NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
| Year | Award Winner | Team | Position |
| 2007 | Patrick Willis | San Francisco 49ers | Linebacker |
| 2006 | DeMeco Ryans | Houston Texans | Linebacker |
| 2005 | Shawne Merriman | San Diego Chargers | Linebacker |
| 2004 | Jonathan Vilma | New York Jets | Linebacker |
| 2003 | Terrell Suggs | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker |
| 2002 | Julius Peppers | Carolina Panthers | Defensive End |
| 2001 | Kendrell Bell | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 2000 | Brian Urlacher | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1999 | Jevon Kearse | Tennessee Titans | Defensive End |
| 1998 | Charles Woodson | Oakland Raiders | Cornerback |
| 1997 | Peter Boulware | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker |
| 1996 | Simeon Rice | Arizona Cardinals | Defensive End |
| 1995 | Hugh Douglas | New York Jets | Defensive End |
| 1994 | Tim Bowens | Miami Dolphins | Defensive Tackle |
| 1993 | Dana Stubblefield | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive Tackle |
| 1992 | Dale Carter | Kansas City Chiefs | Cornerback |
| 1991 | Mike Croel | Denver Broncos | Linebacker |
| 1990 | Mark Carrier | Chicago Bears | Safety |
| 1989 | Derrick Thomas | Kansas City Chiefs | Linebacker |
| 1988 | Erik McMillan | New York Jets | Safety |
| 1987 | Shane Conlan | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker |
| 1986 | Leslie O'Neal | San Diego Chargers | Defensive End |
| 1985 | Duane Bickett | Indianapolis Colts | Linebacker |
| 1984 | Bill Maas | Kansas City Chiefs | Defensive Tackle |
| 1983 | Vernon Maxwell | Baltimore Colts | Linebacker |
| 1982 | Chip Banks | Cleveland Browns | Linebacker |
| 1981 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1980 | Buddy Curry & Al Richardson | Atlanta Falcons | Linebackers |
| 1979 | Jim Haslett | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker |
| 1978 | Al Baker | Detroit Lions | Defensive End |
| 1977 | A.J. Duhe | Miami Dolphins | Defensive End |
| 1976 | Mike Haynes | New England Patriots | Cornerback |
| 1975 | Robert Brazile | Houston Oilers | Linebacker |
| 1974 | Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 1973 | Wally Chambers | Chicago Bears | Defensive Tackle |
| 1972 | Willie Buchanon | Green Bay Packers | Cornerback |
| 1971 | Isiah Robertson | Los Angeles Rams | Linebacker |
| 1970 | Bruce Taylor | San Francisco 49ers | Cornerback |
| 1969 | Joe Greene | Pittsburgh Steelers | Defensive Tackle |
| 1968 | Claude Humphrey | Atlanta Falcons | Defensive End |
| 1967 | Lem Barney | Detroit Lions | Cornerback |