The NFL season may not kick off until September, but preparations for Super Bowl LXI are underway. Dedicated gridiron punters have already pored over the remnants of the 2025 season as they plot their potential bet calculator profits for the year ahead.
When assessing the odds, the Super Bowl winner market remains the most popular, but many others are available. One of the most intriguing concerns the ‘Defensive Rookie of the Year’ award. With a host of defensive talent arriving via the NFL draft, which prospect will best transfer his college prowess to the big stage? The early betting markets suggest the winner will emerge from the following five defensive stars.
David Bailey
- Team – New York Jets
- College – Texas Tech
- Draft Pick – 2
Having registered the second-fewest sacks in the NFL last season, the Jets’ pass-rush needed an upgrade. Handed the second overall pick, they wasted no time in selecting impressive Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey. Combining 4.5s 40-yard speed with agility, an electric first step and a repertoire of spin moves, he grabbed 14.5 sacks in his final college season.
Rueben Bain Jr
- Team – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- College – Miami (FL)
- Draft Pick – 15
Having ranked Rueben Bain Jr in the top ten on their board, Tampa Bay rated the defensive end the steal of the first round when taking him with the 15th overall pick. A three-down back able to set the edge on run plays and burst inside on passing downs, his thick, powerful frame, tenacious bull-rush, and heavy hands should help solve the Bucs’ defensive struggles.
Arvell Reese
- Team – New York Giants
- College – Ohio State
- Draft Pick – 5
Widely predicted to be a top 3 selection, the Giants were delighted to see the name of Arvell Reese still on the board as they made the fifth overall pick. One of the most impressive physical specimens in the draft, Reese clocked 4.46s for the 40-yard dash despite weighing 241 lbs. Able to play inside linebacker, weakside linebacker and edge, the explosive Reese could quickly become a key cog in John Harbaugh’s ‘positionless’ system.
Caleb Downs
- Team – Dallas Cowboys
- College – Ohio State
- Draft Pick – 11
Having traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins, the Dallas Cowboys made Caleb Downs the highest-drafted safety of 2026. Admired for his footballing intelligence, Downs’ closing speed, ball-hawking instincts, and excellent tackling technique ticked all the right boxes for new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Sonny Styles
- Team – Washington Commanders
- College – Ohio State
- Draft Pick – 7
Despite having obvious needs at cornerback and wide receiver, the Commanders rated Styles a top 5 prospect. As such, they were only too happy to take the linebacker with the seventh pick. 6’5, 244 lbs, with a 4.46 40-yard dash and phenomenal 43.5-inch vertical jump, there is a decent argument that Styles was the most impressive all-around athlete in the class of 2026. Drafted to become the centrepiece of Dan Quinn’s defence, he brings huge potential upside to the capital.
