Which award is given to the NFL's best defensive player?

The award given to the NFL's best defensive player is the AP Defensive Player of the Year. Presented by the Associated Press, it honors the defender judged to have produced the NFL's most outstanding season, regardless of position.

The award was first presented after the 1971 season. Winners have included linebackers, defensive linemen, cornerbacks, and safeties, reflecting the many ways a player can dominate a defense. Voters consider more than sack totals: interceptions, tackles, forced fumbles, run defense, coverage, pressures, turnovers, and a player's overall influence can all shape the decision.

The winner is selected by a panel of 50 AP sportswriters. Since 2011, the award has been presented during NFL Honors, the league's annual awards ceremony held near the Super Bowl. It is separate from the AP NFL Most Valuable Player and AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards.

Lawrence Taylor, J.J. Watt, and Aaron Donald have each won the award three times, the record for most victories. Only Alan Page and Taylor have won both the AP Defensive Player of the Year and AP MVP in the same season.