🏈 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Power Rankings 2026: Top 10 DROY Contenders

The 2026 NFL Draft was loaded with defensive difference makers up top, including six that were selected in the top 15 picks, which is why this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year race is shaping up to be among the best in recent memory.

Looking at a combo of team situation, recent award history, and odds, my NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year power rankings ahead of the 2026 season highlight the 10 best bets to win DROY.

📊 2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year power rankings

My top 10 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds contenders.

Honorable mentions: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE (Los Angeles Chargers); Malachi Lawrence, EDGE (Dallas Cowboys); Keldric Faulk, DL (Tennessee Titans); Josiah Trotter, LB (Tampa Bay Buccaneers); Dillon Thieneman, SAF (Chicago Bears)

💰 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Best bets & longshots

Best bet: Arvell Reese, Giants (+750)

• Prospect profile: 6'4" | 241 lbs | 20 years old | RAS: N/A
• 2025 college stats: 69 tackles, 10 TFLs, 6.5 sacks
• Pro comparison: More raw Micah Parsons/smaller Willie McGinest

When I broke down my NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year best bets after Round 1, I pointed out that the best approach to betting on DROY is targeting first-round pass rushers. Edge players taken in the first round have won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in six of the last 10 years, and all six were selected in the top 19 picks of their respective draft classes.

This year, David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr., and Arvell Reese fit that description ... so why Reese over the other two? Well, not only was the All-American my No. 1 prospect in the class, but he also joins a New York Giants defense with a loaded front seven that should allow defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to deploy Reese as a chess piece.

Reese can rush the passer off the edge, blitz the A-gap from depth, spy QBs, and even hold up in coverage. That's what made him so special while playing the Joker position on Matt Patricia's defense last season. And he shouldn't be priced longer than Bailey and Bain.

Though Reese didn't have the counting stats of Bailey or Bain in 2025, he also had far fewer pass-rush opportunities, but he was more productive when he was let loose to hunt QBs. Reese averaged 0.23 pressures per pass rush, more than Bailey (0.21) and Bain (0.15).

Best longer shot: Jacob Rodriguez, Dolphins (+2500)

• Prospect profile: 6'1" | 231 lbs | 23 years old | RAS: 9.61
• 2025 college stats: 128 tackles, 11 TFLs, 7 FF, 4 INTs
• Pro comparison: Matt Milano

Since 2002, only three non-first-round picks have won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year ... and all three were off-ball linebackers selected in the second round (Carson Schwesinger, Shaquille Leonard, and DeMeco Ryans). All of them were also instantly productive and finished in the top six in the NFL in tackles when they won DROY. This year's best bet to do that is Jacob Rodriguez.

The All-American, who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting at Texas Tech, was always around the football for the Red Raiders. Whether it was peanut-punching the ball out of a running back's hands or reading the eyes of an opposing QB for a timely interception, Rodriguez was a ball magnet in college.

A former QB turned walk-on linebacker, Rodriguez's instincts, athleticism, and effort helped him turn into one of the best all-around defenders in the country this past season. He was fifth nationally in run stops (43) and first in coverage stops (27) - and his coverage chops were on full display at the Senior Bowl.

Rodriguez is a culture-changing player for new Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, and he should see playing time early on, beside Jordyn Brooks. He's the best bet to win DROY among players with longer than +2000 odds.

The Hail Mary: Chris Johnson, Dolphins (+5000)

• Prospect profile: 6'0" | 193 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: 9.84
• 2025 college stats: 49 tackles, 4 INTs, 9 passes defensed
• Pro comparison: Jaire Alexander

Thanks to the six defenders who went in the first 15 picks being the clear favorites, there are several first-round picks with longer than +2000 odds to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but none is a better bet than Chris Johnson.

An All-American at San Diego State, Johnson was a steal for the Dolphins with the 27th pick and should immediately compete to be Hafley's No. 1 cornerback. He was viewed as one of the "safest" prospects in the draft, thanks to his technically sound game, which includes arguably the best footwork in the class, elite coverage instincts, and top-notch ball skills.

While Johnson rarely gives up big plays, he frequently produces them with his route recognition and ability to anticipate quarterbacks. He managed two pick-sixes this past season for the Aztecs and only allowed a 16.1 QB rating when targeted (he gave up just 18 catches total and zero touchdowns).

Johnson is going to play a lot as a rookie, and if he can make splashy plays and solidify himself as Miami's top corner early, he'll be in the DROY race. Cornerbacks have won the award in three of the last 11 seasons.