When looking to place a bet on the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year market, it’s important to consider the type of situation these rookies are walking into. The last five NFL DROY winners all benefitted from situations in which they weren’t asked to “be the man” in every single game right away.
Last season’s winner, Browns LB Carson Schwesinger, was able to rack up huge numbers considering most opposing defenses were often double-teaming, or triple-teaming Myles Garrett.
The year prior, Rams LB Jared Verse benefitted from the emergence of fellow rookie Braden Fiske (DT) and new defensive coordinator Chris Shula put Verse in the perfect spot to shine. Fiske (8.5 sacks) actually had nearly double the amount of sacks as Verse (4.5 sacks) in 2024, but Verse got the nod for NFL DROY due to the fact that he placed fourth in the entire NFL (not just rookies) in quarterback pressures. The Rams were also on national TV a lot during the 2024 season, due to their status as a title contender.
Here are the other recent winners who played with circumstances that greatly benefited their chance at winning the award.
- Will Anderson Jr. (2023): DeMeco Ryans was hired as head coach of the Texans in 2023 and his first pick was Anderson at No. 3 overall. Opposing teams had to first contend with LB Jonathan Greenard that season (Greenard had a whopping 12.5 sacks that season), allowing Ryans to rack up his own impressive numbers.
- Sauce Gardner (2022): Gardner was drafted to a team with a defensive-minded head coach (Robert Saleh), and with several defensive studs already in place in CJ Mosley and Quinnen Williams.
- Micah Parsons (2021): Parsons also came into a good situation with the Cowboys, as then DC Dan Quinn made Parsons a focal point right away. Parsons also benefited from having strong vets on that team, like Leighton Vander Esch, Jayron Kearse, and Trevon Diggs.
So, here is a look at the current favorites for 2026 NFL DROY, and their situations.
David Bailey (+450)
Bailey will get plenty of run in 2026 under head coach Aaron Glenn, a defensive-minded coach. The Jets still have decent talent in place, like Jowon Briggs, Harrison Phillips, and Jamien Sherwood.
Rueben Bain Jr. (+450)
Bain Jr. also finds himself in a situation with a defense-first coach in Todd Bowles. The Bucs have strong defensive vets like Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith.
Arvell Reese (+750)
The Giants defense is loaded with young talent like Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, and new head coach John Harbaugh is no stranger to leading an elite NFL D.
Here is a look at more NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds at Fanatics:
- David Bailey (+450)
- Rueben Bain Jr. (+450)
- Arvell Reese (+750)
- Caleb Downs (+750)
- Sonny Styles (+750)
- Mansoor Delane (+850)
- Jacob Rodriguez (+1500)
- Akheem Mesidor (+1600)
- CJ Allen (+2000)
- Dillon Thieneman (+2000)
- Malachi Lawrence (+2500)
- Kendrick Faulk (+3000)
