NFL Defensive Player of the Year List

• Lawrence Taylor: 1981, 1982, 1986
• J.J. Watt: 2012, 2014, 2015
• Aaron Donald: 2017, 2018, 2020

Only three players in the NFL's history have claimed the "Defensive Player of the Year" award three times. Lawrence Taylor was the first, winning the treble throughout the 80s. Taylor was an absolute monster and was known for his intensity and hard hits. There will probably never be a defensive player as fierce as Lawrence Taylor.

J.J. Watt also won three DPOYs from 2012-2015. At that point in his career it looked as though Watt was on pace to be the greatest defensive player in history of the game. Unfortunately, injuries cut several of his seasons and ultimately his career short.

Aaron Donald has been terrifying quarterbacks since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, and has been rewarded handsomely for it. He claimed his third DPOY after an incredible 2020 campaign. Donald remains one of the best players in the NFL and arguably one of the best defensive players ever.

• Alan Page: 1971
• Team: Minnesota Vikings
• Stats: Three fumble recoveries, nine sacks, two safeties

Alan Page is a legendary figure in the world of professional American football. Known for his remarkable career and contributions to the game, Page left an indelible mark as one of the most dominant defensive players of his era.

Born on August 7, 1945, in Canton, Ohio, Page played college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he became a standout defensive tackle. He was a key member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish team that won the national championship in 1966.

What sets Alan Page apart is not only his remarkable football career but also his post-football achievements. After retiring from football, Page pursued a successful career in law. He attended the University of Minnesota Law School while still playing in the NFL and went on to become an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, serving from 1993 to 2015.