NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds at Kalshi: Carson Schwesinger Clear Favorite

William Boor

Senior Editor

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Updated:

Feb 05, 2026, 05:43 PM EST

Updated:

Feb 05, 2026, 05:43 PM EST

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds at Kalshi: Carson Schwesinger Clear Favorite article feature image

3 min read

Credit:

Dec 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is sacked by Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The 2025-26 NFL season has highlighted a tenacious new generation of defensive stars who have successfully made the jump from college standouts to professional playmakers. Tonight, the NFL Honors ceremony will name the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and while the market has a clear frontrunner (Carson Schwesinger), Kalshi traders know that the final hours before the announcement can bring unexpected shifts to uncover trading value.

If you want to trade on the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2025-2026 season, be sure to claim a $10 bonus with the Kalshi promo code:

Live NFL Defensive Rookie the Year Odds for 2025-26 Regular Season

Here are the live NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds at Kalshi:

The Clear Favorite: Carson Schwesinger

Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger enters the night as the overwhelming favorite.

Schwesinger, a second-round pick out of UCLA, took the league by storm by leading all rookies with 146 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss. His consistency was unmatched, recording double-digit tackles in seven different games—the most by any rookie this season. Already named the Defensive Rookie of the Year by the PFWA, he is widely expected to sweep the AP honors tonight.

Early season predictions for Defensive Rookie of the Year saw Schwesinger ranked much lower, so anyone who traded early on will get a good value if Schwesinger wins tonight.

The Field: Emmanwori and Williams

Despite Schwesinger’s dominance, a few names remain in the mix for those looking at the underdog markets:

Nick Emmanwori: The Seahawks' safety has been a versatile weapon in Mike Macdonald’s elite defense. His athleticism allowed him to transition between safety and slot cornerback, tallying 17 tackles and two pass breakups in his first month alone. If Emmanwori doesn't win tonight, he'll still be gearing up for his appearance in Super Bowl LX.
Tyleik Williams: Though trading at longer odds, the 49ers' defensive lineman has been a force in the trenches for one of the league’s best scoring defenses, showcasing the speed and technique that kept San Francisco in the hunt all season.

With the ceremony just hours away, Kalshi's real-time market offers a final chance to trade on these defensive standouts. While Schwesinger's historic tackle volume makes him the man to beat, any last-minute "voter buzz" could see these prices move before the winner is officially revealed.

Trading volume for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year market is approaching $2 million leading up to the ceremony. Kalshi will verify the final outcome by consulting official NFL sources.

Where to Watch the NFL Honors Ceremony

If you want to watch the NFL Honors Ceremony and see your NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds predictions at Kalshi unfold, tune in at 9 p.m. ET or 6 p.m. PT. Streaming options include NBC, NFL Network, and Peacock.

And if you want to see the Kalshi odds for other rewards tonight, check out these articles for: Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year.

What is Kalshi?

Different than a traditional sportsbook and available in all 50 states, Kalshi allows users to make predictions across several unique markets, including sports, entertainment, elections and even weather.

Kalshi operates on a contract-based system where users buy "contracts" (priced between 1–99 cents) based on whether they believe a specific event will happen. The price of each contract fluctuates in real time based on market sentiment and like the stock market, traders can sell positions early to lock in profits (or minimize losses).

About the Author

William Boor is a Senior editor for the Action Network. He has worked in sports for over a decade since graduating from Arizona State's Cronkite School of Journalism. Before joining the Action Network, Boor worked at MLB.com.

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