Who will win 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year? The best NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates in 2022 are all hoping to make a strong impact on their side of the field. Most of the all-time great defensive playmakers have taken home this award, indicating they were the best overall defensive player in the league for a full season. Whether it's through sacks, tackles, interceptions, hurries, or pass breakups on the deep ball, these 2022 NFL DPOY candidates are among the best players in the NFL in 2022. Who is the NFL's best defensive player in 2022? Who should win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022?
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Arizona Cardinals' defensive end J.J. Watt are the only two active players to win NFL DPOY multiple times, with a record-tying three each. Other players like Myles Garrett and Chase Young are hoping to capture their first DPOY NFL award. The NFL is never short of talented defensive players and the competition will be stronger than ever this season, with players like Micah Parsons, Joey Bosa, and Khalil Mack all in the running.
Make your 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year predictions below, voting up the defenders you think have the best chance of competing for the '22 NFL DPOY award and voting down the defenders who shouldn't be near the top of the list.
The backbone of the Dallas Cowboys defense, linebacker Micah Parsons exploded onto the field in his rookie season. Not only did Parson manage to rack up 13 sacks and a staggering 84 combined tackles, but he also managed to singlehandedly shift the tides of the Cowboy's defense, making one of the laughing stocks of the league into one of the juggernauts. Parsons's impact on the field is immeasurable, however, if he wishes to take home the Defensive Player of the Year award, he is going to need to drastically increase his sack numbers while keeping his total tackles at that staggeringly high number.
Defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa has the comeback season of a lifetime during the 2021 campaign. While he managed to miss all but 2 games during 2020, Bosa exploded onto the scene, accumulating the 4th most sacks of the season with 15.5, and combining to make 52 total tackles. Bosa more than lived up to the hype he had coming out of college, and entering his 4th season fully healthy, fans should expect another massive jump in production, a jump so high that it could see him taking home the Defensive Player of the Year award.
The reigning defensive player of the year from both the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America, outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers T.J. Watt had a phenomenal 2021 season. Racking up 22.5 sacks, and 64 total tackles with 21 of them being for losses. Watt was universally agreed upon as the best defensive player in football, and entering his 5th year in the league, Watt is smack in the middle of his prime and is poised to have another stellar season. While it will be hard to top last year, if Watt can equal or total those numbers, he will be a lock for the Defensive Player of the Year.
Much like his teammate Micah Parson, Trevon Diggs has helped redefine and change the culture of the Dallas Cowboys. The elite cornerback made one of the biggest year one to two jumps, registering a league-leading 11 interceptions for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. Adding on top of this a rather impressive 43 solo tackles, Diggs cemented himself as one of the best defensive players in all of football in his sophomore season, and he only looks to continue trending upwards. While it may be difficult to steal some of the DPOY shine from his teammate, the playful in-team rivalry may force both players to become the absolute best versions of themselves.
Coming off of his incredible Super Bowl-winning season, Von Miller showcased to the world that he is still one of the best defensive football players in the world. Accumulating 9.5 sacks and 50 total tackles, Miller was a force on the field. Now, with a new home in the Buffalo Bills, Miller will be looking to take the reigns of the team, and showcase that it was him who was the gamechanger for the Rams.
Entering his sixth season in the NFL, defensive end Myles Garrett has drastically improved every single season in the league. Rattling off a career-high 16 sacks and 51 combined tackles in 2021, Garrett is proving himself to be a force on the defensive end. With the Cleveland Brown's new emphasis on the defensive side of the ball and Garrett taking on his role of leadership, many expect to see a career season from Garrett, and if he is able to live up to the gaudy expectations at his feet, he will be able to take away his first ever Defensive Player of the Year award.
