National Football League Defensive Player of the Year award - wikipedia National Football League Defensive Player of the Year award Several organizations give out NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards that are listed in the NFL Record and Fact Book and Total Football II : The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. The Associated Press ( AP ) has been giving the award since 1972 ; Pro Football Writers of America / Pro Football Weekly since 1970 ; and Sporting News has announced winners since 2008. The Newspaper Enterprise Association was the originator of the award in 1966. However, it became defunct after 1997. Also going defunct was the United Press International ( UPI ) AFC - NFC Defensive Player of the Year Awards that began in 1975. Contents 1 Associated Press 1.1 Awardees 2 Pro Football Writers of America 2.1 Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Player of the Year winners 3 Newspaper Enterprise Association 3.1 Newspaper Enterprise Association DPOY winners 3.2 Notes 4 United Press International 4.1 NFC Defensive Player of the Year Winners 4.2 AFC Player of the Year winners 5 Football Digest 6 Sporting News 7 Sports Illustrated 8 Pro Football Focus 9 Kansas City Committee of 101 9.1 KC Committee of 101 Defensive Player of the Year Award winners 10 See also 11 References 12 External links Associated Press Main article : Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the league 's most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971. Awardees Year Player name NFL team Position 1971 Page, Alan Alan Page Minnesota Vikings Defensive tackle 1972 Greene, Joe Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive tackle 1973 Anderson, Dick Dick Anderson Miami Dolphins Safety Greene, Joe Joe Greene ( 2 ) Pittsburgh Steelers ( 2 ) Defensive tackle Blount, Mel Mel Blount Pittsburgh Steelers ( 3 ) Cornerback 1976 Lambert, Jack Jack Lambert Pittsburgh Steelers ( 4 ) Linebacker 1977 Martin, Harvey Harvey Martin Dallas Cowboys Defensive end 1978 Gradishar, Randy Randy Gradishar Denver Broncos Linebacker 1979 Selmon, Lee Roy Lee Roy Selmon Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive end 1980 Hayes, Lester Lester Hayes Oakland Raiders Cornerback 1981 Taylor, Lawrence Lawrence Taylor - R New York Giants Linebacker 1982 Taylor, Lawrence Lawrence Taylor ( 2 ) New York Giants ( 2 ) Linebacker Betters, Doug Doug Betters Miami Dolphins ( 2 ) Defensive end 1984 Easley, Kenny Kenny Easley Seattle Seahawks Safety 1985 Singletary, Mike Mike Singletary Chicago Bears Linebacker 1986 Taylor, Lawrence Lawrence Taylor ( 3 ) New York Giants ( 3 ) Linebacker White, Reggie Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles Defensive end 1988 Singletary, Mike Mike Singletary ( 2 ) Chicago Bears ( 2 ) Linebacker 1989 Millard, Keith Keith Millard Minnesota Vikings ( 2 ) Defensive tackle 1990 Smith, Bruce Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive end 1991 Swilling, Pat Pat Swilling New Orleans Saints Linebacker 1992 Kennedy, Cortez Cortez Kennedy Seattle Seahawks ( 2 ) Defensive tackle 1993 Woodson, Rod Rod Woodson Pittsburgh Steelers ( 5 ) Cornerback 1994 Sanders, Deion Deion Sanders San Francisco 49ers Cornerback 1995 Paup, Bryce Bryce Paup Buffalo Bills ( 2 ) Linebacker Smith, Bruce Bruce Smith ( 2 ) Buffalo Bills ( 3 ) Defensive end 1997 Stubblefield, Dana Dana Stubblefield San Francisco 49ers ( 2 ) Defensive tackle 1998 White, Reggie Reggie White ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers Defensive end 1999 Sapp, Warren Warren Sapp Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 2 ) Defensive tackle 2000 Lewis, Ray Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens Linebacker 2001 Strahan, Michael Michael Strahan New York Giants ( 4 ) Defensive end 2002 Brooks, Derrick Derrick Brooks Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 3 ) Linebacker 2003 Lewis, Ray Ray Lewis ( 2 ) Baltimore Ravens ( 2 ) Linebacker Reed, Ed Ed Reed Baltimore Ravens ( 3 ) Safety 2005 Urlacher, Brian Brian Urlacher Chicago Bears ( 3 ) Linebacker 2006 Taylor, Jason Jason Taylor Miami Dolphins ( 3 ) Defensive end 2007 Sanders, Bob Bob Sanders Indianapolis Colts Safety 2008 Harrison, James