The Pro Football Writers of America has annually honored a defensive player of the year in the National Football League since 1992. From 1992 through 2012, the award was presented in conjunction with Pro Football Weekly.[1]
| Season | Player | Team | Position | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defensive tackle | [2] | |||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Cornerback | ||||
| Outside linebacker | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive tackle | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive tackle | ||||
| Middle linebacker | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Outside linebacker | ||||
| Middle linebacker | ||||
| Safety | ||||
| Middle linebacker | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Safety | ||||
| Outside linebacker | ||||
| Cornerback | ||||
| Outside linebacker | ||||
| Outside linebacker | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive tackle | ||||
| Cornerback | ||||
| Defensive tackle | ||||
| Outside linebacker | ||||
| Defensive end | ||||
| Defensive end |