NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Arvell Reese Taking Over in Defensive ROY Race After Multi-Sack Outing
Arvell Reese has surged to even money in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race after a dominant three-sack performance helped the Giants finally win in Philadelphia, while David Bailey remains close behind after another disruptive game for the Jets. Check out the latest NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds entering Week 10.
Peter Alexis - November 10, 2026, 1:33 PM EST
4 Minute ReadNFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Arvell Reese Surges After Dominant Giants Win
The Defensive Rookie of the Year race has separated into a clear top two. Reese has moved all the way to +100 after becoming one of the driving forces behind a surprising Giants playoff push, while Bailey remains the more productive pure pass rusher with 7.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Their statistical profiles are different enough to make the debate interesting. Bailey owns the better sack and pressure résumé, but Reese combines pass-rush disruption with significantly more tackle production, coverage responsibilities and an every-down role for a Giants team that continues finding ways to win close games.
2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
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Arvell Reese +100 Check out these best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
Reese delivered the defining performance of his rookie season in New York's 19-11 road win over Philadelphia, recording 12 tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble. His strip-sack arrived in just 2.29 seconds, the fastest sack recorded by any NFL defender this season, while two of his three sacks came while aligned as an inside linebacker.
The victory was New York's first in Philadelphia since 2013 and improved the Giants to 5-3-1, keeping them firmly in the NFC East race. Reese has now accumulated 68 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, four passes defended and a forced fumble while rarely leaving the field.
That versatility is what can separate him from Bailey. Reese can rush from multiple alignments, play off the ball, make tackles in space and contribute in coverage, giving him more opportunities to impact games even when he does not record a sack.
The Giants host Washington on Thursday night, creating another national stage for the new favorite. If Reese stacks another disruptive performance while New York continues winning, his +100 price could quickly move into odds-on territory.
David Bailey +250 Check out these best odds at BetMGM Sportsbook
Bailey responded to Reese's huge afternoon with a monster performance of his own despite the Jets' 35-12 loss at Kansas City. He recorded nine tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles, producing both sacks and both takeaways on the same drive.
The No. 2 overall pick now has 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks and five forced fumbles through eight appearances. His 7.5 sacks are already among the best starts by a rookie pass rusher in modern NFL history, while no player over the last 30 years had previously produced at least seven sacks and five forced fumbles through his first eight career games.
Bailey also has the stronger pure pressure profile of the two favorites. He has consistently generated quick pressure and previously produced nine pressures in his three-sack performance against Cleveland, showing that the sack total is supported by sustainable disruption rather than a few fortunate finishes.
The biggest obstacle is team success. New York has lost seven games while the Giants are competing for a division title, and Bailey plays a position where his impact is primarily measured through pressure production. The Jets host Buffalo next, giving him another difficult matchup but also a chance to make a statement against Josh Allen.
Sonny Styles +1500 Check out these best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Styles remains the leading longer-shot option after producing another 13 tackles in Washington's 20-13 loss to the Rams. It was his third 13-tackle performance in four games and continued a season built around consistently being around the football.
Through eight games, Styles has 67 tackles, one sack, one interception, four passes defended and one forced fumble. His production has been particularly impressive as an every-down linebacker, and he has already shown the ability to contribute against the run, in coverage and as an occasional blitzer.
The problem is a lack of headline plays compared with Reese and Bailey. Styles has only one sack and one interception, while Washington's difficult season limits the broader narrative around his production.
He gets an immediate opportunity to change that Thursday night against Reese and the Giants. A major performance in a head-to-head matchup with the current favorite would give Styles one of his best chances to shorten the +1500 price.
Gabe Jacas +1500 Check out these best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
Jacas remains in the race because his underlying pass-rush production has been stronger than the traditional numbers suggest. The Patriots rookie had two tackles without a sack in the Week 9 loss to Green Bay, but he has consistently created pressure throughout his first season.
Jacas has 26 tackles, three sacks, one interception and one pass defended through nine games. He had already generated 23 pressures through eight weeks despite playing primarily as a rotational rusher rather than an every-down starter, giving New England another disruptive young piece off the edge.
His biggest issue is opportunity. Reese and Bailey both start and receive significantly larger workloads, while Jacas has yet to produce the type of multi-sack breakout that can dramatically move an awards market.
New England faces Detroit next, creating plenty of pass-rush opportunities against Jared Goff and one of the league's more aggressive offenses. Jacas needs sacks rather than just pressures if he is going to close a considerable gap on the top two.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Outlook
Reese deserves to be the favorite after Week 9, but this is not a runaway race. His performance in Philadelphia was the best game of his season and came in a meaningful divisional road victory that pushed the Giants further into the playoff conversation.
Bailey still has the stronger pure pass-rushing numbers. A 7.5-sack, five-forced-fumble start is extraordinary, and his ability to generate pressure at an elite rate gives him a realistic path to double-digit sacks well before the end of the season.
The distinction could ultimately come down to overall impact. Bailey is the more dangerous quarterback hunter, while Reese contributes everywhere and is now making game-changing plays for a winning team. If the Giants keep winning close games and Reese remains at the center of their defense, that combination of versatility, production and team success may be difficult for Bailey to overcome.
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