Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

The Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press (AP) to the most outstanding defensive player in the National Football League (NFL) at the end of every 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, such as the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award, and AP NFL Rookie of the Year Award. The most recent winner of the AP Defensive Player of the Year award is defensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.

Defensive Player of the Year Award

Myles Garrett, the 2023 recipient.
Awarded for	Defensive player of the year in the National Football League
Presented by	Associated Press
History
First award	1971
Most wins	Lawrence Taylor J. J. Watt Aaron Donald (3 each)
Most recent	Myles Garrett

Lawrence Taylor, J. J. Watt, and Aaron Donald are the only three-time winners of the award.^[1] Joe Greene, Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, Bruce Smith, and Reggie White have each won it twice. Taylor is the only player to win the award as a rookie, doing so in 1981.^[2] In 2008, James Harrison became the only undrafted free agent to win the award.^[3] White is the only player to win the award with two different teams, winning in 1987 with the Philadelphia Eagles and again with the Green Bay Packers in 1998.^[4] J. J. Watt is the only player to win the award unanimously, receiving 50 out of 50 first place votes in 2014.^[5] He was also a near-unanimous winner in 2012 as he earned 49 out of 50 votes.^[5]

As of the end of the 2022 NFL season, linebackers have won the award seventeen times, more than any other position. A defensive end has won fourteen times, followed by ten defensive tackles, six cornerbacks, and five safeties. Only two winners of the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award have also won the AP's Most Valuable Player Award for the same season: defensive tackle Alan Page in 1971 for the Minnesota Vikings and linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1986 for the New York Giants.^[6]

Winners

Ray Lewis (No. 52) and Terrell Suggs (No. 55) each won the award playing for the Baltimore Ravens.

Season	Player	Position	Team	Ref
1971	Alan Page	Defensive tackle	Minnesota Vikings	[7]
1972	Joe Greene	Defensive tackle	Pittsburgh Steelers	[8]
1973	Dick Anderson	Safety	Miami Dolphins	[9]
1974	Joe Greene (2)	Defensive tackle	Pittsburgh Steelers	[10]
1975	Mel Blount	Cornerback	Pittsburgh Steelers	[11]
1976	Jack Lambert	Linebacker	Pittsburgh Steelers	[12]
1977	Harvey Martin	Defensive end	Dallas Cowboys	[13]
1978	Randy Gradishar	Linebacker	Denver Broncos	[14]
1979	Lee Roy Selmon	Defensive end	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	[15]
1980	Lester Hayes	Cornerback	Oakland Raiders	[16]
1981	Lawrence Taylor	Linebacker	New York Giants	[17]
1982	Lawrence Taylor (2)	Linebacker	New York Giants	[18]
1983	Doug Betters	Defensive end	Miami Dolphins	[19]
1984	Kenny Easley	Safety	Seattle Seahawks	[20]
1985	Mike Singletary	Linebacker	Chicago Bears	[21]
1986	Lawrence Taylor (3)	Linebacker	New York Giants	[22]
1987	Reggie White	Defensive end	Philadelphia Eagles	[23]
1988	Mike Singletary (2)	Linebacker	Chicago Bears	[24]
1989	Keith Millard	Defensive tackle	Minnesota Vikings	[25]
1990	Bruce Smith	Defensive end	Buffalo Bills	[26]
1991	Pat Swilling	Linebacker	New Orleans Saints	[27]
1992	Cortez Kennedy	Defensive tackle	Seattle Seahawks	[28]
1993	Rod Woodson	Cornerback	Pittsburgh Steelers	[29]
1994	Deion Sanders	Cornerback	San Francisco 49ers	[30]
1995	Bryce Paup	Linebacker	Buffalo Bills	[31]
1996	Bruce Smith (2)	Defensive end	Buffalo Bills	[32]
1997	Dana Stubblefield	Defensive tackle	San Francisco 49ers	[33]
1998	Reggie White (2)	Defensive end	Green Bay Packers	[4]
1999	Warren Sapp	Defensive tackle	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	[34]
2000	Ray Lewis	Linebacker	Baltimore Ravens	[35]
2001	Michael Strahan	Defensive end	New York Giants	[36]
2002	Derrick Brooks	Linebacker	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	[37]
2003	Ray Lewis (2)	Linebacker	Baltimore Ravens	[38]
2004	Ed Reed	Safety	Baltimore Ravens	[39]
2005	Brian Urlacher	Linebacker	Chicago Bears	[40]
2006	Jason Taylor	Defensive end	Miami Dolphins	[41]
2007	Bob Sanders	Safety	Indianapolis Colts	[42]
2008	James Harrison	Linebacker	Pittsburgh Steelers	[43]
2009	Charles Woodson	Cornerback	Green Bay Packers	[44]
2010	Troy Polamalu	Safety	Pittsburgh Steelers	[45]
2011	Terrell Suggs	Linebacker	Baltimore Ravens	[46]
2012	J. J. Watt	Defensive end	Houston Texans	[47]
2013	Luke Kuechly	Linebacker	Carolina Panthers	[48]
2014	J. J. Watt (2)	Defensive end	Houston Texans	[5]
2015	J. J. Watt (3)	Defensive end	Houston Texans	[49]
2016	Khalil Mack	Defensive end	Oakland Raiders	[50]
2017	Aaron Donald	Defensive tackle	Los Angeles Rams	[51]
2018	Aaron Donald (2)	Defensive tackle	Los Angeles Rams	[52]
2019	Stephon Gilmore	Cornerback	New England Patriots	[53]
2020	Aaron Donald (3)	Defensive tackle	Los Angeles Rams	[54]
2021	T. J. Watt	Linebacker	Pittsburgh Steelers	[55]
2022	Nick Bosa	Defensive end	San Francisco 49ers	[56]
2023	Myles Garrett	Defensive end	Cleveland Browns	[57]

