jalen-carter-cbs.jpg
Imagn Images

Defense has always been a priority in the NFL, and players on that side of the ball have started to emerge as some of the biggest stars in the game today. Players like Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt, Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, and Patrick Surtain II all have rare, game-changing ability. Despite his ongoing contract dispute, Parsons is +750 (risk $100 to win $750) to win the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users can get $200 in bonus bets with a $5 wager and $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket. He's behind odds-on favorite Detroit Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who is also in the running for Comeback Player of the Year (+275) after missing most of the 2024 campaign with a knee injury. Is it worth looking at Hutchinson or Parsons as a DPOY bet in 2025? Or is there a longshot like Bosa (+1500) who is worth considering instead?

SportsLine expert handicapper Jimmie Kaylor has broken down the latest betting trends and NFL futures odds and locked in his top quarterback prop bet picks for the 2025 NFL season. Before locking in any NFL futures bets on the best betting apps, you'll want to see what Kaylor has to say. 

Kaylor posted a 55-34-4 record on NFL point spread and over/under picks during the 2024 season, profiting 15.78 units ($1,578 for a $100 bettor).

Here are Kaylor's top three defensive futures prop bets (placed August 15, 2025 - odds subject to change)

Malaki Starks to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (+2000 at BetMGM)

After an outstanding career at Georgia, Starks was the 27th overall pick in the 2025 Draft. While he isn't getting the same type of preseason hype as Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter, Starks is actually in a position to potentially make a bigger impact as a rookie in 2025. The Ravens are among the top Super Bowl contenders in the NFL, and Starks is expected to be a Week 1 starter in their secondary. If Starks' skillset transfers well to the NFL game (as I expect it to), 20-1 is a great value here. Back Starks at BetMGM, where new users can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first bet loses.

Jalen Carter to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year (+2200 at FanDuel)

Carter had a breakout campaign in 2024 and ranks among the most physically gifted players the NFL has ever seen. The former Georgia star drew reminds me of a larger version of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, and he is one of the most impactful defensive players in the NFL today. He finished the 2024 regular season with 13.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles -- elite numbers for an interior lineman. If he can build on his 2024 performance, Carter could firmly position himself as a top contender for this honor. You can back Carter at FanDuel, where new users get $300 in bonus bets with a winning $5 wager:

Maxx Crosby to record 12 or more regular season sacks (+105 at DraftKings)

Crosby became the highest paid non-quarterback in the league after signing his extension this offseason, although he was quickly overtaken by Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. After logging 27 sacks across 2022 and 2023, Crosby had a slightly down 2024 campaign where he registered just 7.5 sacks. He battled some injuries which limited him to 12 games, so he was on pace for 10.5 sacks if we extrapolate his production for a full 17-game season. The Raiders have undergone a lot of changes in the offseason on both sides of the ball but Crosby remains one of the most productive defensive players in the league. He should be able to hit 12 sacks in 2025, even if he faces double teams and additional blockers from opponents.

Looking for more football picks?

The SportsLine Projection Model has revealed and is constantly updating its Fantasy football cheat sheets. Visit SportsLine now to see the top Fantasy football sleepers, breakouts, and busts, all from the model that outperformed human experts in 2024.