The NFL Defensive Player of the Year as awarded by The Associated Press and selected by a nationwide media panel:
2014 -- J.J. Watt, Houston, DE
2013 -- Luke Kuechly, Carolina, LB
2012 -- J.J. Watt, Houston, LB
2011 -- Terrell Suggs, Baltimore, LB
2010 -- Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh, S
2009 -- Charles Woodson, Green Bay, CB
2008 -- James Harrison, Pittsburgh, LB
2007 -- Bob Sanders, Indianapolis, S
2006 -- Jason Taylor, Miami, DE
2005 -- Brian Urlacher, Chicago, LB
2004 -- Ed Reed, Baltimore, S
2003 -- Ray Lewis, Baltimore, LB
2002 -- Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay, LB
2001 -- Michael Strahan, N.Y. Giants, DE
2000 -- Ray Lewis, Baltimore, LB
1999 -- Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay, DT
1998 -- Reggie White, Green Bay, DE
1997 -- Dana Stubblefield, San Francisco, DT
1996 -- Bruce Smith, Buffalo, DE
1995 -- Bryce Paup, Buffalo, LB
1994 -- Deion Sanders, San Francisco, CB
1993 -- Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh, CB
1992 -- Cortez Kennedy, Seattle, DT
1991 -- Pat Swilling, New Orleans, LB
1990 -- Bruce Smith, Buffalo, DE
1989 -- Keith Millard, Minnesota, DT
1988 -- Mike Singletary, Chicago, LB
1987 -- Reggie White, Philadelphia, DE
1986 -- Lawrence Taylor, N.Y. Giants, LB
1985 -- Mike Singletary, Chicago, LB
1984 -- Kenny Easley, Seattle, S
1983 -- Doug Betters, Miami, DE
1982 -- Lawrence Taylor, N.Y. Giants, LB
1981 -- Lawrence Taylor, N.Y. Giants, LB
1980 -- Lester Hayes, Oakland, CB
1979 -- Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay, DE
1978 -- Randy Gradishar, Denver, LB
1977 -- Harvey Martin, Dallas, DE
1976 -- Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh, LB
1975 -- Mel Blount, Pittsburgh, CB
1974 -- Joe Greene, Pittsburgh, DT
1973 -- Dick Anderson, Miami, S