NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award
- 1971 Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings Defensive tackle
- 1972 Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive tackle
- 1973 Dick Anderson, Miami Dolphins Safety
- 1974 Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive tackle
- 1975 Mel Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback
- 1976 Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker
- 1977 Harvey Martin, Dallas Cowboys Defensive end
- 1978 Randy Gradishar, Denver Broncos Linebacker
- 1979 Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive end
- 1980 Lester Hayes, Oakland Raiders Cornerback
- 1981 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants Linebacker
- 1982 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants Linebacker
- 1983 Doug Betters, Miami Dolphins Defensive end
- 1984 Kenny Easley, Seattle Seahawks Safety
- 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 Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills Defensive end
- 1991 Pat Swilling, New Orleans Saints Linebacker
- 1992 Cortez Kennedy, Seattle Seahawks Defensive tackle
- 1993 Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback
- 1994 Deion Sanders, San Francisco 49ers Cornerback
- 1995 Bryce Paup, Buffalo Bills Linebacker
- 1996 Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills Defensive end
- 1997 Dana Stubblefield, San Francisco 49ers Defensive tackle
- 1998 Reggie White, Green Bay Packers Defensive end
- 1999 Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive tackle
- 2000 Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens Linebacker
- 2001 Michael Strahan, New York Giants Defensive end
- 2002 Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker
- 2003 Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens Linebacker
- 2004 Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens Safety
- 2005 Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears, Linebacker
