Defense? What’s that? With all the rules favoring offenses in today’s NFL, these players stood out as game changers to the voters.
2nd Runner-Up
Richard Sherman, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks (2 votes)
Love him or hate him, he’s one of the best in the NFL. The best cornerback on the league’s best passing defense will get you noticed.
1st Runner-Up
Justin Houston, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs (4 votes)
Houston made it look easy this season, leading the league with 22 sacks, add that with his 4 forced fumbles and you have a legitimate defensive player of the year candidate. Unfortunately for him it wasn’t enough to capture the top spot.
Defensive Player of the Year
J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Houston Texans (49 votes)
This race wasn’t even close. J.J. Watt is by far the best defensive player in the NFL. Not only did Watt have a good enough season to capture his second consecutive defensive player of the year award (last time this was done was by Lawrence Taylor in the 1981 and 1982 seasons) but was able to maintain a high enough level of play to keep him in the NFL’s most valuable player of the year discussion.
Honorable Mention
None