NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Chase Young
Unlike Offensive Player of the Year, there doesn’t seem to be many age-related trends with Defensive Player of the Year. However, there seems to be a position-related one.
The last seven DPOY awards have all gone to defensive linemen, excluding when Stephon Gilmore won it in 2019. Of course, Aaron Donald was a three-time winner in that span and J.J. Watt was a two-time winner. While Watt won the award within his first five seasons, Donald won all three within the latest four years of his seven-year career.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume anyone can win it at any time. Great, that totally helps this exercise. I just have to stick with my gut and pick Young. In case you haven’t heard, he’s a good football player. Here’s what I said yesterday about him:
"“It’s almost too easy to say Young will be Washington’s best player in five years. Let’s take it a step further: I think he’ll be the best edge rusher in the NFL and one of the best overall players in the game.”"
Aside from the active candidates I listed below, I think Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux — a potential top draft choice in 2022 — will be in consideration down the road.
Other Active Candidates: Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa, Devin White