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National Football League - Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year

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NFL - Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year


The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) is an annual award presented by the Associated Press (AP) to the defensive player in the National Football League (NFL) deemed to have had the most outstanding season. It has been awarded since 1971. The winner is decided by votes from a panel of 50 AP sportswriters. Since 2011, the award has been presented at the annual NFL Honors ceremony the day before the Super Bowl, along with other AP awards.

National Football League - Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year

Season Player/Coach Position League Team
2024-2025 Patrick Surtain II CB NFL Denver Broncos
2023-2024 Myles Garrett DE NFL Cleveland Browns
2022-2023 Nick Bosa DE NFL San Francisco 49ers
2021-2022 T.J. Watt OLB NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
2020-2021 Aaron Donald DT NFL Los Angeles Rams
2019-2020 Stephon Gilmore CB NFL New England Patriots
2018-2019 Aaron Donald DT NFL Los Angeles Rams
2017-2018 Aaron Donald DT NFL Los Angeles Rams
2016-2017 Khalil Mack OLB NFL Oakland Raiders
2015-2016 J.J. Watt DE NFL Houston Texans
2014-2015 J.J. Watt DE NFL Houston Texans
2013-2014 Luke Kuechly ILB NFL Carolina Panthers
2012-2013 J.J. Watt DE NFL Houston Texans
2011-2012 Terrell Suggs LOLB NFL Baltimore Ravens
2010-2011 Troy Polamalu SS NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
2009-2010 Charles Woodson LCB NFL Green Bay Packers
2008-2009 James Harrison ROLB NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
2007-2008 Bob Sanders DB NFL Indianapolis Colts
2006-2007 Jason Taylor RDE NFL Miami Dolphins
2005-2006 Brian Urlacher MLB NFL Chicago Bears
2004-2005 Ed Reed FS NFL Baltimore Ravens
2003-2004 Ray Lewis MLB NFL Baltimore Ravens
2002-2003 Derrick Brooks RLB NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2001-2002 Michael Strahan LDE NFL New York Giants
2000-2001 Ray Lewis MLB NFL Baltimore Ravens
1999-2000 Warren Sapp RDT NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1998-1999 Reggie White LDE NFL Green Bay Packers
1997-1998 Dana Stubblefield RDT NFL San Francisco 49ers
1996-1997 Bruce Smith RDE NFL Buffalo Bills
1995-1996 Bryce Paup LOLB NFL Buffalo Bills
1994-1995 Deion Sanders RCB NFL San Francisco 49ers
1993-1994 Rod Woodson DB NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
1992-1993 Cortez Kennedy RDT NFL Seattle Seahawks
1991-1992 Pat Swilling ROLB NFL New Orleans Saints
1990-1991 Bruce Smith RDE NFL Buffalo Bills
1989-1990 Keith Millard RDT NFL Minnesota Vikings
1988-1989 Mike Singletary MLB NFL Chicago Bears
1987-1988 Reggie White LDE NFL Philadelphia Eagles
1986-1987 Lawrence Taylor ROLB NFL New York Giants
1985-1986 Mike Singletary MLB NFL Chicago Bears
1984-1985 Kenny Easley SS NFL Seattle Seahawks
1983-1984 Doug Betters LDE NFL Miami Dolphins
1982-1983 Lawrence Taylor ROLB NFL New York Giants
1981-1982 Lawrence Taylor ROLB NFL New York Giants
1980-1981 Lester Hayes LCB NFL Oakland Raiders
1979-1980 Lee Roy Selmon RDE NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1978-1979 Randy Gradishar RILB NFL Denver Broncos
1977-1978 Harvey Martin RDE NFL Dallas Cowboys
1976-1977 Jack Lambert MLB NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
1975-1976 Mel Blount RCB NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
1974-1975 Joe Greene LDT NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
1973-1974 Dick Anderson SS NFL Miami Dolphins
1972-1973 Joe Greene LDT NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
1971-1972 Alan Page RDT NFL Minnesota Vikings