The Key Contenders for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award

| News | 10/30/2024

The top offensive players typically dominate the headlines in the NFL, but the elite defensive players which are arguably harder to come by deserve just as much acknowledgement.

The Defensive Player of the Year award has been given to the most outstanding player in that respect since 1971. The top quarterbacks and receivers will receive the most plaudits throughout the season, but once the initial 17-game stretch is over, the prestigious award will serve as a celebration of the league’s best defender.

Here we will look at some of the key candidates to claim the award following the culmination of the 2024 regular season.

Trent Jordan Watt

Trent Jordan Watt is perhaps the most outstanding candidate at this early stage of the NFL season. The linebacker has enjoyed a remarkable start to the season, as across the opening eight games he recorded six and a half sacks, 24 tackles and four forced fumbles.

Watt’s performances have been crucial in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ push to become a playoff expectant. In NFL odds, the Steelers are currently offered at 1/5 to qualify for the playoffs. However, they are not expected to make waves from that point, as in a Super Bowl bet they are 25/1 massive outsiders to be crowned champions.

Watt’s level of defensive solidity is a trait that is usually only present in the linebackers and defensive ends of the leading NFL teams. It is remarkable that his individual impact is likely to be enough to lead a fairly average Steelers team to the play-offs, although it would be a surprise if they go far in the post-season period, despite the unrivalled security he provides at the back.

If TJ Watt maintains his form for the remainder of the regular season, then the DPOTY award will undoubtedly be his for a second time.

Chris Jones

Chris Jones is much more of a typical candidate for the Defensive Player award. He plays for one of the teams expected to compete for the ultimate NFL glory this season, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jones managed to record three sacks, seven tackles and one forced fumble across the Chief’s seven-game run. His statistics are incredibly impressive, yet don’t compare to Watt’s level of activeness on the defensive end at all.

What could help Jones in his pursuit to be crowned the leading defender in the league is that he plays for one of the top contending teams. Voters could certainly be influenced by the fact that Jones is the leading defender on the team that are 4/1 Super Bowl favourites this season.

Dexter Lawrence

Dexter Lawrence plays for one of the weakest teams in the league, the New York Giants, yet individually he has been incredible in the opening months of the season. His nine sacks and 19 tackles over the eight opening fixtures showcase a level of output that can rival even Watt’s exceptional start to the season.

It would be a surprise if he is to earn the DPOTY award, as while he has been one of the leading defenders, he has been overshadowed by Watt so far. Lawrence’s top defensive efforts are also likely to count for little as the Giants will surely not make the playoffs, and this will be a factor in voters’ minds.

Ultimately, TJ Watt’s spectacular start to the NFL season has made him a clear frontrunner to be crowned the Defensive Player of the Year Award winner by the Associated Press. However, Jones and Lawrence are in with a chance of claiming the honour, if his form is to fall significantly before the end of the regular season.

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