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National Football League - Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Player of the Year Award

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NFL - Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Player of the Year Award


The Pro Football Writers of America has annually honored a defensive player of the year in the National Football League since 1992. From 1992 through 2012, the award was presented in conjunction with Pro Football Weekly. The Pro Football Writers of America is an organization attempting to improving access to practices and locker rooms, developing working relationships with all teams, and ensuring that football writers are treated in a professional manner. By the mid-2000s, the group consisted of over 300 writers, editors, and columnists who cover pro football.

National Football League - Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Player of the Year Award

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 Calais Campbell LDE NFL Jacksonville Jaguars
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 Robert Quinn DE NFL St. Louis Rams
2012-2013 J.J. Watt DE NFL Houston Texans
2011-2012 Terrell Suggs LOLB NFL Baltimore Ravens
2010-2011 Clay Matthews ROLB NFL Green Bay Packers
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 Bruce Smith RDE NFL Buffalo Bills
1992-1993 Cortez Kennedy RDT NFL Seattle Seahawks