Myles Garrett doesn't sneak up on anybody anymore, and that's exactly why he sits atop the list of NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates for 2026 as the season grinds toward its final stretch.
- Myles Garrett is the safest bet among NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates for 2026 off pure pass-rush pressure.
- T.J. Watt is the resume play — the most complete pressure-and-run defender in the field year after year.
- Pat Surtain II, the reigning 2024 AP Defensive Player of the Year, is the top coverage-first name in the 2026 race.
- Aidan Hutchinson is the breakout candidate if Detroit's defensive front stays healthy through 2026.
- Maxx Crosby is the long-shot value pick for bettors who want a bigger number on a DPOY future.
Why this matters
Voters for NFL Defensive Player of the Year lean heavily on box-score pressure — sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles — which is why edge rushers have dominated the award for two decades. That bias shapes every ballot in 2026, and it's why a cornerback like Pat Surtain II winning in 2024 counted as a genuine upset in how the media panel usually votes.
Team record matters too. A defender on a losing team can put up gaudy numbers and still finish third on the ballot because voters want a winning narrative attached to the trophy. Every name below carries that tension into the 2026 stretch run, and it's worth checking how NFL edge rusher free agents might reshape next year's field before locking in a pick.
What makes the best NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate
- Pressure production — sacks, quarterback hits, and tackles for loss that show up on Sunday and in the box score
- Team record — voters gravitate toward defenders anchoring a playoff-caliber unit
- Versatility — the ability to affect the run game and the pass game, not just one
- National visibility — prime-time snaps and marquee matchups keep a name in front of voters
- Health and availability — missing four or more games sinks a case no matter the per-game rate
- Narrative fit — a redemption arc, a breakout year, or a repeat bid all carry weight with the panel
NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates for 2026 — at a glance
| Candidate | Position / Team | Best For | Standout Trait | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myles Garrett | Edge, Cleveland Browns | Most complete pass rusher | Wins one-on-one reps against any tackle in the league | Cleveland's win total drags on the narrative |
| T.J. Watt | Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers | Longest résumé argument | Disruptive against the run and the pass every season | Repeat-winner fatigue among voters |
| Pat Surtain II | Cornerback, Denver Broncos | Coverage-first candidate | Erases a top receiver on an island | Corners rarely crack the top of DPOY ballots |
| Aidan Hutchinson | Edge, Detroit Lions | Breakout-year narrative | Ascending production on a contending roster | Smaller sample of elite seasons to point to |
| Nick Bosa | Edge, San Francisco 49ers | Health-restored comeback story | Elite get-off when he's on the field | Injury history keeps voters cautious |
| Maxx Crosby | Edge, Las Vegas Raiders | Value pick for bettors | Constant double-team magnet who still produces | Raiders' record works against a winning narrative |
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1. Myles Garrett: best NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate for pure pass-rush dominance
Garrett has been the most consistent pressure player in the league since Cleveland made him the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, and 2026 hasn't changed that pattern. He wins with a first-step burst that forces tackles into bad sets, then finishes with a closing speed that few edge rushers in this field can match.
Myles Garrett pros:
- Wins reps against elite tackles, not just backups
- Draws consistent double-team attention, which frees up the rest of Cleveland's front
- Stays available — durability has rarely been a question
Myles Garrett cons:
- Cleveland's overall record can undercut a voter narrative built on team success
- Ballot fatigue is real for a player who's been a finalist before
Best for: bettors and fans who want the safest favorite in the field. Verdict: Buy.
2. T.J. Watt: best candidate for the longest résumé argument
Watt's case in 2026 isn't about a single highlight reel — it's about a decade of doing the same disruptive job snap after snap. He sets the edge against the run as well as he rushes the passer, which is the trait that separates a one-year wonder from a genuine multi-time contender.
T.J. Watt pros:
- Elite in both phases, not just as a pass-rush specialist
- Pittsburgh's defensive identity is built around his snap count
- Already has award-winning film voters can reference
T.J. Watt cons:
- Repeat-winner skepticism works against him every cycle
- A quieter national TV slate than some rivals limits visibility
Best for: readers who weigh career consistency over a single hot stretch. Verdict: Buy.
3. Pat Surtain II: best coverage-first candidate
Surtain's 2024 season broke the mold — a cornerback taking home NFL Defensive Player of the Year is rare, since voters have historically favored sack totals over coverage numbers. Heading into 2026, he's still the clearest argument that shutting down a passing game from the boundary deserves the same weight as chasing quarterbacks.
Pat Surtain II pros:
- Takes away a team's top receiving threat on most Sundays
- Already has the hardware, which gives voters a recent precedent
- Denver's defense is built to showcase his coverage impact
Pat Surtain II cons:
- Corners still get overlooked relative to edge rushers on most ballots
- Interception totals swing year to year based on how often quarterbacks test him
Best for: readers who think secondary play deserves more DPOY respect. Verdict: Hold.
