The NFL is buzzing about the talented crop of college players entering the league, and all the best sportsbooks featured at OddsTrader have begun offering their 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. Below, we will reveal the consensus top 10 defensive rookie candidates and give our analysis on the major contenders for the title.
2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Abdul Carter (LB – Giants) | +250 |
| Jalon Walker (LB – Falcons) | +700 |
| Travis Hunter (CB – Jaguars) | +1000 |
| Mykel Williams (DE – 49ers) | +1000 |
| Mason Graham (DT – Browns) | +1200 |
| Mike Green (LB – Ravens) | +1400 |
| Jihaad Campbell (LB – Eagles) | +1400 |
| Walter Nolen (DT – Cardinals) | +1600 |
| James Pearce (LB – Falcons) | +1700 |
| Shemar Stewart (DE – Bengals) | +1700 |
*All odds from Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review)
NFL DROY: Players to Watch
Abdul Carter (+250)
Last year, Rams’ linebacker Jared Verse was named the DROY, and three seasons before him, it was Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons who took home the hardware. Both Parsons and Verse were first-round selections, and so too is Abdul Carter, chosen higher than both at No. 3 overall in April’s NFL Draft.
The Giants needed help just about everywhere after a disastrous 3-14 campaign, but they decided to shore up their defensive front with Penn State’s Abdul Carter.
Ironically, the Giants’ pass rush was probably the least of their issues. However, Carter was the best available athlete, and Big Blue didn’t think twice about tapping the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Carter has all the tools to cop the DROY Award, and with others on the New York line like defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (9 sacks in 2024), he could cruise to this award.
Travis Hunter (+1000)
In case you think you’re seeing double, Caesars also installed Travis Hunter at odds of +1000 to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Jaguars selected last year’s Heisman Trophy Award winner because he is one of those rare breeds who can play both ways and do it at an elite level. The question is, will he get enough playing time on the defensive side of the ball, considering Jacksonville considers him a wideout first and a cornerback second?
Hunter is extremely talented, but if I’m betting on him at +1000 to win one of the two Rookie of the Year awards, it will be offense before defense.
Shemar Stewart (+1700)
The old gambling axiom remains that there is no value in losing. Yet, when we see odds that we perceive to be higher than they should be, then it’s usually a good idea to pull the trigger. Such is the case with Bengals’ linebacker Shemar Stewart.
The Texas A&M defensive end was selected at 17th overall, but his protracted holdout earned him not-so-flattering social media attention, especially with Bengals fans. However, he did ultimately sign a contract, and he is expected to be ready to rock when Week 1 arrives.
Stewart is chiseled from granite, has rare athleticism, and is explosive off the snap.
However, he needs to be coached up to maximize his natural gifts. Stewart appears to be a boom-or-bust player, as his meager 4.5 career college sacks attest that he doesn’t finish as completely as he starts.
Yet, if he listens and learns, he could be a clear DROY winner.
Start a New Sportsbook Account
The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds are already up, and if you want to take a plunge on any of my selections above, like Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, or Shemar Stewart, then get down now. But remember, the lines on these players don’t stay stagnant forever. Odds, point spreads, and totals are dynamic, which means the moneylines and point spreads you see right now may not be around by gametime.
Therefore, it is important that you get the sharpest line available, and the only way to do that is to get down immediately on the games and make sure you have an active account.
That’s right, make certain your account is funded, and perhaps get accounts at two or more sportsbooks so you can compare the numbers. Make sure to get down at a place you trust and at the best lines or odds available.
Include OddsTrader Turbo as One of Your Betting Tools
Stop guessing and start winning with OddsTrader Turbo. This is like having a personal assistant, available 24/7, for only a little money each month. Harness the power of artificial intelligence and let OddsTrader Turbo do all the heavy lifting.
Below are just a few features:
- 5-star picks with a 73% accuracy rating
- Exclusive BetStation chatbot for expert advice, betting tips, and AI-powered insight
- Sportsbook syncing to keep track of all your bets across all your sportsbook accounts in one place
- Game alerts
- Real-time line movement updates
It’s all right here at OddsTrader. If you try it once, you’ll never gamble without it!
*21+ Seek help with a gambling addiction at 1-800-Gambler
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
