Yardbarker
x
The 'NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winners' quiz
Photo by Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The 'NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winners' quiz

Created on April 18, 2025  |  Total tries: 28929  |  Average Score: 38.4 out of 54  (71%)  |  Quiz FAQ   

Happy 44th birthday to Pittsburgh Steelers legend, 2020 Pro Football Hall-of-Fame inductee and two-time Super Bowl champion Troy Polamalu!

Known for his iconic hair trailing behind him as he flew around the football field distributing punishment, racking up 783 tackles with 12 sacks in 12 seasons as a safety to go with 32 career interceptions. 

Which brings us to today's quiz. The AP has awarded its Defensive Player of the Year Award to the NFL's most outstanding defender since 1971. How many of the NFL DPOYs can you name in five minutes?

Good luck!

Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!

Quiz Clue: Year / Team / Position / Jersey #  |  Created on April 18, 2025  |  Total tries: 28929  |  Average Score: 38.4 out of 54  (71%)  |  Quiz FAQ   
SCORE:
0/54
TIME:
5:00
2024 / DEN / CB / #2
Patrick Surtain II
2023 / CLE / DE / #95
Myles Garrett
2022 / SF / DE / #97
Nick Bosa
2021 / PIT / LB / #90
T.J. Watt
2020 / LAR / DE / #99
Aaron Donald
2019 / NE / CB / #24
Stephon Gilmore
2018 / LAR / DE / #99
Aaron Donald
2017 / LAR / DE / #99
Aaron Donald
2016 / OAK / DE / #52
Khalil Mack
2015 / HOU / DE / #99
J.J. Watt
2014 / HOU / DE / #99
J.J. Watt
2013 / CAR / LB / #59
Luke Kuechly
2012 / HOU / DE / #99
J.J. Watt
2011 / BAL / LB / #55
Terrell Suggs
2010 / PIT / S / #43
Troy Polamalu
2009 / GB / CB / #21
Charles Woodson
2008 / PIT / LB / #92
James Harrison
2007 / IND / S / #21
Bob Sanders
2006 / MIA / DE / #99
Jason Taylor
2005 / CHI / LB / #54
Brian Urlacher
2004 / BAL / S / #20
Ed Reed
2003 / BAL / LB / #52
Ray Lewis
2002 / TB / LB / #55
Derrick Brooks
2001 / NYG / DE / #92
Michael Strahan
2000 / BAL / LB / #52
Ray Lewis
1999 / TB / DT / #99
Warren Sapp
1998 / GB / DE / #92
Reggie White
1997 / SF / DT / #94
Dana Stubblefield
1996 / BUF / DE / #78
Bruce Smith
1995 / BUF / LB / #95
Bryce Paup
1994 / SF / CB / #21
Deion Sanders
1993 / PIT / CB / #26
Rod Woodson
1992 / SEA / DT / #99
Cortez Kennedy
1991 / NO / LB / #56
Pat Swilling
1990 / BUF / DE / #78
Bruce Smith
1989 / MIN / DT / #75
Keith Millard
1988 / CHI / LB / #50
Mike Singletary
1987 / PHI / DE / #92
Reggie White
1986 / NYG / LB / #56
Lawrence Taylor
1985 / CHI / LB / #50
Mike Singletary
1984 / SEA / S / #45
Kenny Easley
1983 / MIA / DE / #75
Doug Betters
1982 / NYG / LB / #56
Lawrence Taylor
1981 / NYG / LB / #56
Lawrence Taylor
1980 / OAK / CB / #37
Lester Hayes
1979 / TB / DE / #63
Lee Roy Selmon
1978 / DEN / LB / #53
Randy Gradishar
1977 / DAL / DE / #79
Harvey Martin
1976 / PIT / LB / #58
Jack Lambert
1975 / PIT / CB / #47
Mel Blount
1974 / PIT / DT / #75
Joe Greene
1973 / MIA / S / #40
Dick Anderson
1972 / PIT / DT / #75
Joe Greene
1971 / MIN / DT / #88
Alan Page

Tommy Fradenburg is a freelance writer and an alumni of UNC Chapel Hill currently based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He religiously follows his favorite teams The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys (yes, he knows) as well as his alma mater the Tar Heels and West Ham United F.C. in the Premier League. See more of his work on Twitter @tommyfradenburg.

More must-reads:

Quiz of the Day Newsletter

If you enjoy sports quizzes, you'll love Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day Newsletter, home to the best sports quizzes anywhere.

  • Join the thousands of sports fans who are already addicted.
  • Challenge your friends, or play solo.
  • Always free!

Subscribe now!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.