Defensive Rookie of the Year

2025	Carson Schwesinger	Linebacker	Cleveland Browns
2024	Jared Verse	Linebacker	Los Angeles Rams
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.