and bet on your favorite option for each individual award. Lines change all the time, and there are never any guarantees on who can take home a piece of silverware.

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