2023 | Will Anderson | Defensive End | Houston Texans |
2022 | Ahmad Gardner | Cornerback | New York Jets |
2021 | Micah Parsons | Linebacker | Dallas Cowboys |
2020 | Chase Young | Defensive End | Washington Football Team |
2019 | Nick Bosa | Defensive End | San Francisco 49ers |
2018 | Darius Leonard | Linebacker | Indianapolis Colts |
2017 | Marshon Lattimore | Cornerback | New Orleans Saints |
2016 | Joey Bosa | Defensive End | San Diego Chargers |
2015 | Marcus Peters | Cornerback | Kansas City Chiefs |
2014 | Aaron Donald | Defensive Tackle | St. Louis Rams |
2013 | Sheldon Richardson | Defensive End | New York Jets |
2012 | Luke Kuechly | Linebacker | Carolina Panthers |
2011 | Von Miller | Linebacker | Denver Broncos |
2010 | Ndamukong Suh | Defensive Tackle | Detroit Lions |
2009 | Brian Cushing | Linebacker | Houston Texans |
2008 | Jerod Mayo | Linebacker | New England Patriots |
2007 | Patrick Willis | Linebacker | San Francisco 49ers |
2006 | DeMeco Ryans | Linebacker | Houston Texans |
2005 | Shawne Merriman | Linebacker | San Diego Chargers |
2004 | Jonathan Vilma | Linebacker | New York Jets |
2003 | Terrell Suggs | Linebacker | Baltimore Ravens |
2002 | Julius Peppers | Defensive End | Carolina Panthers |
2001 | Kendrell Bell | Linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers |
2000 | Brian Urlacher | Linebacker | Chicago Bears |
1999 | Jevon Kearse | Defensive End | Tennessee Titans |
1998 | Charles Woodson | Cornerback | Oakland Raiders |
1997 | Peter Boulware | Linebacker | Baltimore Ravens |
1996 | Simeon Rice | Defensive End | Arizona Cardinals |
1995 | Hugh Douglas | Defensive End | New York Jets |
1994 | Tim Bowens | Defensive Tackle | Miami Dolphins |
1993 | Dana Stubblefield | Defensive Tackle | San Francisco 49ers |
1992 | Dale Carter | Cornerback | Kansas City Chiefs |
1991 | Mike Croel | Linebacker | Denver Broncos |
1990 | Mark Carrier | Safety | Chicago Bears |
1989 | Derrick Thomas | Linebacker | Kansas City Chiefs |
1988 | Erik McMillon | Safety | New York Jets |
1987 | Shane Conlan | Linebacker | Buffalo Bills |
1986 | John Offerdahl | Linebacker | Miami Dolphins |
1985 | Duane Bickett | Linebacker | Indianapolis Colts |
1984 | Bill Maas | Defensive Tackle | Kansas City Chiefs |
1983 | Vernon Maxwell | Linebacker | Baltimore Colts |
1982 | Chip Banks | Linebacker | Cleveland Browns |
1981 | Lawrence Taylor | Linebacker | New York Giants |
1980 | Buddy Curry | Linebacker | Atlanta Falcons |
| Al Richardson | Linebacker | Atlanta Falcons |
1979 | Jim Haslett | Linebacker | Buffalo Bills |
1978 | Al Baker | Defensive End | Detroit Lions |
1977 | A.J. Duhe | Defensive Tackle | Miami Dolphins |
1976 | Mike Haynes | Safety | New England Patriots |
1975 | Robert Brazile | Linebacker | Houston Oilers |
1974 | Jack Lambert | Linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers |
1973 | Wally Chambers | Defensive Tackle | Chicago Bears |
1972 | Willie Buchanon | Cornerback | Green Bay Packers |
1971 | Isiah Robertson | Linebacker | Los Angeles Rams |
1970 | Bruce Taylor | Cornerback | San Francisco 49ers |
1969 | Joe Greene | Defensive Tackle | Pittsburgh Steelers |
1968 | Claude Humphrey | Defensive End | Atlanta Falcons |
1967 | Lem Barney | Cornerback | Detroit Lions |
Der Award wird jährlich von der Nachrichtenagentur AP vergeben.