NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds 2026: Rueben Bain Jr. Leads Pack
The National Football League recognizes the best defensive rookie every year, and you can check the most recent NFL defensive rookie of the year odds on this page.
Every season, a panel of 50 journalists from the Associated Press (AP) votes for a rookie player with the best performance. What’s so great about this is that you can make your own predictions about DROY.
For example, you can do so at bet365, which lists Rueben Bain Jr. (+450) as the favorite in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds for 2026. David Bailey (+500), Caleb Downs (+700), Sonny Styles (+750), and Arvell Reese (+850) round out the top five.
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2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
The 2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year betting odds are available on various betting sites. At the time of writing, bet365 offers the most competitive odds for this market.
Let’s see the current odds for the top 25 candidates:
| Player | NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds (via bet365) |
|---|---|
| Rueben Bain Jr. | +450 |
| David Bailey | +500 |
| Caleb Downs | +700 |
| Sonny Styles | +750 |
| Arvell Reese | +850 |
| Mansoor Delane | +1000 |
| Akheem Mesidor | +1400 |
| Jacob Rodriguez | +1500 |
| Malachi Lawrence | +2500 |
| Dillon Thieneman | +2800 |
| CJ Allen | +3300 |
| Keldric Faulk | +3500 |
| Peter Woods | +4000 |
| T.J. Parker | +4000 |
| Cashius Howell | +4500 |
| Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | +5000 |
| DAngelo Ponds | +5500 |
| Caleb Banks | +6000 |
| Gabe Jacas | +6500 |
| R Mason Thomas | +7000 |
| Anthony Hill Jr. | +7000 |
| Colton Hood | +7000 |
| Chris Johnson | +7000 |
| Jermod McCoy | +7500 |
| Jake Golday | +7500 |
*Odds as of Sept. 1, 2026
Importantly, odds are subject to change and can vary across websites, even for the same sportsbook, as they may be released on different dates. Always check odds before betting.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Betting Favorites
In addition to the 2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, there are other factors to consider when betting on this market. With this in mind, we discuss the top 5 betting favorites based on our detailed analysis of the recent form, draft position, offseason news, and other information.
1. Rueben Bain Jr., (+450)
Bain, often criticized for his arm length, has shown great determination to prove all his critics wrong through hard work and dedication. This player was the No. 15 pick in the draft. And, while also being mocked for not being in the top 10, this edge rusher has a pretty solid pass-rush ability and is expected to perform very well for snaps.
2. David Bailey, (+500)
Bailey was the second overall draft pick, which is amazing. But what’s even greater is that this player was the number one in terms of sacks scored in college football in the previous season.
Joining the New York Jets, who had only 26 sacks as a team, we believe Bailey will be the starter from day one, with a chance to post high totals. This will likely lead him to the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
3. Caleb Downs, (+700)
Downs has outstanding rush-pass skills, and his athleticism is complemented by great instincts. That’s why the Cowboys will probably allow his versatility to shine. Specifically, Downs can circle the defense to make more sacks and tackles, but also achieve many takeaways.
Although safeties win the DROY award very rarely, we believe Caleb has great chances to succeed in this endeavor.
4. Sonny Styles, (+750)
Styles is recognized for his impressive stamina and physique; he’s often considered one of the strongest defensive players in the NFL. With such a great advantage, we think of Styles as one of the main lineup members in the Commanders’ defensive mechanism.
Also, as Sonny steps into Bobby Wagner’s shoes, it’s highly probable that he will shine and earn a spot in the DROY selection.
5. Arvell Reese, (+850)
Reese is among the most versatile. Knowing that Carter and Burns will be rushing the passer, a linebacker position opens for Reese, letting him excel in many fields, including coverage plays and sacks, alongside tackles and TFLs. Although he was a one-year starter for Ohio State, Reese’s talent was spotted, as he was the overall 5th draft pick.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Sleeper Picks
The current NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds also create room for some longshots. This is about predicting the winner among long-odds players who can pull off a surprise and earn this prestigious status.
So, right now, we’re ready to show the top three defensive NFL players currently in the shadow, but who may as well step out of it and stun us all with great games and win the DROY.
1. Dillon Thieneman, (+2800)
Being extremely good at defending air passes and having joined the Bears, Thieneman will probably be part of important games where this and his other skills will come to light.
With DROY NFL odds currently standing at +2800 for Thieneman, a bet on him is one of the most profitable NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year picks, even though he’s a safety.
2. Jacob Rodriguez, (+1500)
Rodriguez is one of the few NFL players to switch from quarterback to middle linebacker. Since he has been dominant in this position, he kind of reminds us of last year’s DROY winner, Schwesinger, who piled up many tackles and was faced with other defenders whose stats weren’t competitive enough.
