NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Winners List
The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is an award given to the best defensive player after their first season in the NFL. The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is voted on by the Associated Press (AP), who has announced the winner every year since 1967. Other media outlets and organizations also designate NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners, but the AP is considered the official award by the National Football League (NFL). Read on to learn more about the award, including a list of winners.
List of NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Winners
- 1967: Lem Barney (Detroit Lions)
- 1968: Claude Humphrey (Atlanta Falcons)
- 1969: Joe Greene (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- 1970: Bruce Taylor (San Francisco 49ers)
- 1971: Isiah Robertson (Los Angeles Rams)
- 1972: Willie Buchanan (Green Bay Packers)
- 1973: Wally Chambers (Chicago Bears)
- 1974: Jack Lambert (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- 1975: Robert Brazile (Houston Oilers)
- 1976: Mike Haynes (New England Patriots)
- 1977: A.J. Duhe (Miami Dolphins)
- 1978: Al Baker (Detroit Lions)
- 1979: Jim Haslett (Buffalo Bills)
- 1980: Buddy Curry and Al Richardson (Atlanta Falcons)
- 1981: Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants)
- 1982: Chip Banks (Cleveland Browns)
- 1983: Vernon Maxwell (Baltimore Bolts)
- 1984: Bill Maas (Kansas City Chiefs)
- 1985: Duane Bickett (Indianapolis Colts)
- 1986: Leslie O’Neal (San Diego Chargers)
- 1987: Shane Conlan (Buffalo Bills)
- 1988: Erik McMillan (New York Jets)
- 1989: Derrick Thomas (Kansas City Chiefs)
- 1990: Mark Carrier (Chicago Bears)
- 1991: Mike Croel (Denver Broncos)
- 1992: Dale Carter (Kansas City Chiefs)
- 1993: Dana Stubblefield (San Francisco 49ers)
- 1994: Tim Bowens (Miami Dolphins)
- 1995: Hugh Douglas (1995) - New York Jets
- 1996: Simeon Rice (Arizona Cardinals)
- 1997: Peter Boulware (Baltimore Ravens)
- 1998: Charles Woodson (Oakland Raiders)
- 1999: Jevon Kearse (Tennessee Titans)
- 2000: Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears)
- 2001: Kendrell Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- 2002: Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers)
- 2003: Terrell Suggs (Baltimore Ravens)
- 2004: Jonathan Vilma (New York Jets)
- 2005: Shawne Merriman (San Diego Chargers)
- 2006: DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans)
- 2007: Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)
- 2008: Jerod Mayo (2008) - New England Patriots
- 2009: Brian Cushing (Houston Texans)
- 2010: Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions)
- 2011: Von Miller (Denver Broncos)
- 2012: Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers)
- 2013: Sheldon Richardson (New York Jets)
- 2014: Aaron Donald (St. Louis Rams)
- 2015: Marcus Peters (Kansas City Chiefs)
- 2016: Joey Bosa (San Diego Chargers)
- 2017: Marshon Lattimore (New Orleans Saints)
- 2018: Shaquille Leonard (Indianapolis Colts)
- 2019: Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers)
- 2020: Chase Young (Washington Football Team)
- 2021: Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys)
- 2022: TBA
FAQ
What is the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award?
The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is an award given to the best defensive rookie of the regular season. The award is voted on by a panel of 50 sportswriters, who are all a part of the Associated Press (AP). The AP is recognized as the official bearer of the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
What positions win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year the most?
Out of the 54 editions of this award, the position that has won the most NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROTY) awards are linebackers, with 26 winners. The position with the second-most NFL DROTY winners are defensive ends, with 12 winners. Safeties are the least common position to win the NFL DROTY award, as only two safeties have won the award.
How is the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year chosen?
The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is chosen by a panel of 50 voters. These voters are sportswriters from all around the country, who vote on a winner at the end of each regular season. The player who receives the most votes is declared the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The voters typically take into consideration important defensive statistics, such as tackles, interceptions, and sacks, among others.