4. Aidan Hutchinson: best breakout narrative
Hutchinson, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft, gives Detroit's defense the kind of disruptive front presence that turns a good unit into a great one. His 2026 case leans on ascension — a player getting better in real time on a roster that's actually built to win.
Aidan Hutchinson pros:
- Plays on a Detroit roster with legitimate playoff stakes attached
- Production trend is pointed upward, which voters notice
- Versatile enough to line up across the front
Aidan Hutchinson cons:
- Fewer career-defining seasons on record than Garrett or Watt
- Voters may want another full healthy year before rewarding him at the top
Best for: readers betting on the next star to break through. Verdict: Hold.
5. Nick Bosa: best health-restored comeback story
Bosa, San Francisco's No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft, has the get-off and closing burst to headline any DPOY conversation when he's on the field for a full slate. The 2026 case is straightforward: a healthy Bosa is a top-three defender in the league, full stop.
Nick Bosa pros:
- Elite first-step quickness that few tackles can handle cleanly
- San Francisco's scheme is built to maximize his edge rushes
- A full season would immediately reset his DPOY odds
Nick Bosa cons:
- Injury history makes voters wait for proof over projection
- Missed time earlier in his career still shades the narrative
Best for: readers who trust talent over recent availability. Verdict: Wait.
6. Maxx Crosby: best value pick for bettors
Crosby draws constant double-team attention and still finds ways to affect the quarterback, which is exactly the kind of production that gets overlooked when a team's record doesn't match the individual film. He's the name SportsOrca flags for readers chasing a longer-odds DPOY ticket in 2026.
Maxx Crosby pros:
- Constant chip and double-team attention that opens lanes for teammates
- Production holds up even against the league's best tackle tandems
- Underrated national profile means better odds if the season breaks his way
Maxx Crosby cons:
- Las Vegas' record works against any winning-team narrative
- Less national spotlight than the Garrett-Watt tier limits voter familiarity
Best for: value bettors looking past the obvious favorites. Verdict: Wait.
How this list was ranked
Each candidate above gets measured against the same six criteria: pressure production, team record, versatility, national visibility, health, and narrative fit. Garrett and Watt clear every box; Surtain clears coverage and narrative but fights an uphill voting history; Hutchinson, Bosa, and Crosby each carry one obvious swing factor that keeps them behind the top tier heading into the rest of 2026.
“Voters chase sack totals first and coverage stats a distant second, and that bias decides more DPOY ballots than raw talent does.”
Which NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate should you pick for 2026?
Go with Myles Garrett if you want the safest favorite in the field — his pass-rush floor is the highest of any name on this list. Take T.J. Watt if career-long consistency matters more to your read than a single flashy stretch. Lean toward Pat Surtain II if you think coverage play is finally getting its due in 2026, and treat Aidan Hutchinson, Nick Bosa, and Maxx Crosby as the higher-variance plays worth tracking through how NFL odds move before kickoff as the season plays out.
FAQ
Who is the favorite for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2026?
Myles Garrett is the favorite among NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates for 2026 based on his pass-rush consistency. T.J. Watt is the closest challenger on résumé strength alone.
Is Myles Garrett the best defensive player in the NFL right now?
Garrett grades as the most complete pass rusher in the 2026 field, winning reps against elite tackles on a weekly basis. His case is strongest on pure production, not team record.
Can Pat Surtain II repeat as Defensive Player of the Year in 2026?
Surtain won the award for the 2024 season, and a repeat bid in 2026 is possible but faces long odds. Cornerbacks rarely win this award back to back because voters lean toward sack production.
How is NFL Defensive Player of the Year voted on?
A national media panel votes at the end of the regular season, and voters historically favor sacks, tackles for loss, and team success over coverage statistics. That bias shapes which positions dominate the shortlist every year.
Does team record affect Defensive Player of the Year voting?
Yes, team record shapes the narrative around every candidate even when it shouldn't. A defender on a losing team, like Maxx Crosby in Las Vegas, often gets less credit than one on a playoff roster.
Who are the top edge rushers in the 2026 DPOY race?
Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Aidan Hutchinson, Nick Bosa, and Maxx Crosby make up the deepest tier of edge rushers in the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year conversation. Garrett and Watt lead that group on résumé strength.
Is there a cornerback in the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year race?
Pat Surtain II is the clearest cornerback candidate in 2026, coming off a 2024 AP Defensive Player of the Year season. Defensive backs rarely win the award, which makes his case an exception rather than the norm.
Why do edge rushers win Defensive Player of the Year more than any other position?
Sack totals and quarterback pressures are the easiest defensive stats to point to on a ballot, and edge rushers produce both at the highest volume. That statistical visibility has made the position the default winner for two decades.
One last thing
The voting bias toward edge rushers is the single biggest factor deciding this award every year — a cornerback like Pat Surtain II winning in 2024 was the exception, not a sign the pattern is shifting in 2026. Bet the favorites at the top of this list, but track the coverage names for the long-shot value.
