NFL History: Awards

Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year
Year	Winner	Team	Position
2010	Troy Polamalu	Pittsburgh Steelers	Safety
2009	Charles Woodson	Green Bay Packers	Cornerback
2008	James Harrison	Pittsburgh Steelers	Linebacker
2007	Bob Sanders	Indianapolis Colts	Safety
2006	Jason Taylor	Miami Dolphins	Linebacker
2005	Brian Urlacher	Chicago Bears	Linebacker
2004	Ed Reed	Baltimore Ravens	Safety
2003	Ray Lewis	Baltimore Ravens	Linebacker
2002	Derrick Brooks	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Linebacker
2001	Michael Strahan	New York Giants	Defensive End
2000	Ray Lewis	Baltimore Ravens	Linebacker
1999	Warren Sapp	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Defensive Tackle
1998	Reggie White	Green Bay Packers	Defensive End
1997	Dana Stubblefield	San Francisco 49ers	Defensive Tackle
1996	Bruce Smith	Buffalo Bills	Defensive End
1995	Bryce Paup	Buffalo Bills	Linebacker
1994	Deion Sanders	San Francisco 49ers	Cornerback
1993	Rod Woodson	Pittsburgh Steelers	Cornerback
1992	Cortez Kennedy	Seattle Seahawks	Defensive Tackle
1991	Pat Swilling	New Orleans Saints	Linebacker
1990	Bruce Smith	Buffalo Bills	Defensive End
1989	Keith Millard	Minnesota Vikings	Defensive Tackle
1988	Mike Singletary	Chicago Bears	Linebacker
1987	Reggie White	Philadelphia Eagles	Defensive End
1986	Lawrence Taylor	New York Giants	Linebacker
1985	Mike Singletary	Chicago Bears	Linebacker
1984	Kenny Easley	Seattle Seahawks	Safety
1983	Doug Betters	Miami Dolphins	Defensive End
1982	Lawrence Taylor	New York Giants	Linebacker
1981	Lawrence Taylor	New York Giants	Linebacker
1980	Lester Hayes	Oakland Raiders	Cornerback
1979	Lee Roy Selmon	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Defensive End
1978	Randy Gradishar	Denver Broncos	Linebacker
1977	Harvey Martin	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive End
1976	Jack Lambert	Pittsburgh Steelers	Linebacker
1975	Mel Blount	Pittsburgh Steelers	Cornerback
1974	Joe Greene	Pittsburgh Steelers	Defensive Tackle
1973	Dick Anderson	Miami Dolphins	Safety
1972	Joe Greene	Pittsburgh Steelers	Defensive Tackle
1971	Alan Page	Minnesota Vikings	Defensive Tackle