James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers ( 6 ) Linebacker 2009 Woodson, Charles Charles Woodson Green Bay Packers ( 2 ) Cornerback Polamalu, Troy Troy Polamalu Pittsburgh Steelers ( 7 ) Safety 2011 Suggs, Terrell Terrell Suggs Baltimore Ravens ( 4 ) Linebacker 2012 Watt, J.J. J.J. Watt Houston Texans Defensive end 2013 Kuechly, Luke Luke Kuechly Carolina Panthers Linebacker 2014 Watt, J.J. J.J. Watt ( 2 ) Houston Texans ( 2 ) Defensive end 2015 Watt, J.J. J.J. Watt ( 3 ) Houston Texans ( 3 ) Defensive end 2016 Mack, Khalil Khalil Mack Oakland Raiders ( 2 ) Defensive end Pro Football Writers of America The Professional Football Writers of America ( PFWA ) is made up of sportswriters who cover the NFL and the 32 teams on a daily basis. From 1969 to 1991, the Pro Football Writers Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year was presented by Pro Football Weekly only. PFW and the Professional Football Writers of America combined their awards in 1992. In 2013, the award was presented by PFWA alone. Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Player of the Year winners Season Player Team Position College 1969 Bobby Bell Kansas City Chiefs Outside linebacker Minnesota 1970 Dick Butkus Chicago Bears Middle linebacker Illinois 1971 Alan Page Minnesota Vikings Defensive tackle Notre Dame 1972 Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive tackle North Texas State 1973 Alan Page Minnesota Vikings Defensive Tackle Notre Dame Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive tackle North Texas Stats Jack Ham Pittsburgh Steelers Outside Linebacker Penn State 1976 Jack Lambert Pittsburgh Steelers Middle Linebacker Kent State 1977 Harvey Martin Dallas Cowboys Defensive End North Texas Stats 1978 Randy Gradishar Denver Broncos Inside Linebacker Ohio State 1979 Lee Roy Selmon Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive end Oklahoma 1980 Lester Hayes Oakland Raiders Cornerback Texas A&M 1981 Joe Klecko New York Jets Defensive end Temple 1982 Dan Hampton Chicago Bears Defensive tackle Arkansas Bob Baumhauer Miami Dolphins Defensive tackle Alabama 1984 Kenny Easley Seattle Seahawks Safety UCLA 1985 No Award 1986 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants Outside Linebacker North Carolina Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Tennessee 1988 Mike Singletary Chicago Bears Middle linebacker Baylor 1989 Keith Millard Minnesota Vikings Defensive tackle Washington State 1990 Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End Virginia Tech 1991 Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Tennessee 1992 Cortez Kennedy Seattle Seahawks Defensive Tackle Miami 1993 Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End Virginia Tech 1994 Deion Sanders San Francisco 49ers Cornerback Florida State 1995 Bryce Paup Buffalo Bills Outside Linebacker Northern Iowa Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End Virginia Tech 1997 Dana Stubblefield San Francisco 49ers Defensive tackle Kansas 1998 Reggie White Green Bay Packers Defensive end Tennessee 1999 Warren Sapp Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Tackle Miami 2000 Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens Middle Linebacker Miami 2001 Michael Strahan New York Giants Defensive End Texas Southern 2002 Derrick Brooks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Outside linebacker Florida St 2003 Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens Middle Linebacker Miami Ed Reed Baltimore Ravens Safety Miami, FL 2005 Brian Urlacher Chicago Bears Middle linebacker New Mexico 2006 Jason Taylor Miami Dolphins Defensive End Akron 2007 Bob Sanders Indianapolis Colts Safety Iowa 2008 James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers Outside Linebacker Kent State 2009 Charles Woodson Green Bay Packers Cornerback Michigan Troy Polamalu Pittsburgh Steelers Safety USC 2011 Terrell Suggs Baltimore Ravens Outside linebacker Arizona State 2012 J.J. Watt Houston Texans Defensive End Wisconsin 2013 Robert Quinn St. Louis Rams Defensive End North Carolina 2014 J.J. Watt Houston Texans Defensive End Wisconsin 2015 J.J. Watt Houston Texans Defensive End Wisconsin 2016 Khalil Mack Oakland Raiders Defensive