For several years, there were typically two paths to being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year: lead the league in sacks or be the best player on the best defense in the league. In 2018 and 2021, the sack leader took home the award, while in 2019, 2020 and 2022, the award went to a player on the team that allowed the fewest points in the league. We saw something different in 2023, as Myles Garrett took home the award despite T.J. Watt recording five more sacks and playing on a defense that allowed fewer points.

But 2024 somewhat followed old patterns, with Patrick Surtain II seeming to fit in the "best player on best defense" category even if the Broncos only finished third in scoring. Sack leader Trey Hendrickson finished second, and the best player on the second-best scoring defense (Zack Baun) finished fifth behind perennial sack leader contenders Watt and Garrett. Interestingly, the unit that allowed the fewest points all year -- the Los Angeles Chargers -- did not appear once in the list of 24 players to get DPOY votes last year.

Taking all that into account, our Defensive Player of the Year rankings won't be as cut and dried as they've been in the past, where we could just pick from the top sack artists and a few signature players on our top projected defenses. We had Khalil Mack as one of our sleepers last year, expecting the Chargers to get a boost with Jim Harbaugh taking over, but Mack's disappointing six sacks made him a non-factor in the race. 

Let's look at our 10 best betting options for Defensive Player of the Year along with three longshots of +10000 or greater to consider.

So who gets the top spot as the best Defensive Player of the Year bet this season? And which longshots are worth considering? ... Join SportsLine here to see R.J. White's NFL Defensive Player of the Year best bet rankings for 2025!