Abdul Carter sits as the overwhelming favorite to win the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year, slotted at +250. His Penn State numbers—24 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks in his final college season—set the table for a quick-impact rookie season in New York, where he is labeled the likely DROY favorite from day one. The Giants’ faith in his pass-rush ceiling and run-defense versatility drives the line, making him a cornerstone piece in early-season fantasy lineups.

Behind Carter, Travis Hunter and Jalon Walker headline the next tier. Hunter, balancing dual roles at college, enters the NFL spotlight with a workload question mark that could influence Defensive Rookie odds if snaps are limited. Walker brings Georgia pedigree and a documented pass-rush impact as a first-round pick for Atlanta, while James Pearce Jr. lurks at 18-1 value for the Falcons, following their back-in-the-first-round swing for a disruptive edge presence. The betting angles tilt toward Pearce Jr. as the most appealing long-shot bet, with Walker not far behind in potential upside.

The article also notes BetMGM’s promo for new users, and frames the race as a mix of immediate impact versus workload reality, with Hunter’s two-way versatility and Pearce Jr.’s pass-rush bursts offering compelling fantasy leverage if the rookies see early playing time.