The 2025 NFL Draft class was loaded with defensive stars. Former Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter led the list as the No. 3 pick.
After the Giants secured Carter, Cleveland picked up defensive tackle Mason Graham at No. 5, while the Falcons selected LB Jalon Walker at No. 15.
Two months after the draft, which players are near the top of the oddsboard to be named DROY?
Let’s get into the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 25.
2025-26 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
Abdul Carter, Giants: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)
Jalon Walker, Falcons: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Travis Hunter, Jaguars: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Mike Green, Ravens: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Jihaad Campbell, Eagles: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Mykel Williams, 49ers: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Mason Graham, Browns: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
First on the board is Abdul Carter at +250. Last season, Carter racked up a team-high 12 sacks for the Nittany Lions and led the country with 24 tackles for loss. So it’s no surprise the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is the early betting favorite for DROY.
An edge rusher or linebacker has won the DROY in each of the past 11 seasons, most recently the Rams’ Jared Verse.
Jalon Walker and Travis Hunter are in the running as well, at +1000 and +1200, respectively. Walker’s odds moved to +1000 from +550 over the last two months. The former Georgia Bulldog recorded 61 tackles and 6.5 sacks in his final season for the Dawgs.
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As for Travis Hunter, he is in the running for both DROY and OROY. And the odds say the Heisman winner has a chance to make history by potentially winning both awards.
In this market, though, his line has lengthened slightly to +1200 from +1000 since April.
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