NFL Defensive Player of the Year

The NFL Defensive Player of the Year as awarded by The Associated Press and selected by a nationwide media panel:2007 - Bob Sanders, Indianapolis, S2006 - Jason Taylor, Miami, DE2005 - Brian Urlacher, Chicago, LB2004 - Ed Reed, Baltimore, S2003 - Ra

The NFL Defensive Player of the Year as awarded by The Associated Press and selected by a nationwide media panel:

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, SCopyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.