Myles Garrett Leads Five Edge Rushers Nominated for Defensive Player of the Year
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has made headlines in the NFL by shattering records. He is the frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year award, having achieved a remarkable 23 sacks this season. The league announced five nominees for this prestigious title, all of whom are edge rushers, highlighting the dominance of pass rushers in this category.
Myles Garrett and the Finalists
The finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year include:
- Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns) – 23 sacks
- Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions) – 14.5 sacks
- Nik Bonitto (Denver Broncos) – 14 sacks
- Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers) – 12.5 sacks
- Will Anderson (Houston Texans) – 12 sacks
Garrett’s ability to pressure quarterbacks has set a new standard in the league this season. His achievement of 23 sacks has raised questions about the criteria used by voters in acknowledging defensive excellence.
Criticism of Voter Trends
The voting panel that selects the Defensive Player of the Year also ranks players for the All-Pro team. Interestingly, Aidan Hutchinson and Nik Bonitto were ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, among edge rushers, despite their inclusion in the top five defensive players overall. This discrepancy raises questions about the criteria used for these rankings.
The current reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II, represents a rare exception as a secondary player. This season, however, the emphasis remains on edge rushers, suggesting a possible bias among voters.
Looking Ahead
The NFL Honors ceremony will reveal the winner of the Defensive Player of the Year title. It seems increasingly likely that the award will go to Myles Garrett, a prospect welcomed by fans and analysts alike. However, it is also evident that other positions, such as interior defensive linemen, inside linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties, remain overlooked in this competitive field.
