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Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse forces a fumble by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as we analyze the 2024-25 Defensive Rookie of the Year odds.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse forces a fumble by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Photo by Kirby Lee via Imagn Images

The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds closed with Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse as a heavy betting favorite, and he won the award at NFL Honors.

Verse, the 19th overall pick of the NFL draft, was the fourth defensive player selected last April. He entered his first NFL campaign with +800 odds of winning this award but quickly emerged as the betting favorite.

The 2025-26 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds will open shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26).

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds 2025

Closing NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds from our best NFL betting sites.

  • Quinyon Mitchell's odds lengthened from +110 to +900 over the last three weeks. However, he's influential in helping the Philadelphia Eagles remain near the top of the Super Bowl odds
  • Verse's odds moved from -400 to -1000 going into Week 18
  • Verse had led since Week 2 and recaptured his favorite status after just one week of being knocked down to second

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds favorite 2024-25

Jared Verse Defensive Rookie of the Year odds (-1000)

Verse is mature and experienced beyond his age. He endured two poor outings in Weeks 12 and 14 before rebounding like an elite, seasoned veteran. He put on a show in Weeks 15 and 16 while reinforcing his status as the prohibitive DROY favorite.

The pass-rusher only played 11 snaps during the Los Angeles Rams' final game of the season, with Sean McVay resting his most influential starters while preparing for the team's wild-card encounter against the Minnesota Vikings. 

His implied win probability increased by over 69% over the last three weeks of the season. It rested at 99.01% when the market closed. 

Defensive Rookie of the Year opening odds 

  • Dallas Turner: +750
  • Laiatu Latu: +750
  • Jared Verse: +900
  • Terrion Arnold: +1200
  • Byron Murphy II: +1500
  • Quinyon Mitchell: +1000
  • Chop Robinson: +2000
  • Cooper DeJean: +1600
  • Nate Wiggins: +2200
  • Kamari Lassiter: +3500

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year betting history

SeasonPlayerTeamPositionPreseason odds
2024Jared VerseRamsEDGE+800
2023Will Anderson Jr.TexansDE+400
2022Sauce GardnerJetsCB+1200
2021Micah ParsonsCowboysLB+600
2020Chase YoungWashingtonDE+150
2019Nick Bosa49ersDE+700
2018Shaquille LeonardColtsLB+3050
2017Marshon LattimoreSaintsCBN/A
2016Joey BosaChargersDEN/A
2015Marcus PetersChiefsCB+3500
2014Aaron DonaldRamsDT+900

How to bet on NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

When betting on NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, find a reputable sportsbook that offers futures bets. Check out the odds for different players; for example, if Dallas Turner is at +500 and Jared Verse is at +800, Turner is favored to win.

Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on Turner at +500 and he wins, you’ll get $600 back ($500 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on how the rookies perform throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.

But remember with odds movement in future markets it's all about performance and perception. If a rookie has a standout game, their odds will improve. Conversely, if they underperform or get injured, their odds will worsen.

Team success can also influence a player's odds; rookies on winning teams might see better odds. Public betting trends are important too - if a lot of people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to manage their risk.

Expert analysis and predictions also play a role, as they can sway public opinion and betting patterns. Understanding these factors can help you make smarter bets and potentially catch favorable odds shifts.

How to read NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds

Reading NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.

For example, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600. Negative odds (e.g., -200) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $200 bet at -200 odds would win you $100, plus your $200 stake, totaling $300.

These odds also reflect the implied probability of a player winning the award. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher likelihood of winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower likelihood. Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like player performance, injuries, team success, and betting patterns.

For example, if Laiatu Latu has +500 odds and Quinyon Mitchell has +800 odds, Latu is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Latu and he wins, you’d get $600 back ($500 profit + $100 stake). Understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions and assess potential returns.

How NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting works

A panel of sportswriters who cover the NFL vote on the individual awards, including NFL Defensive rookie of the Year. There are typically 50 votes available, with the player who receives the largest share of first-place votes deemed the winner.

That winner is then unveiled during the NFL Honors awards ceremony, which is set to take place during Super Bowl week on Feb. 6 at 9 p.m. ET on FOX and NFL Network.

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year FAQs

Who is the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jared Verse closed as the Defensive Rookie of the Year odds favorite at season's end, trading at -1000. Those odds implied a probability of 99.01%.

When will the 2024-25 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year be announced?

The 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year was announced during the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Who was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last year?

Los Angeles Rams EDGE Jared Verse, the No. 19 pick of the NFL draft, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Has a team ever had both the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year?

With C.J. Stroud winning OROY and Will Anderson winning DROY for the Houston Texans last season, it was the fourth time in league history that both winners were on the same team.

The previous three times were with the New York Jets in 2022 (Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner), New Orleans Saints in 2017 (Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore), and the Detroit Lions in 1967 (Mel Farr, Lem Barney).

Has a rookie ever won Defensive Player of the Year? 

Lawrence Taylor is the only rookie to have ever won Defensive Player of the Year. He won it in 1981 with the New York Giants.

NFL betting odds pages

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