Abdul Carter Favored to Win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025, Graham and Walker Close Behind

• Opening 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds are now live
• EDGE Abdul Carter of Penn State is the early favorite ahead of NFL Draft night
• Below, see the opening NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds for the top-20 favorites

With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, oddsmakers have turned their attention to the new rookie crop. They are posting odds for both Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year. The NFL DROY odds, as they often do, are heavy with edge rushers near the top of the board. This starts with projected #3-overall pick Abdul Carter.

In the table below, see the opening NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds for the top 20 favorites. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on the Saturday before the Super Bowl (Feb. 7, 2026).

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Carter has opened with Defensive Rookie of the Year odds of +400, which equals a 20% implied win probability. Michigan’s Mason Graham and Georgia’s Jalon Walker are tied for second at +600 (14.29% implied win probability) with Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart fourth at +800 (11.11%).

Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson are both listed at +1000 (9.09%), with Hunter uniquely appearing on both offensive (+700) and defensive rookie award boards.

Odds as of 5:15 pm ET on Apr. 24 at BetRivers.

Abdul Carter Opens as DROY Favorite

Abdul Carter is the clear betting favorite for 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, opening at +400 with BetRivers. That gives the Penn State star a 20% chance to take home the award in his first NFL season. Mason Graham and Jalon Walker trail just behind at +600 (14.29% probability).

Carter’s rise to favorite status makes perfect sense after his monster final season at Penn State. The unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year topped the nation with 23.5 tackles for loss. He also racked up 12 sacks in his junior campaign.

Mock drafts now consistently place Carter as the top defensive player in this class, with most projecting him in the top five. The Giants hold the #3 pick and are heavy favorites to land him at -250 odds. Other potential homes include Cleveland at #2 (+205) and New England at #4 (+500).

Carter isn’t shy about his standing either. At the Combine, he flat-out declared, “I feel like I’m the best player in the country and the best player should be picked first.” His production backs up the talk – 39.5 tackles for loss and 23 sacks over three collegiate seasons.

With the draft kicking off tonight, Carter’s elite athleticism, production and versatility have him positioned not just as a top-three pick, but as the clear frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Other Top DROY Contenders

While Carter sits atop the odds board at +400, several other defensive studs have a real shot at the DROY trophy.

Michigan’s Will Johnson (+1000) brings the complete cornerback package with his 6’2″, 202-pound frame and ball-hawking skills. The 2023 CFP Championship Game Defensive MVP shines in both man and zone coverage. His size and tackling ability have him projected as a top-five pick, despite some questions about his change-of-direction.

Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (+600) offers serious versatility and pass-rush juice with an eye-popping 87.2 PFF grade rushing the passer over the last two seasons. At 6’1″ and 243 pounds, teams are still figuring out his best NFL position. He seems undersized on the edge but has shown coverage limitations (58.4 PFF grade). Where he lands on draft night could make or break his DROY chances.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter (+1000) might be the draft’s most fascinating prospect – a true two-way talent at cornerback and receiver. The Heisman winner showed elite ball skills with the Buffaloes. While he wants to play both ways in the pros, most teams are eyeing him primarily at corner with some offensive packages mixed in.

Rounding out the top challengers are Georgia’s Mykel Williams (+1500) and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart (+800). Williams brings rare length and explosiveness at 6’5″/260. Stewart’s stock is soaring after a combine showcase that featured a 40-inch vertical and a blazing 4.59 forty at his size.

Word around the league is that the Packers, this year’s draft hosts, have their eyes on Stewart with the 23rd pick.

In the world of professional football, the race for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award is always highly anticipated. And in 2025, all eyes are on Abdul Carter, a standout rookie linebacker for the New York Giants, who is currently favored to take home the prestigious honor.

Carter, who was selected with the 7th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been turning heads since his college days at Alabama, where he was a dominant force on the field. His combination of speed, strength, and football IQ has made him a force to be reckoned with in the NFL, and he has already made a significant impact on the Giants’ defense.

Through the first half of the season, Carter leads all rookies in tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses and make game-changing plays has not gone unnoticed by fans, coaches, and analysts alike.

While Carter is currently the front-runner for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, he faces stiff competition from two other standout rookies: defensive end Marcus Graham of the Dallas Cowboys and safety Jamal Walker of the Miami Dolphins.

Graham, the 12th overall pick in the draft, has been a dominant force off the edge for the Cowboys, racking up sacks and tackles for loss at an impressive rate. His ability to pressure quarterbacks and disrupt plays in the backfield has been a key factor in the Cowboys’ success on defense this season.

Walker, on the other hand, has been a ball-hawking presence in the Dolphins’ secondary, leading all rookies in interceptions and pass breakups. His ability to read quarterbacks and make plays on the ball has been a game-changer for the Dolphins’ defense, and he has quickly become a fan favorite in Miami.

As the season progresses and the race for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award heats up, all eyes will be on Carter, Graham, and Walker as they continue to make their mark on the NFL. While Carter may be the favorite at this point, anything can happen in football, and it will be exciting to see which rookie ultimately takes home the award at the end of the season.