Dawgs By Nature
Power ranking defenders seems to start with Browns Myles Garrett the last few years
For years, it was clear that DT Aaron Donald was the best defensive player in the NFL. In general, that was widely agreed to and assumed even if he wasn’t getting all of the awards. Since Donald’s retirement, Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett has clearly assumed that title.
Last year, Garrett pulled in his first AP Defensive Player of the Year while garnering the award for basically all the outlets that present DPOY including The Sporting News and Pro Football Writers of America. This year, Garrett is among five finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year award through the AP, the one the NFL officially recognizes.
While that award won’t be given out until NFL Honors, Garrett once again was named The Sports News’ DPOY joining Cleveland legend Jim Brown as the only Browns player to win one of their awards in back-to-back seasons.
The history of Sports News’ awards goes way back:
The Sporting News, which was established in 1886, presented its first NFL Player of the Year in 1964 to Browns OT/K Lou Groza. Then, in 2008 The Sporting News began awarding Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Since its inception, five Browns players have earned accolades from The Sporting News.
More than 800 players cast their vote, the most ever, with Garrett receiving over a quarter of those for the defensive award. While it is a different set of voters for each award, it will be interesting if this one is a precursor to the AP’s version at NFL Honors.
Do you think Garrett is the clear best defender in the NFL overall like Donald was? Do you think he’ll win this year’s AP DPOY award as well?
