NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Odds, winners, trophy, when is it awarded?

We provide everything you need to know about the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Current NFL superstars Will Anderson Jr., Sauce Gardner, Nick Bosa and Micah Parsons are all former NFL Defensive Rookies of the Year who are still playing in the league.

Who will emerge as the league's best defensive rookie over the 2024 season? We have looked into some of the leading candidates.

2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds

Dallas Turner (MIN)	+400
Laiatu Latu (IND)	+500
Byron Murphy (SEA)	+1000
Jared Verse (LAR)	+1000
Terrion Arnold (DET)	+1000
Quinyon Mitchell (PHI)	+1200
Chop Robinson (MIA)	+1600
Cooper DeJean (PHI)	+2500
Kool-Aid McKinstry (NO)	+2500
Nate Wiggins (BAL)	+2500
Payton Wilson (PIT)	+2500

Dallas Turner, the former Alabama defensive tackle who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 17th overall pick to replace Houston-bound Danielle Hunter, enters the 2024 NFL season as the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Turner had 22.5 sacks in 38 career games at Alabama. His 10 sacks in 2023 were the most in the SEC which led him to be only the third defensive player drafted in 2024, and he will line up with an improved Vikings defensive front that features new additions Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jihad Ward.

Laiatu Latu, the former UCLA defensive lineman who was drafted 15th overall and was the first defensive player drafted, is second in the odds. Latu was retired from football for medical reasons just two years ago.

Latu played 33 career games at UCLA, picking up 24 sacks and 35.5 tackles for a loss. His 21.5 tackles for loss were the most in all of Division I college football in 2023, and his 13 sacks led the Pac-12. Plus, he had two interceptions and two forced fumbles, further proving himself as a defensive playmaker.

Seattle Seahawks DT Byron Murphy II, a product of the Texas Longhorns program, is third in the Defensive Rookie of the Year market. The 300-pound rookie will be charged with improving the Seahawks' run defense, which allowed the second-most yards and third most touchdowns in the NFL last season.

Jared Verse, a former Florida State defensive end drafted 19th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, is fourth in the odds. He had 9.0 sacks in each of his two collegiate seasons and will be partially responsible for replacing the production of eight-time All-Pro Aaron Donald, who retired this offseason.

Tied with Verse at fourth in the market is Terrion Arnold, who was drafted 24th overall by the Detroit Lions from Alabama. Detroit's pass defense was its one weakness in 2023, so a good season from Arnold will be key to the team's NFL Championship hopes after falling in last season's NFC Championship game.

Next in the market is Quinyon Mitchell, the Toledo product who the Philadelphia Eagles drafted 22nd overall. Mitchell broke up 45 passes in three college seasons and had six interceptions, including two pick-sixes as a sophomore.

Further back in the odds at 16/1 or longer are edge rusher Chop Robinson of the Miami Dolphins, defensive back Cooper DeJean of the Philadelphia Eagles, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry of the New Orleans Saints, cornerback Nate Wiggins of the Baltimore Ravens, and linebacker Payton Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Read more: NFL Honors winners, awards, voting results & more

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year past winners

Season	Name	Position	Team
2023	Will Anderson Jr.	DE	Houston Texans
2022	Sauce Gardner	CB	New York Jets
2021	Micah Parsons	OLB	Dallas Cowboys
2020	Chase Young	DE	Washington
2019	Nick Bosa	DE	San Francisco 49ers
2018	Shaquille Leonard	LB	Indianapolis Colts
2017	Marshon Lattimore	CB	New Orleans Saints
2016	Joey Bosa	DE	San Diego Chargers
2015	Marcus Peters	CB	Kansas City Chiefs
2014	Aaron Donald	DT	St. Louis Rams
2013	Sheldon Richardson	DT	New York Jets
2012	Luke Kuechly	MLB	Carolina Panthers
2011	Von Miller	OLB	Denver Broncos
2010	Ndamukong Suh	DT	Detroit Lions
2009	Brian Cushing	MLB	Houston Texans
2008	Jerod Mayo	MLB	New England Patriots
2007	Patrick Willis	MLB	San Frnacisco 49ers
2006	DeMeco Ryans	MLB	Houston Texans
2005	Shawne Merriman	OLB	San Diego Chargers
2004	Jonathan Vilma	MLB	New York Jets
2003	Terrell Suggs	OLB	Baltimore Ravens
2002	Julius Peppers	DE	Carolina Panthers
2001	Kendrell Bell	MLB	Pittsburgh Steelers
2000	Brian Urlacher	MLB	Chicago Bears
1999	Jevon Kearse	DE	Tennessee Titans
1998	Charles Woodson	CB	Oakland Raiders
1997	Peter Boulware	LB	Baltimore Ravens
1996	Simeon Rice	DE	Arizona Cardinals
1995	Hugh Douglas	DE	New York Jets
1994	Tim Bowens	DT	Miami Dolphins
1993	Dana Stubblefield	DT	San Francisco 49ers
1992	Dale Carter	CB	Kansas City Chiefs
1991	Mike Croel	OLB	Denver Broncos
1990	Mark Carrier	S	Chicago Bears
1989	Derrick Thomas	OLB	Kansas City Chiefs
1988	Erik McMillan	S	New York Jets
1987	Shane Conlan	MLB	Buffalo Bills
1986	Leslie O'Neal	DE	San Diego Chargers
1985	Duane Bickett	OLB	Indianapolis Colts
1984	Bill Maas	NT	Kansas City Chiefs
1983	Vernon Maxwell	OLB	Baltimore Ravens
1982	Chip Banks	OLB	Cleveland Browns
1981	Lawrence Taylor	OLB	New York Giants
1980	Al Richardson and Buddy Curry	OLB (both)	Atlanta Falcons (both)
1979	Jim Haslett	MLB	Buffalo Bills
1978	Al Baker	DE	Detroit Lions
1977	AJ Duhe	MLB	Miami Dolphins
1976	Mike Haynes	CB	New England Patriots
1975	Robert Brazile	OLB	Houston Oilers
1974	Jack Lambert	MLB	Pittsburgh Steelers
1973	Wally Chambers	DT	Chicago Bears
1972	Willie Buchanon	CB	Green Bay Packers
1971	Isiah Robertson	LB	Los Angeles Rams
1970	Bruce Taylor	CB	San Francisco 49ers
1969	Joe Greene	DT	Pittsburgh Steelers
1968	Claude Humphrey	DE	Atlanta Falcons
1967	Lem Barney	CB	Detroit Lions

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year trophy

The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year trophy features a bronze NFL logo attached to a small pedestal. It is similar to the trophies awarded for Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Offensive Rookie of the Year.

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year announcement

The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winner is announced at the NFL Honors ceremony, taking place at 9 PM ET on Thursday, February 8.

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting

A panel of 50 sports journalists affiliated with the Associated Press votes on the NFL end-of-season awards, including the Defensive Rookie of the Year. For Offensive Player of the Year, voters rank their first three choices which makes it easier for the AP to calculate second- and third-placed finishers in voting.

Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.