End Buffalo 2017 Calais Campbell Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive End Miami Newspaper Enterprise Association Beginning in 1966, the Newspaper Enterprise Association ( NEA ) annually awarded the George S. Halas Trophy to the NFL 's outstanding defensive player ( Newspaper Enterprise Association Defensive Player of the Year Award ). ( The George S. Halas Trophy should not be confused with the Pro Football Writers Association 's George S. Halas Courage Award or the National Football League 's George Halas Trophy that is awarded to the NFC champion. ) The winner was released via the NEA news service and also appeared in the World Almanac, which was an NEA publication. The award ran though 1996. It was considered one of the major awards and as included in the NFL Record and Fact Book and its winners still appear in the NFL 's Official Encyclopedia, Total Football II. In his book, A Thinking Man 's Guide to Pro Football, sportwriter Paul Zimmerman touted the NEA for its All - Pro team and its awards, since they involved polling the players, rather than being a sportswriter 's poll like the AP, UPI, and the PFWA. Newspaper Enterprise Association DPOY winners Winners are awarded George S. Halas Trophy 1966 -- Larry Wilson, S, St. Louis Cardinals 1967 -- Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams 1968 -- Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams 1969 -- Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears 1970 -- Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears 1971 -- Carl Eller, DE, Minnesota Vikings 1972 -- Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers 1973 -- Alan Page, DT, Minnesota Vikings 1974 -- Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers 1975 -- Curley Culp, DT, Houston Oilers 1976 -- Jerry Sherk, DT, Cleveland Browns 1977 -- Harvey Martin, DE, Dallas Cowboys 1978 -- Randy Gradishar, ILB, Denver Broncos 1979 -- Lee Roy Selmon, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1980 -- Lester Hayes, CB, Oakland Raiders 1981 -- Joe Klecko, DE, New York Jets 1982 -- Mark Gastineau, DE, New York Jets 1983 -- Jack Lambert, MLB, Pittsburgh Steelers 1984 -- Mike Haynes, CB, Los Angeles Raiders 1985 -- Howie Long, DE, Los Angeles Raiders / Andre Tippett, OLB, New England Patriots ( tie ) 1986 -- Lawrence Taylor, OLB, New York Giants 1987 -- Reggie White, DE, Philadelphia Eagles 1988 -- Mike Singletary, MLB, Chicago Bears 1989 -- Tim Harris, OLB, Green Bay Packers 1990 -- Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills 1991 -- Pat Swilling, OLB, New Orleans Saints 1992 -- Junior Seau, LB, San Diego Chargers 1993 -- Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills 1994 -- Deion Sanders, CB, San Francisco 49ers 1995 -- Bryce Paup, OLB, Buffalo Bills 1996 -- Kevin Greene, OLB, Carolina Panthers 1997 -- Dana Stubblefield, DT, San Francisco 49ers Notes The Newspaper Enterprise Association also awarded the Bert Bell Memorial Trophy to the Rookie of the Year and the Jim Thorpe Award to the NFL MVP. The driving force behind these awards was Murray Olderman who began the NEA All - pro team in 1954 and added more awards, including the Third Down Trophy that symbolized each team 's MVP. United Press International UPI AFL - AFC Player of the Year UPI NFC Player of the Year NFC Defensive Player of the Year Winners Season Player Team Position 1975 Jack Youngblood Los Angeles Rams Defensive End 1976 Wally Chambers Chicago Bears Defensive Tackle 1977 Harvey Martin Dallas Cowboys Defensive Tackle 1978 Randy White Dallas Cowboys Defensive Tackle 1979 Lee Roy Selmon Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive End 1980 Nolan Cromwell Los Angeles Rams Safety 1981 Fred Dean San Francisco 49ers Defensive End 1982 No Award 1983 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants Linebacker 1984 Mike Singletary Chicago Bears Linebacker 1985 Mike Singletary Chicago Bears Linebacker 1986 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants Linebacker 1987 Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End 1988 Mike Singletary Chicago Bears Linebacker 1989 Keith Millard Minnesota Vikings Defensive Tackle 1990 Charles Haley San Francisco 49ers Linebacker 1991 Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End 1992 Chris Doleman Minnesota Vikings Defensive End 1993 Eric Allen Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback 1994 Charles Haley Dallas Cowboys Defensive End 1995 Reggie White Green Bay Packers Defensive End 1996 Kevin Greene Carolina Panthers Linebacker AFC Player of the Year winners Season Player Team Position Mel Blount Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback 1976 Jack Lambert Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker 1977 Lyle Alzado Denver Broncos Defensive End 1978 Randy Gradishar Denver Broncos Linebacker 1979 Jack Lambert Pittsburgh Steelers Linbebacker 1980 Lester Hayes Oakland Raiders Cornerback 1981 Joe Klecko New York Jets Defensive End 1982 No Award Rod Martin Los Angeles Raiders Linebacker 1984 Mark Gastineau New York Jets Defensive End 1985 Andre Tippett New England Patriots Linebacker 1986 Rulon Jones Denver Broncos Defensive End Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End 1988 ( tie ) Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End Cornelius Bennett Buffalo Bills Linebacker 1989 Michael Dean Perry Cleveland Browns Nose Tackle 1990 Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End 1991 Cornelius Bennett Buffalo Bills Linebacker 1992 Junior Seau San Diego Chargers Linebacker 1993 Rod Woodson Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback 1994 Greg Lloyd Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker 1995 Bryce Paup Buffalo Bills Linebacker Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End Football Digest 1992 - Junior Seau, MLB, San Diego Chargers 1993 - Deion Sanders, CB, Atlanta Falcons 1994 - Charles Haley, DE, Dallas Cowboys 1995 - Merton Hanks, S, San Francisco 49ers 1996 - Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills 1997 - Dana Stubblefield, DT, San Francisco 49ers 1998 - Junior Seau, MLB, San Diego Chargers 1999 - Warren Sapp, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2000 - Ray Lewis, MLB, Baltimore Ravens 2001 - Brian Urlacher, MLB, Chicago Bears 2002 - Derrick Brooks, OLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2003 - Ray Lewis, ILB, Baltimore Ravens 2004 - Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens Sporting News 2008 - Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans 2009 - Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers 2010 - Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers 2011 - Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings 2012 - J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2013 - Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers 2014 - J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2015 - J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2016 - Khalil Mack, DE, Oakland Raiders Sports Illustrated 2008 - DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys 2009 - Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets 2010 - Julius Peppers, DE, Chicago Bears 2011 - Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers 2012 - J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2013 - Robert Quinn, DE, St. Louis Rams 2014 - J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans Pro Football Focus 2011 - Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers 2012 - J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2013 - J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2014 - J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2015 - Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams 2016 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams 2017 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams Kansas city committee of 101 Began in 1969, the `` 101 '' is 101 of the top NFL sportwriters who have been voting on awards, such as the Defensive Player of each Conference since 1969. KC Committee of 101 Defensive Player of the Year Award winners NFC Defensive Player of the Year 1969 -- Carl Eller, Minnesota Vikings 1970 -- Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings 1971 -- Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings 1972 -- Chris Hanburger, Washington Redskins 1973 -- Lee Roy Jordan, Dallas Cowboys 1974 -- Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings 