In the ever-evolving world of NFL defense, Myles Garrett stands tall as the reigning champion, having claimed the league’s top defensive prize. However, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year odds are shaping up to be quite competitive, with a new crop of pass rushers vying for the coveted title. One such contender is Micah Parsons, the dynamic defensive force for the Dallas Cowboys.
Parsons burst onto the scene in 2021 and has been making waves ever since. With a Defensive Rookie of the Year Award already under his belt, the star pass rusher is now setting his sights on the bigger prize – Defensive Player of the Year honors for the 2024-25 season. According to the latest NFL odds, Parsons has been identified as one of the early favorites to capture the prestigious award.
The Dallas Cowboys standout made a significant impact on his team’s defense last season, racking up an impressive 16 sacks and boasting a stellar pass-rushing grade of 93.7, as reported by Pro Football Focus. Parsons’ disruptive presence on the field has not gone unnoticed, and he is primed to continue his dominance in the upcoming season.
T.J. Watt, the 2021 DPOY winner, has also emerged as a strong contender for the award once again. Despite battling injuries in the following year, the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end put up impressive numbers, leading the league in sacks in 2023 with a total of 19, along with four forced fumbles. Watt’s relentless pursuit of the quarterback and impact on the Steelers’ defense make him a force to be reckoned with in the race for Defensive Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers has been making his own case for the prestigious award. The star defensive end, who claimed the DPOY title in 2022, continued to wreak havoc in the trenches in the 2023 season, tallying 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. Bosa’s contributions were instrumental in the 49ers’ strong defensive performance, as they held opponents to an average of just 17.5 points per game, ranking third in the NFL.
As the countdown to the 2024 season begins, the discussion around the Defensive Player of the Year award heats up. It’s worth noting that since the award’s inception in 1974, only seven defensive players have won it multiple times, and no defensive back has achieved this feat. The odds board for DPOY is stacked with pass rushers, reflecting the trend of recent winners totaling at least 11 sacks.
While team success often plays a role in determining the NFL MVP Award recipient, the same may not hold true for the Defensive Player of the Year accolade. In fact, four of the last nine DPOY winners hailed from defenses outside the Top 10 rankings. The unpredictability of the award adds to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming season.
Looking back at the history of the NFL DPOY winners since 2000, linebackers have traditionally dominated the honor. However, in recent years, defensive tackles have made a strong push, with three of the last seven DPOY awards going to players in that position, thanks in part to the dominant play of Aaron Donald.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on the standout defensive players who are poised to make their mark and stake their claim for the coveted title of Defensive Player of the Year. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the NFL season unfolds.
(Odds as of 7-29-2024.)
