The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year race is always one of the most intriguing awards to follow throughout the season. It’s become something of a rarity for the first defensive player drafted to be the one that takes home the prize: Either a second-round pick or a player taken in the teens has won the award in four of the last eight seasons.
That alone tells us that we may need to dig a little deeper to find this year’s winner. The 2026 NFL Draft class is loaded with stellar defensive talent, and that showed early on. Four of the first seven picks were defensive players. Looking outside the top 10, however, may prove to be a more profitable betting strategy.
With that in mind, we’ve split up the early leaders for NFL DROY into three tiers: favorites, sleepers, and longshots. With odds provided by the industry-leading offshore sportsbooks, we’re highlighting the best bets to make in each price range. Offensive Rookie of the Year odds and analysis are also available.
2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
NFL DROY odds are current as of April 28 via BetOnline.
- David Bailey (+350)
- Sonny Styles (+500)
- Arvell Reese (+550)
- Rueben Bain Jr. (+550)
- Caleb Downs (+700)
- Mansoor Delane (+800)
- Akheem Mesidor (+900)
- Malachi Lawrence (+1400)
- Caleb Banks (+2000)
- Keldric Faulk (+2500)
- Dillon Thieneman (+2500)
- Peter Woods (+2800)
- Zion Young (+3300)
- Jermod McCoy (+3300)
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (+3300)
- Avieon Terrell (+3300)
- Colton Hood (+3300)
David Bailey, the first defensive player drafted, is the favorite at +350. He was highly productive in college and should provide an immediate impact for the Jets. Sonny Styles (+500), Arvell Reese (+550), and Mansoor Delane (+800) were also selected inside the top 10.
NFL DROY Favorites for 2026
Oddsmakers strongly suggest that this year’s NFL DROY will be one of these three favorites. The margin is fairly thin between them, so this may come down to personal preference rather than value.
David Bailey, New York Jets (+350)
There was debate around whether the Jets should go with David Bailey or Arvell Reese at No. 2, but ultimately, they went with the more proven prospect. Bailey was an unstoppable force as a senior at Texas Tech in 2025, recording 19.5 tackles for loss and an FBS-best 14.5 sacks over 14 games.
New York will benefit from having such a young, explosive player who can threaten opposing offenses from Week 1. The Jets ranked 31st in defense in 2025 and generated just 26 sacks. Bailey can start right away and immediately put pressure on quarterbacks with his punishing speed and strength.
With defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn in his corner, Bailey looks like a safe bet to excel in his rookie year. If he can carry over some of his elite production, he’ll be a major player in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race all season long.
Sonny Styles, Washington Commanders (+500)
Styles was the third Ohio State product drafted inside the top seven, but don’t take that as a sign that he’s the lesser of the trio. After playing safety as a freshman and sophomore, Styles made the switch to linebacker over his final two seasons and made waves thanks to his coverage skills and backfield pursuits.
In terms of sheer athleticism, there may not be a better prospect in this class. Styles ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, recorded a 43.5-inch vertical and bounded for an 11-foot-2-inch broad jump at the scouting combine, complementing his elite production.
After a down year in 2025, Styles projects as a first-year starter for the Commanders. His versatility means he can make a strong impression whether he’s directing coverages or rushing the quarterback, and that bodes well for his chances of getting the attention of voters.
Arvell Reese, New York Giants (+550)
Another favorite, another former Ohio State standout. Reese went fifth overall to a Giants team undergoing a significant overhaul. New York has a new head coach and a fresh pair of coordinators, and they’re all hoping to turn things around following a 4-13 season in 2025.
The defense was particularly bad – the Giants ranked 26th and were incapable of stopping the run – and that’s where Reese comes in. Despite being a one-year starter for the Buckeyes, he’s proven capable of being a high-impact player from the jump, recording 69 tackles (10 for loss) and 6.5 sacks over 14 games.
