AP Defensive Player of the Year Winners

Table
Year Lg Pos Player Tm Voting
2023NFLDEMyles GarrettCleveland BrownsVoting
2022NFLDENick BosaSan Francisco 49ersVoting
2021NFLOLBT.J. WattPittsburgh SteelersVoting
2020NFLDTAaron DonaldLos Angeles RamsVoting
2019NFLCBStephon GilmoreNew England PatriotsVoting
2018NFLDTAaron DonaldLos Angeles RamsVoting
2017NFLDTAaron DonaldLos Angeles RamsVoting
2016NFLOLBKhalil MackOakland RaidersVoting
2015NFLDEJ.J. WattHouston TexansVoting
2014NFLDEJ.J. WattHouston TexansVoting
2013NFLILBLuke KuechlyCarolina PanthersVoting
2012NFLDEJ.J. WattHouston TexansVoting
2011NFLLOLBTerrell SuggsBaltimore RavensVoting
2010NFLSSTroy PolamaluPittsburgh SteelersVoting
2009NFLLCBCharles WoodsonGreen Bay PackersVoting
2008NFLROLBJames HarrisonPittsburgh SteelersVoting
2007NFLDBBob SandersIndianapolis ColtsVoting
2006NFLRDEJason TaylorMiami DolphinsVoting
2005NFLMLBBrian UrlacherChicago BearsVoting
2004NFLFSEd ReedBaltimore RavensVoting
2003NFLMLBRay LewisBaltimore RavensVoting
2002NFLRLBDerrick BrooksTampa Bay BuccaneersVoting
2001NFLLDEMichael StrahanNew York GiantsVoting
2000NFLMLBRay LewisBaltimore RavensVoting
1999NFLRDTWarren SappTampa Bay BuccaneersVoting
1998NFLLDEReggie WhiteGreen Bay PackersVoting
1997NFLRDTDana StubblefieldSan Francisco 49ersVoting
1996NFLRDEBruce SmithBuffalo BillsVoting
1995NFLLOLBBryce PaupBuffalo BillsVoting
1994NFLRCBDeion SandersSan Francisco 49ersVoting
1993NFLDBRod WoodsonPittsburgh SteelersVoting
1992NFLRDTCortez KennedySeattle SeahawksVoting
1991NFLROLBPat SwillingNew Orleans SaintsVoting
1990NFLRDEBruce SmithBuffalo BillsVoting
1989NFLRDTKeith MillardMinnesota VikingsVoting
1988NFLMLBMike SingletaryChicago BearsVoting
1987NFLLDEReggie WhitePhiladelphia EaglesVoting
1986NFLROLBLawrence TaylorNew York GiantsVoting
1985NFLMLBMike SingletaryChicago BearsVoting
1984NFLSSKenny EasleySeattle SeahawksVoting
1983NFLLDEDoug BettersMiami DolphinsVoting
1982NFLROLBLawrence TaylorNew York GiantsVoting
1981NFLROLBLawrence TaylorNew York GiantsVoting
1980NFLLCBLester HayesOakland RaidersVoting
1979NFLRDELee Roy SelmonTampa Bay BuccaneersVoting
1978NFLRILBRandy GradisharDenver BroncosVoting
1977NFLRDEHarvey MartinDallas CowboysVoting
1976NFLMLBJack LambertPittsburgh SteelersVoting
1975NFLRCBMel BlountPittsburgh SteelersVoting
1974NFLLDTJoe GreenePittsburgh SteelersVoting
1973NFLSSDick AndersonMiami DolphinsVoting
1972NFLLDTJoe GreenePittsburgh SteelersVoting
1971NFLRDTAlan PageMinnesota VikingsVoting