1975 -- Jack Youngblood, Los Angeles Rams 1976 -- Jack Youngblood, Los Angeles Rams 1977 -- Harvey Martin, Dallas Cowboys 1978 -- Randy White, Dallas Cowboys 1979 -- Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1980 -- Nolan Cromwell, Los Angeles Rams 1981 -- Fred Dean, San Francisco 49ers 1982 -- No award due to players strike 1983 -- Dave Butz, Washington Redskins 1984 -- Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants 1985 -- Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears 1986 -- Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants 1987 -- Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles 1988 -- Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears 1989 -- Keith Millard, Minnesota Vikings 1990 -- Charles Haley, San Francisco 49ers 1991 -- Pat Swilling, New Orleans Saints 1992 -- Wilber Marshall, Washington Redskins 1993 -- Deion Sanders, Atlanta Falcons 1994 -- Deion Sanders, San Francisco 49ers 1995 -- Reggie White, Green Bay Packers 1996 -- Kevin Greene, Carolina Panthers 1997 -- Dana Stubblefield, San Francisco 49ers 1998 -- Reggie White, Green Bay Packers 1999 -- Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2000 -- La'Roi Glover, New Orleans Saints 2001 -- Michael Strahan, New York Giants 2002 -- Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2003 -- Michael Strahan, New York Giants 2004 -- Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers 2005 -- Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears 2006 -- Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears 2007 -- Patrick Kerney, Seattle Seahawks 2008 -- DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys 2009 -- Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers 2010 -- Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers 2011 -- Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings 2012 -- Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers 2013 -- Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers 2014 -- Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks 2015 -- Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams 2016 -- Landon Collins, New York Giants 2017 -- Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams AFC Defensive Player of the Year 1969 -- Bobby Bell, Kansas City Chiefs 1970 -- Mike Curtis, Baltimore Colts 1971 -- Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs 1972 -- Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers 1973 -- Dick Anderson, Miami Dolphins 1974 -- Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers 1975 -- Mel Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers 1976 -- Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers 1977 -- Lyle Alzado, Denver Broncos 1978 -- Randy Gradishar, Denver Broncos 1979 -- Mike Reinfeldt, Houston Oilers 1980 -- Lester Hayes, Oakland Raiders 1981 -- Joe Klecko, New York Jets 1982 -- No award due to players strike 1983 -- Doug Betters, Miami Dolphins 1984 -- Kenny Easley, Seattle Seahawks 1985 -- Andre Tippett, New England Patriots 1986 -- Deron Cherry, Kansas City Chiefs 1987 -- Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills 1988 -- Cornelius Bennett, Buffalo Bills 1989 -- Michael Dean Perry, Cleveland Browns 1990 -- Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills 1991 -- Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs 1992 -- Cortez Kennedy, Seattle Seahawks 1993 -- Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh Steelers 1994 -- Greg Lloyd, Pittsburgh Steelers 1995 -- Bryce Paup, Buffalo Bills 1996 -- Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills 1997 -- Carnell Lake, Pittsburgh Steelers 1998 -- Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers 1999 -- Jevon Kearse, Tennessee Titans 2000 -- Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens 2001 -- Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens 2002 -- Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins 2003 -- Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens 2004 -- Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens 2005 -- Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts 2006 -- Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins 2007 -- Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts 2008 -- James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 -- Darrelle Revis, New York Jets 2010 -- Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 -- Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens 2012 -- J.J. Watt, Houston Texans 2013 -- Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts 2014 -- J.J. Watt, Houston Texans 2015 -- J.J. Watt, Houston Texans 2016 -- Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders 2017 -- Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars See also Defensive Player of the Year Award ( NFC and AFC ) ( Kansas City Committee of 101 Awards ) ( since 1969 ) NEA NFL Defensive Players of the Year ( defunct ) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award UPI AFL - AFC Player of the Year ( defunct ) UPI NFC Player of the Year ( defunct ) References Jump up ^ `` Ray Lewis goes from murder suspect to NFL 's Defensive Player of Year ''. Batesville Daily Guard website. Associated Press. January 3, 2001. Retrieved January 5, 2009. Jump up ^ `` First safety in 20 years to win defensive award ''. Associated Press. January 7, 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Urlacher named AP Defensive Player of the Year ''. ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 6, 2006. Retrieved January 5, 2009. Jump up ^ Wilner, Barry ( January 5, 2007 ). `` Taylor takes home AP Defensive Player of the Year honor ''. USAToday.com. Associated Press. Retrieved January 5, 2009. Jump up ^ `` AP picks Colts ' Sanders as top defensive player ''. ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2009. Jump up ^ Wilner, Barry ( January 5, 2009 ). `` Steelers ' Harrison is AP Defensive Player of Year ''. google.com. Associated Press. Retrieved January 5, 2009. Jump up ^ `` CB Woodson voted AP 's top defensive player ''. nfl.com. Associated Press. January 12, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010. External links NFL Defensive Player of the Year at CBSSportsline.com NFL Defensive Player of the Year at The Times Leader website ( 1 ) at NFL.com News National Football League awards and trophies Team Vince Lombardi Trophy Lamar Hunt Trophy ( AFC ) George Halas Trophy ( NFC ) Individual Most Valuable Player Coach of the Year Offensive Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year Rookie of the Year Comeback Player of the Year Walter Payton Man of the Year `` Whizzer '' White Man of the Year Bert Bell Award Art Rooney Award Super Bowl MVP One - time only 75th Anniversary All - Time Team ( 1994 ) All - Decade Teams Annual presentation NFL Honors NFL Top 100 Awards organizations Kansas City Committee of 101 Maxwell Football Club National Football League Alumni Touchdown Club of Columbus Washington D.C. Touchdown Club Defunct Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy Brunswick - Balke Collender Cup NEA Defensive Player of the Year PFWA Defensive Player of the Year NEA Rookie of the Year UPI AFL - AFC Player of the Year UPI NFC Player of the Year UPI AFL - AFC Rookie of the Year UPI NFL - NFC Rookie of the Year Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winners 1971 : Page 1972 : Greene 1973 : Anderson 1974 : Greene 1975 : Blount 1976 : Lambert 1977 : Martin 1978 : Gradishar 1979 : Selmon 1980 : Hayes 1981 : Taylor 1982 : Taylor 1983 : Betters 1984 : Easley 1985 : Singletary 1986 : Taylor 1987 : White 1988 : Singletary 1989 : Millard 1990 : Smith 1991 : Swilling 1992 : Kennedy 1993 : R. Woodson 1994 : D. Sanders 1995 : Paup 1996 : Smith 1997 : Stubblefield 1998 : White 1999 : Sapp 2000 : Lewis 2001 : Strahan 2002 : Brooks 2003 : Lewis 2004 : Reed 2005 : Urlacher 2006 : Taylor 2007 : B. Sanders 2008 : Harrison 2009 : C. Woodson 2010 : Polamalu 2011 : Suggs 2012 : Watt 2013 : Kuechly 2014 : Watt 2015 : Watt 2016 : Mack Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Football_League_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award&oldid=821015445 '' Categories : National Football League trophies and awards American football media Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 17 January 2018, at 22 : 58. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who won defensive player of the year nfl 2016
Answer: Khalil Mack