3. Mansoor Delane, (+1000)
Even though it’s uncommon for a cornerback to be awarded the DROY prize, Delane is a contender to break this notion. Not only that, but he is also a direct substitute for the Chiefs and the 6th overall draft pick. He’ll probably be on the pitch from Day 1, having an opportunity to earn the status of the best defensive rookie.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Prediction
After a careful review of all the best rookie NFL players for 2026, our best bet to win the NFL Defensive Rookie is David Bailey. First, his odds of winning are short (+500). Second, he’s the second draft pick, higher than any other favorite for this award.
Finally, Bailey’s sack record from the previous college season and his predicted starter status with the Jets are what make him stand out from others.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Winners History
Following tradition and comparing winner odds and previous NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year predictions with actual results is both interesting and useful. It’s handy because it can help you better understand DROY and AP voting patterns and predict future outcomes more successfully.
That said, let’s see the last 25 winners of this prize, as well as their opening odds:
| Player | Year | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Carson Schwesinger | 2025 | +2800 |
| Jared Verse | 2024 | +800 to +1100 |
| Will Anderson | 2023 | +400 to +500 |
| Sauce Gardner | 2022 | +800 to +1100 |
| Micah Parsons | 2021 | +500 to+600 |
| Chase Young | 2020 | +200 to +250 |
| Nick Bosa | 2019 | +400 to +500 |
| Shaquille Leonard | 2018 | +3050 |
| Marshon Lattimore | 2017 | +1200 to 1600 |
| Joey Bosa | 2016 | +450 to +600 |
| Marcus Peters | 2015 | +3050 |
| Aaron Donald | 2014 | +900 to +1200 |
| Sheldon Richardson | 2013 | +2000 to +2500 |
| Luke Kuechly | 2012 | +450 to +600 |
| Von Miller | 2011 | +400 to +500 |
| Ndamukong Suh | 2010 | +175 to +200 |
| Brian Cushing | 2009 | +1000 to +1400 |
| Jerod Mayo | 2008 | +800 to +1000 |
| Patrick Willis | 2007 | +600 to +800 |
| DeMeco Ryans | 2006 | +2000 |
| Shawne Merriman | 2005 | +700 to +900 |
| Jonathan Vilma | 2004 | +800 to +1100 |
| Terrel Suggs | 2003 | +500 to +700 |
| Julius Peppers | 2002 | +300 to +450 |
| Kendrell Bell | 2001 | +4000 |
How to Bet on NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds in 2026
To bet on NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds in 2026, you need to learn how to claim a bonus, sign up, deposit funds, find the markets, and create a bet slip.
Since these steps are essential for betting, we cover each one below.
Claim the Welcome Offer
Choose a safe, reputable sportsbook, visit its site, and click the welcome offer banner. You can also open the promo section and find the bonus for new bettors. Once you tap it, a registration window opens, prompting you to complete the next step.
Sign Up
To create an account, fill out the sign-up form with the required details, including your full name, physical address, date of birth, SSN, mobile number, and email address. You'll also need to create a username and password, then confirm your number or email once you're done.
Make a Deposit
Enter the deposit section, select the funding option, decide how much you want to deposit, and type in the payment information to fund your account. Not long after, the funds should be reflected in your balance, giving you the green light to start betting.
Add Your Wager
Within the sports section, click “NFL” and then choose “Futures”. There, individual player bets will appear, after which you should find the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year market and add it to your bet slip. Mostly, the bet slip menu is shown on the right side of the page.
Create the Bet Slip
After picking the player and adding the selection to your bet slip, determine your stake. And, once you know how much you want to bet, just enter that number in the bottom field of the bet slip menu. Lastly, double-check everything and confirm your slip.
How to Read Odds to Win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
To read odds to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, you need to get the hang of the American odds format and its relation to stakes, profits, and winnings.
An easy-to-understand example is imagining you place a bet on Rueben Bain Jr. at short +450 odds. If you stake $100 and your wager wins, you’ll receive $450 plus $100 (your stake), which is $550 in total.
However, if you prefer longer odds, you can pick, let's say, Dillon Thieneman. The odds for him to win the prize are +2800, meaning you'll get $2,800 if your $100 bet wins, plus the $100 stake, totaling $2,900.
Interestingly, you can follow the same odds-reading principle for NFL MVP odds and Super Bowl odds.
Where to Bet on Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
You can bet on Defensive Rookie of the Year odds at all legal online sportsbooks before or during the 2026-27 season. For instance, you can pick from one of the best NFL betting sites, including bet365, DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel.
There are also numerous NFL betting apps available on the official iOS and Android app stores. Let’s not forget that the aforementioned sites and apps also offer generous NFL betting promos that you can redeem right after opening an account.
If you want to see the full list of these sportsbooks, go ahead and click the banner below.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win - Wide coverage of US and international sports
- Linked to MGM Rewards loyalty program
- Regular odds boosts and promos
New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES - Wide coverage of US and international sports
- High-quality iOS and Android apps
- Very fast withdrawal times
10 x $100 bet match in FanCash - Unique FanCash loyalty program
- Variety of bonuses and ongoing promos
- Fast, reliable app with live betting and streaming
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds FAQ
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