John Harbaugh has spoken to Reese’s versatility, claiming that New York will use him at multiple linebacker positions and have him play off the edge. His utility, along with high-level production, could be enough to earn him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
2026 NFL DROY Sleepers to Bet On
If one of the favorites doesn’t win Defensive Rookie of the Year, it may well go to one of our two sleepers. It won’t take much for things to break in favor of these players, and they have the talent to make the most of such an opportunity.
Rueben Bain Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+550)
Off-field concerns didn’t help Bain’s draft stock, but he ultimately ended up going at No. 15 to Tampa Bay. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year was one of college football’s most productive players in 2025, notching 54 tackles (15.5 for loss) and 9.5 sacks over 16 games for the Miami Hurricanes.
What’s noteworthy about Bain’s numbers is that he played his best football once Miami reached the College Football Playoff. Over his final four games – against tip-top competition, mind you – Bain logged 17 tackles (eight for loss) and five sacks.
Bain will be a formidable presence on the outside from Week 1, and the Buccaneers need it. Tampa Bay ranked 20th in defense in 2025, often lacking a complement to sack leader YaYa Diaby.
Caleb Downs, Dallas Cowboys (+700)
Downs has found immense success at every level of his football career. Why should that trend stop now that he’s reached the NFL?
He was a top-15 recruit coming out of high school. He made Second Team AP All-American as a freshman at Alabama. After transferring to Ohio State, he became a two-time First Team AP All-American, won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back, earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was one of two defensive players to receive a Heisman vote in 2025.
Dallas owned the NFL’s worst scoring defense in 2025, and it ranked last in passing yards and net yards gained per passing attempt. Downs has the potential to transform this secondary from the jump and help turn things around for first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Best NFL DROY Longshot Bets
If you’re after a big payout, this is your territory. A few second-round picks have won Defensive Rookie of the Year over the last decade, so there’s good reason to look a little further down the list.
Keldric Faulk, Tennessee Titans (+2500)
After addressing the offense with the No. 4 pick and nabbing potential Offensive Rookie of the Year Carnell Tate, the Titans turned to the other side of the field and snagged Keldric Faulk at No. 31. He’s an ideal fit on the roster and the perfect choice for new head coach Robert Saleh.
Faulk is young for a three-year player in college – he turns 21 in September – but his production speaks for itself. A talented edge rusher, Faulk recorded 74 tackles (16 for loss) and nine sacks over his last two seasons at Auburn. He was a team captain for the Tigers in 2025.
He has a high ceiling that he may not come close to reaching as a rookie, but his character traits and leadership qualities make him a safe bet to spend plenty of time on the field in 2026. He could easily outplay these +2500 odds, even if he doesn’t go on to win the award.
Jermod McCoy, Las Vegas Raiders (+3300)
Undoubtedly a first-round talent – and arguably the best cornerback in his class – McCoy slid all the way to the fourth round due to concerns surrounding his injury history. He missed the entirety of the 2025 season with a torn ACL, and he may need another knee surgery before he makes his NFL debut.
Should McCoy be cleared to play, though, he could quickly outplay his draft position and prove to be one of the biggest steals of the draft. He’s an impressive athlete with all the instincts necessary to be a shutdown corner. Notably, he made Second Team AP All-American as a sophomore at Tennessee.
This bet comes down to how much you trust McCoy’s ability to bounce back from an ACL tear and whether or not you believe he’ll be able to take the field for the majority of the season. Under normal circumstances, his odds may be closer to +500 or +600.
Best NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Bet
No player looks like a safer bet to make an immediate impact than David Bailey. He’s the favorite at +350, but that’s warranted after he led college football with 14.5 sacks in 2025. The Jets need him to bring that fire all season long.
Caleb Downs is my favorite sleeper at +700. He was one of the best defensive backs in the country as a freshman at Alabama, and he only got better in his next two seasons at Ohio State. There’s no reason why he can’t shine as a rookie in this dreadful Cowboys secondary.
Jermod McCoy is also an interesting longshot play at +3300. His injury history is concerning, but if he can leave his knee issues in the past, he could easily be one of the NFL’s most productive rookies.
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