New York Jets' rookie David Bailey entered the season as the +450 favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and after six weeks, his odds have gotten even shorter.
But another rookie in New York is surging up the oddsboard and is right on Bailey's heels.
Let's check out the latest DROY oddsboard at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Oct. 28.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated. This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
What To Know: Bailey was a unanimous All-American at Texas Tech last season, recording a Division I-best 14.5 sacks and a Big 12-best 19.5 tackles for loss. Through seven weeks of his NFL career, he’s showing why he was the No. 2 overall pick. His 5.5 sacks lead the Jets and all NFL rookies, tying him for fifth leaguewide. His 26 quarterback pressures also lead all rookies and is tied for 13th in the NFL, while he’s tied for the league lead in forced fumbles.
What To Know: Arvell Reese was drafted with the fifth pick in the 2026 NFL draft, and so far, he's living up to the expectations. Through seven weeks, Reece is second in the NFL in solo tackles with 39 and leads the entire Giants defense in total tackles as a rookie. Between him and Bailey, both New York teams seemed to have drafted a future defensive star this past spring.
What To Know: Jacob Rodriguez was the favorite on the oddsboard after Week 3 but now, after seven weeks, he's third on the board and down to +600. One of his best games so far came against the Vikings in Week 4. In that game, he recorded 18 total tackles (nine solo, nine assists). The Dolphins' second-round pick has emerged as an unexpected contender for the award. Rodriguez is second in the NFL with 10.17 tackles per game, totaling 61 combined tackles (26 solo, 35 assists) in six games. His 57 tackles is second amongst all rookies and ranks eighth in the NFL. If Rodriguez wins, he would become the second consecutive DROY selected outside the first round and just the fifth since 2000.
What To Know: Three Ohio State Buckeyes were selected in the first seven picks, including linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7. Styles made his presence felt right away, recording four tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and a quarterback hit in his NFL debut against the Eagles. But the highlight came when he bulldozed Saquon Barkley on his way to his first career sack. Styles is coming off back-to-back 13 tackle games in Weeks 5 and 6. His versatility continues to be on full display as he has 46 tackles, four passes defensed, three TFLs, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, and two QB hits through six games.
