2026 NFL Futures: Defensive Rookie of the Year September Betting Odds & Picks
All betting odds provided by Betway.
| Player (Team) | DROY September Odds | DROY March Odds |
| John Harbaugh, NYG | +600 | +550 |
| Jesse Minter, BAL | +800 | +650 |
| Kellen Moore, NO | +1,200 | +1,200 |
| Robert Saleh, TEN | +1,200 | +1,000 |
| Ben Johnson, CHI | +1,400 | +2,200 |
| Brian Schottenheimer, DAL | +1,400 | +1,400 |
| Joe Brady, BUF | +1,600 | +1,100 |
| Kevin Stefanski, ATL | +1,600 | +1,400 |
| Klint Kubiak, LV | +1,600 | +1,800 |
| Jim Harbaugh, LAC | +2,000 | +1,800 |
| Dan Campbell, DET | +2,200 | +2,500 |
| Kevin O’Connell, MIN | +2,200 | N/A |
| Mike McCarthy, PIT | +2,200 | +1,400 |
| Liam Coen, JAX | +2,200 | N/A |
| Todd Monken, CLE | +2,200 | +2,000 |
| Aaron Glenn, NYJ | +2,500 | +2,200 |
| Shane Steichen, IND | +2,500 | +2,500 |
Odds Movement
Since we last looked at these odds in April, the rankings have remained relatively similar, though interestingly, most contenders have seen their odds rise in the interim.
John Harbaugh remains the favourite, but his odds jumped slightly, as did his Baltimore successor Jesse Minter, who’s the only other coach with odds below +1,000. Every other coach on our top 17 here saw their odds stay the same or rise from the level they were at in April.
All except four guys: Chicago’s Ben Johnson saw a huge drop from +2,200 to +1,400, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak’s odds fell from +1,800 to +1,600 after taking Fernando Mendoza first overall, while Minnesota’s Kevin O’Connell and Jacksonville’s Liam Coen both jumped into our top 17 after missing the cut in March. However, our best bet on the board is on a guy whose odds stayed completely steady at +1,400 from March to September.
Our Best Bet On the Board: Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys (+1,400)
In his first year as the head coach in Dallas (he was with the team for the three years prior as an analyst and OC) in 2025, Brian Schottenheimer went a disappointing 7-9-1. But as an offensive-minded guy that called the plays, he actually had a decent run. Dallas’ offence was insanely good last year.
It was the defence that wasn’t up to snuff. Not a surprise when you trade your best defensive player in a shock move on the eve of the kickoff of the season. That’s life under Jerry Jones though.
Dallas’ defence won’t be miles better this season, but they seem adamant on improving what was a god-awful run-stopping unit over the last several years. And the offence hasn’t lost any of its lustre. In fact, we think the Cowboys could be very good in 2026. At least in the regular season. If he can lead Dallas to a top two seed and 12-13 wins, Schottenheimer will be in with a great shout for this award.
Long Short Dart Throw: Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings (+2,200)
This is one of those bets where you put a little something down on the best case scenario. J.J. McCarthy aside, Kevin O’Connell has shown an ability to get the most out of mediocre QBs Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, winning 13 games with the former and 14 with the latter in 2022 and 2024, respectively.
Now, he has the chance to do it again, and this time with Kyler Murray, who is arguably the most talented of that bunch. Even with how bad the QB situation was last year, Minnesota still finished 9-8. If they win 12 games and win the division with a resurgent Murray, O’Connell should be a shoo-in.
