1982 NFL Awards

AP Defensive Player of the Year

43 Winners


2025	Myles Garrett	DE	Browns CLE	500	100%
2024	Patrick Surtain II	CB	Broncos DEN	320	65.3%
2023	Myles Garrett	DE	Browns CLE	165	66%
2022	Nick Bosa	DE	49ers SF	237	94.8%
2021	T.J. Watt	LB	Steelers PIT	42	84%
2020	Aaron Donald	DT	Rams LAR	27	54%
2019	Stephon Gilmore	RCB	Patriots NE	21	42%
2018	Aaron Donald	RDT	Rams LAR	45	90%
2017	Aaron Donald	RDE	Rams LAR	23	46%
2016	Khalil Mack	RDE	Raiders OAK	18	36%
2015	J.J. Watt	RDE	Texans HOU	37	74%
2014	J.J. Watt	LDE	Texans HOU	50	100%
2013	Luke Kuechly	MLB	Panthers CAR	19	38%
2012	J.J. Watt	LDE	Texans HOU	49	98%
2011	Terrell Suggs	LOLB	Ravens BAL	21	42%
2010	Troy Polamalu	SS	Steelers PIT	17	34%
2009	Charles Woodson	LCB	Packers GB	28	56%
2008	James Harrison	ROLB	Steelers PIT	22	44%
2007	Bob Sanders	SS	Colts IND	31	62%
2006	Jason Taylor	RDE	Dolphins MIA	22	44%
2005	Brian Urlacher	MLB	Bears CHI	34	68%
2004	Ed Reed	SS	Ravens BAL	20	41.7%
2003	Ray Lewis	RILB	Ravens BAL	43	86%
2002	Derrick Brooks	RLB	Buccaneers TB	36	75%
2001	Michael Strahan	LDE	Giants NYG	27	54%
2000	Ray Lewis	MLB	Ravens BAL	30	60%
1999	Warren Sapp	RDT	Buccaneers TB	19	38%
1998	Reggie White	LDE	Packers GB	20	42.6%
1997	Dana Stubblefield	RDT	49ers SF	28	58.3%
1996	Bruce Smith	RDE	Bills BUF	56	60.2%
1995	Bryce Paup	LOLB	Bills BUF	73	83%
1994	Deion Sanders	RCB	49ers SF	39	39.8%
1993	Rod Woodson	LCB	Steelers PIT	35	43.2%
1992	Cortez Kennedy	RDT	Seahawks SEA	33	41.3%
1991	Pat Swilling	ROLB	Saints NO	27	32.9%
1990	Bruce Smith	RDE	Bills BUF	72	90%
1989	Keith Millard	RDT	Vikings MIN	33	49.3%
1988	Mike Singletary	MLB	Bears CHI	33	42.3%
1987	Reggie White	LDE	Eagles PHI	63	75%
1986	Lawrence Taylor	ROLB	Giants NYG	74	88.1%
1985	Mike Singletary	MLB	Bears CHI	--	--
1984	Kenny Easley	SS	Seahawks SEA	25	29.8%
1983	Doug Betters	LDE	Dolphins MIA	19	22.6%
1982	Lawrence Taylor	ROLB	Giants NYG	34	40.5%
1981	Lawrence Taylor	ROLB	Giants NYG	22	26.2%
1980	Lester Hayes	LCB	Raiders OAK	26	31%
1979	Lee Roy Selmon	RDE	Buccaneers TB	38	45.2%
1978	Randy Gradishar	RILB	Broncos DEN	30	35.7%
1977	Harvey Martin	RDE	Cowboys DAL	27	32.1%
1976	Jack Lambert	MLB	Steelers PIT	42	50%
1975	Mel Blount	RCB	Steelers PIT	30	38.5%
1974	Joe Greene	LDT	Steelers PIT	13	16.7%
1973	Dick Anderson	SS	Dolphins MIA	16	20.5%
1972	Joe Greene	LDT	Steelers PIT	32	47.8%
1971	Alan Page	RDT	Vikings MIN	16	21.3%

Award	Player	Pos	Team	Votes	Share

#	Player	Pos	Team	Votes	Share