If someone wants the Defensive Player of the Year award they are going to have to take it from Myles Garrett, so good luck

Its going to be tough for anyone to take the Defensive Player of the Year award from Myles Garrett, but never say never.

Brandon Little, Destin Adams, Evan Winter, Rob Gregson, Tyler Forness
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Browns Edge Myles Garrett
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With the NFL season halfway done, our team at A to Z Sports decided to vote on who should win each of the major NFL awards. Over the next week, we’ll release one article per day, covering each award. This article will cover the Defensive Player of the Year award.

A panel of four writers was selected for each award, and we attempted to exclude the primary beat reporters for the top-five favorites by betting odds in each category. That way, we’ll minimize bias in the voting as much as possible.

And speaking of voting, we copied the NFL’s MVP point system, where first-place votes result in 10 points, second-place votes receive five points, third-place votes get three points, fourth-place votes are worth two points, and fifth-place votes are worth one point. Obviously, the player with the most points wins the award.

For the Defensive Player of the Year, our panel includes Tyler Forness, Rob Gregson, Evan Winter, and Destin Adams.

A to Z Sports midseason Defensive Player of the Year voting

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

“Look no further than a five-sack game against the New England Patriots as to why Garrett is my midseason winner. He already has double-digit sacks on the season, and he looks like the former DPOY that he is. What’s most impressive when watching Garrett vs the pass protecting assets that teams assign to him, and the way he still finds to make an impact. Outside of the Steelers game, there aren’t a lot of reps on Garrett’s tape where you see him lose in a true one-on-one battle.” – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Pittsburgh

Final voting results

  1. Myles Garrett: 40 points (4)
  2. Nick Bonitto: 15 points
  3. Will Anderson Jr.: 11 points

Defensive Player of the Year winner: Myles Garrett

“Myles Garrett already has a Defensive Player of the Year award under his belt, and he’s been the most deserving candidate to win it again this season. There isn’t a defensive player in the NFL that opponents game-plan for more than Garrett. Even with all the attention he draws, he continues to do incredible things on the field. Two weeks ago, Garrett recorded five sacks against the New England Patriots before the Browns’ bye week, bringing his season total to 10. The superstar pass rusher might be on pace for his most productive season yet.

Garrett’s best statistical year came in 2021, when he posted 16 sacks and 52 pressures but still didn’t take home Defensive Player of the Year honors. The only thing that can hold the Browns back from being the league’s best defense this season is a lack of complementary football. Still, Garrett is leading the charge and remains a true game wrecker through the first eight games. After signing a new deal this offseason worth $40 million per year, Garrett looks poised to surpass his career high in sacks in a season (16) and make another strong push for DPOY—even on a struggling team.” – Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Cleveland and Ohio State

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