Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11). Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports

NFL futures: A look at the Defensive Player of the Year market

By Griffin Carroll | Last updated 9/26/23

Three weeks into the 2023 season, players are beginning to showcase their roles and pile up statistics, offering us a nice opportunity to take stock of the strongest efforts and futures bets to consider for some of the individual awards offered.

Defensive Player of the Year market: Odds and players to monitor

The favorite: Micah Parsons (+210 FD)

Micah Parsons is the leader of one of the NFL's best defenses, and after being the runner up for two straight seasons, it's easy to understand why he's sitting here as the favorite. Parsons is your quintessial example of a player that many felt got snubbed last year and because of that, will be rewarded a year later for his full body of work.

Parsons has 4.0 sacks, tied for fourth-most in the NFL, and has added on five tackles for loss (tied for second-most) and a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

With Trevon Diggs out, Parsons needs to step up for the rest of the year, and if he continues to make plays in what is expected to be a playoff season for Dallas, he seems likely to finally be recognized for his All-World talent.

The name to keep an eye on: TJ Watt (+380 FD)

This isn't a groundbreaking take, but don't forget about Pittsburgh's TJ Watt in this market. We already discussed Micah Parsons, but through three weeks, Watt's statistics are more impressive and are a big reason for the Steelers' 2-1 start.

Watt already has piled up 6.0 sacks, the most in the NFL, and he's leading the league in forced fumbles (two) and fumble recoveries (two). He's deflected two passes and scored a touchdown and is truly doing it all for Pittsburgh in the first month of the season.

Watt won DPOY in 2021 and if he can stay healthy, seems well on his way to another 20+ sack campaign. If he gets there, he seems likely to win this award.

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