NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Winner & Opening Odds 2026: Carson Schwesinger Wins
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger closed as the colossal NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds leader and ultimately was named the winner of the award.
We expect the 2026-27 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds to open around the time of the NFL draft (April 23-25). You can see the NFL draft odds for the No. 1 pick for a sense of who could open as the betting favorites in this market.
📊 Closing NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds 2026
Closing NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds via FanDuel Canada
| Player | Odds | Implied Probability | Profit on $10 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Schwesinger | -20000 | 99.50% | $0.05 |
| James Pearce Jr | +2200 | 4.35% | $220 |
| Nick Emmanwori | +3500 | 2.78% | $350.00 |
👀 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year closing odds and splits (BetMGM)
- Most tickets: Abdul Carter 16.6%
- Most money: Abdul Carter 22.7%
- Biggest liability: Carson Schwesinger
- Closing favorite: Carson Schwesinger -700
🏆 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists
Here are the finalists for the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, which will be handed out on Thursday, Feb. 5:
- Abdul Carter
- Nick Emmanwori
- James Pearce Jr.
- Carson Schwesinger
- Xavier Watts
🔢 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year opening odds
Odds via BetMGM.
- Abdul Carter, Giants: +250
- Travis Hunter, Jaguars: +750
- Jalon Walker: +900
- Mykel Williams, 49ers: +1000
- Mike Green, Ravens: +1200
- Shemar Stewart, Bengals: +1500
- Mason Graham, Browns: +1600
- Jihaad Campbell, Eagles: +1800
- James Pearce Jr., Falcons: +1800
- Malaki Starks, Ravens: +2000
- Jahdae Barron, Broncos: +2200
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, Cowboys: +2200
- Walter Nolen, Cardinals: +2500
- J.T. Tuimoloau, Colts: +2500
- Nick Emmanwori, Seahawks: +3000
- Will Johnson, Cardinals: +3000
- Nic Scourton, Panthers: +3500
- Maxwell Hairston, Bills: +3500
- Derrick Harmon, Steelers: +3500
- Kenneth Grant, Dolphins: +4000
- Tyleik Williams, Lions: +4000
💰 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year betting history
| Season | Player | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Carson Schwesinger, LB | Browns | +2800 |
| 2024 | Jared Verse, EDGE | Rams | +800 |
| 2023 | Will Anderson Jr., EDGE | Texans | +400 |
| 2022 | Sauce Gardner, CB | Jets | +1200 |
| 2021 | Micah Parsons, LB | Cowboys | +600 |
| 2020 | Chase Young, EDGE | Washington | +150 |
| 2019 | Nick Bosa, EDGE | 49ers | +700 |
| 2018 | Shaquille Leonard, LB | Colts | +3050 |
| 2017 | Marshon Lattimore, CB | Saints | N/A |
| 2016 | Joey Bosa, EDGE | Chargers | N/A |
| 2015 | Marcus Peters, CB | Chiefs | +3500 |
❓ NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year FAQs
Who was the favorite for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year?
The Cleveland Browns' Carson Schwesinger closed as the heavy betting favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year at -20000. Abdul Carter of the New York Giants opened as the betting favorite.
Who was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last year?
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2025-26 regular season.
Has a team ever had both the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year?
With C.J. Stroud winning OROY and Will Anderson winning DROY for the Houston Texans two years ago, it marked the fourth time in league history that both winners were on the same team.
The previous three times were with the New York Jets in 2022 (Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner), New Orleans Saints in 2017 (Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore), and the Detroit Lions in 1967 (Mel Farr, Lem Barney).
Has a rookie ever won NFL MVP?
Jim Brown is the only rookie to ever win NFL MVP. He won both Offensive Rookie of the Year and MVP in 1957 for the Cleveland Browns after leading the league with 942 rushing yards.
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