As the NFL continues with training camp and preseason games, some folks have already been looking forward to the 2021 season and the individual awards that it brings. One of these honors happens to be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, which BetOnline has already released odds for. At +300 odds, the sportsbook is favoring Cleveland Brown defensive end Myles Garrett to be named the league’s top defensive player at the end of the season.
The first overall pick at the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett has done nothing but live up to the hype that initially surrounded him. He’s been getting better with each passing year and is one of the most feared defensive players in the league. Even though he’s only been around for four seasons, Garrett has already been to two Pro Bowls and has received All-Pro honors twice. In other words, it’s not surprising to see him in the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
Garrett is entering the 2021 season coming off of a solid campaign last year. He suited up in 14 games for the Browns, finishing the year with 48 total tackles (10 for loss), 12.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 passes defended. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 89.5 in 2020, which goes to show that he is one of the best defensive players around. In fact, PFF projects the 25-year-old DE to be involved in the DPOY conversation as long as he can stay healthy.
2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Friday, August 13
- Myles Garrett (+300)
- Aaron Donald (+550)
- TJ Watt (+1000)
- Nick Bosa (+1200)
- Joey Bosa (+1800)
- Khalil Mack (+2000)
- Devin White (+2200)
- Derwin James (+2800)
- Bobby Wagner (+3300)
- Bradley Chubb (+3300)
- Darius Leonard (+3300)
- Jalen Ramsey (+3300)
- JJ Watt (+3300)
Complete odds list available at BetOnline.ag.
Donald Looking for Fourth DPOY Award
While Garrett may be the favorite to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, nobody has been more synonymous with the award over the last few seasons than Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (+550). The eight-year veteran is only one of three players in the history of the league to win DPOY three times. What’s even more impressive is that each of the award victories has come within in the last four years. That sort of domination is usually unheard of in today’s sports, which goes to show how special of a player Donald is.
Donald played in each of the Rams’ 16 games last season — his third straight campaign accomplishing that feat — and ended the year with 45 tackles (14 for loss), 13.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and one pass defended. Some of those numbers may have been a step down from what he’s done in the past, however, they were good enough to win him his third NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, as well as being named first-team All-Pro for the sixth straight year. His efforts helped the Rams become one of the top defensive teams in the league. Considering most of Los Angeles’ defense will be back in 2021, look for Donald to continue dominating the opposition en route to more DPOY honors.
TJ Watt NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds
At +1000, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has the third-best odds to win the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. The 26-year-old has only been in the league for four seasons, but that hasn’t stopped him from slowly becoming a household name. He’s been named first-team All-Pro over the past two years and was even the 2020 AFC Defensive Player of the Year.
Watt was an absolute beast in the 2020 NFL season. Missing just one game, he went on to lead the league with 15.0 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. Aside from that, Watt also recorded 53 total tackles, 7 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles and an interception. At 26 years old, it’s safe to say that he might only be approaching his prime right now. If that’s the case, Watt put up even more incredible numbers in 2021, which would go a long way in helping him achieve his first DPOY award.
