As the 2022 NFL season nears the kickoff of Week 1, the BetFTW crew is offering up our best outright bets for the new year. Here you’ll find picks and analysis for the top awards handed out at the end of each campaign. You can find our MVP, Coach of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year picks here. Let’s talk about who will be crowned the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year.
J.J. Watt has three DPOY awards to his name. His brother T.J. is looking to join him as the fourth player to win two in a row. Unfortunately, this year’s field is as stacked as ever.
Here’s who our staff thinks has the best chance to win.
All odds via Tipico
Aaron Donald (+650)
Blake Schuster: He’s the best defensive player on the planet until proven otherwise and it certainly doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down at all.
Robert Zeglinski: Donald makes it four DPOY awards this February – surpassing Reggie White and J.J. Watt for the most all-time. That ledger speaks for itself.
Cole Huff: He’s Aaron Donald. Does this really need an explanation? Expect DPOY Award No. 4.
Myles Garrett (+600)
Prince J. Grimes: Garrett just seems to get better every season, and this year will be his best yet. Plus, have you seen the size of his arms?
Charles Curtis: Prince has the right idea here.
T.J. Watt (+750)
Caroline Darney: Watt finally broke through in 2021, winning DPOY after yet another incredible season. Last season, Watt set a new single-season sack record with 22.5, despite missing two full games and parts of three others. I think it’s a three-man race between Donald, Garrett, and Watt, and since my guy T.J. hadn’t been mentioned…I’m here to do just that.
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