Multiple-time winners

Player	Awards	Position	Team	Seasons
Lawrence Taylor	3	Linebacker	New York Giants	1981, 1982, 1986
J. J. Watt	3	Defensive end	Houston Texans	2012, 2014, 2015
Aaron Donald	3	Defensive tackle	Los Angeles Rams	2017, 2018, 2020
Joe Greene	2	Defensive tackle	Pittsburgh Steelers	1972, 1974
Mike Singletary	2	Linebacker	Chicago Bears	1985, 1988
Bruce Smith	2	Defensive end	Buffalo Bills	1990, 1996
Reggie White	2	Defensive end	Philadelphia Eagles Green Bay Packers	1987, 1998
Ray Lewis	2	Linebacker	Baltimore Ravens	2000, 2003

See also

• National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award for an overview of similar awards by other organizations
• Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award
• Pro Football Writers Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year
• Kansas City Committee of 101 AFC and NFC Defensive Players of the Year
• Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award

References

General

• Gellerman, Jacob; Drexler, Sam; Marini, Matt; Cocchiaro, Nicolas; Zerkel, Alex, eds. (2016). 2018 Official NFL Record and Fact Book (PDF). National Football League. pp. 524–525. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
• "AP Defensive Player of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
• "NFL Defensive Player of the Year". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. February 6, 2016. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2017.

Footnotes

1. Wesseling, Chris (February 6, 2016). "J.J Watt wins third Defensive Player of Year award". NFL.com. NFL. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
2. Lewis, Michael (2007). The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. W. W. Norton & Company. p. 17. ISBN 978-0393066227. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
3. Kremer, Andrea (January 8, 2017). "Ageless Steelers star James Harrison strives to be like his father". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
4. Wilner, Barry (January 7, 1999). "White named defensive player of year". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. p. D1. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
5. Brinson, Will (January 31, 2015). "J.J. Watt is first-ever unanimous NFL Defensive Player of the Year". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
6. Corry, Joel (December 30, 2014). "Who deserves the NFL MVP award?". National Football Post. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
7. "Alan Page 'Hurrys' To Defensive Award". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. January 7, 1972. p. 14. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
8. Mihoces, Gary (January 5, 1973). "Joe Greene Defensive Player of the Year". The Evening News. Associated Press. p. 6B. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
9. "Buffalo's Simpson, Dolphins' Anderson Named Top Gridders". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 4, 1974. p. B4. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
10. "Defensive Honor Goes To 'Mean' Joe Greene". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. January 8, 1975. p. 1C. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
11. "Pittsburgh's Mel Blount Is Top Player". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. January 9, 1976. p. 11. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
12. "Lambert defense winner". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 29, 1976. p. 15. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
13. "Martin Named As Top Defensive Player". The Times-News. Associated Press. January 5, 1978. p. 16. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
14. "Broncos' Gradishar Wins Award". Lakeland Ledger. Associated Press. January 12, 1979. p. 1D. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
15. "Lee Roy Selmon of Tampa defensive player of year". The Day. Associated Press. December 21, 1979. p. 34. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
16. Lowitt, Bruce (January 8, 1981). "Lester Hayes picks off defensive player award". Beaver County Times. Associated Press. p. B-1. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
17. "Taylor 1st rookie to be Defensive Player of Year". The Evening Independent. Associated Press. January 8, 1982. p. 4-C. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
18. "Defensive player honors go to Taylor once more". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. January 8, 1983. p. 15. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
19. "Miami's Betters Named Defensive Player Of Year". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. December 23, 1983. p. 14B. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
20. "Seahawks' Easley top defender". The Sumter Daily Item. Associated Press. December 19, 1984. p. 2C. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
21. "Chicago's Singletary gets defensive honor". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. December 31, 1985. p. 9. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
22. "Taylor sweeps post-season honors". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. December 31, 1986. p. 14. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
23. "White named top defensive player". The Hour. Associated Press. December 31, 1987. p. 25. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
24. "Top defensive player: Singletary". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. December 29, 1988. p. 2B. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
25. "Millard defensive player of year". The Times-News. Associated Press. December 30, 1989. p. 15. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
26. "Buffalo's Bruce Smith honored". Ellensburg Daily Record. Associated Press. January 10, 1991. p. 11. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
27. "Saints' Swilling Defensive Player of the Year". Kingman Daily Miner. Associated Press. December 30, 1991. p. 6. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
28. "Seattle tackle named defensive player of year". The Times-News. Associated Press. January 6, 1993. p. 1B. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
29. "Steelers' Woodson top defensive player". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. January 7, 1994. p. 2B. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
30. "Sanders are players of the year". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 29, 1994. p. 3C. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
31. "Bills' Paup garners defensive player of year award". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 29, 1995. p. 3B. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
32. "Consolation for Smith: Bills star voted Defensive Player of Year". Sun Journal. Associated Press. December 30, 1996. p. 1C. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
33. "Stubblefield is defensive player of year". Lodi News-Sentinel. Associated Press. December 26, 1997. p. 17. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
34. "Bucs' Sapp named NFL's top defensive player". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. January 14, 2000. p. 1B. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
35. Ginsburg, David (January 3, 2001). "Ravens' Lewis named defensive player of the year". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Associated Press. p. 1B. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
36. Wilner, Barry (January 17, 2002). "Sackmaster Strahan wins Defensive Player award". Kingman Daily Miner. Associated Press. p. 7. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
37. Wilner, Barry (January 9, 2003). "Bucs' linebacker is NFL Defensive Player of the Year". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. p. 15. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
38. "Ravens Lewis' win player of the year awards". Boca Raton News. Associated Press. January 1, 2004. p. 24. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
39. "First safety in 20 years to win defensive award". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 7, 2005. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
40. "Urlacher named AP Defensive Player of the Year". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 6, 2006. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
41. Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2007). "Taylor takes home AP Defensive Player of the Year honor". USA Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
42. "AP picks Colts' Sanders as top defensive player". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 7, 2008. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
43. "Harrison has death grip on defensive award". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 5, 2009. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
44. "CB Woodson voted AP's top defensive player". NFL.com. Associated Press. January 12, 2010. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
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46. Zrebiec, Jeff (February 4, 2012). "Terrell Suggs selected AP Defensive Player of the Year". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
47. Rosenthal, Gregg (February 2, 2013). "J.J. Watt near unanimous Defensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. National Football League. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
48. Brinson, Will (February 1, 2014). "Luke Kuechly wins 2013 Defensive Player of the Year". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
49. "J.J. Watt wins third Defensive Player of the Year award, calls out doubters". CBS Sports. February 7, 2016. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
50. Reyes, Lorenzo (February 4, 2017). "Raiders' Khalil Mack named NFL defensive player of the year". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
51. Shook, Nick (February 3, 2018). "Aaron Donald named NFL Defensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
52. Patra, Kevin (February 2, 2019). "Aaron Donald named 2018 Defensive Player of Year". Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
53. Shook, Nick (February 1, 2020). "Stephon Gilmore named 2019 Defensive Player of Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
54. Patra, Kevin (February 6, 2021). "Rams DT Aaron Donald wins AP Defensive Player of the Year for third time". NFL.com. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
55. Patra, Kevin (February 10, 2022). "Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt named 2021 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
56. Shook, Nick (February 9, 2023). "Niners DE Nick Bosa named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
57. Shook, Nick (February 8, 2024). "Browns DE Myles Garrett named AP 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.