Photo by Ray Carlin-Imagn Images

The 'Defensive Rookies of the Year' quiz

Created on January 23, 2026 | Total tries: 1 | Average Score: 9.0 out of 25 (36%) | Quiz FAQ

Happy 39th birthday to one-time Pro Bowler and 2009 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, Brian Cushing!

The Houston Texans drafted Cushing 15th-overall in the 2009 NFL Draft out of USC, and the linebacker racked up 112 total tackles, four sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in his first professional season.

While his rookie year was easily his most productive, Cushing would go on to play 104 games in nine seasons for the Texans, retiring after 2017 with 664 tackles, 13.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and eight interceptions.

Which brings us to today’s quiz. How many of the players to be named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year since 2000 can you name in five minutes?

Good luck!

Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!

Quiz Clue: Season / Team / Position / Jersey # | Created on January 23, 2026 | Total tries: 1 | Average Score: 9.0 out of 25 (36%) | Quiz FAQ

SCORE:
0/25

TIME:
5:00

2024 / LAR / LB / #8

2023 / HOU / DE / #51

2022 / NYJ / CB / #1

2021 / DAL / LB / #11

2020 / WAS / DE / #99

2019 / SF / DE / #97

2018 / IND / LB / #53

2017 / NO / CB / #23

2016 / SD / DE / #99

2015 / KC / CB / #22

2014 / STL / DT / #99

2013 / NYJ / DE / #91

2012 / CAR / LB / #59

2011 / DEN / LB / #58

2010 / DET / DT / #90

2009 / HOU / LB / #56

2008 / NE / LB / #51

2007 / SF / LB / #52

2006 / HOU / LB / #59

2005 / SD / LB / #56

2004 / NYJ / LB / #51

2003 / BAL / LB / #55

2002 / CAR / DE / #90

2001 / PIT / LB / #97

2000 / CHI / LB / #54

Tommy Fradenburg is a freelance writer and an alumni of UNC Chapel Hill currently based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He religiously follows his favorite teams The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys (yes, he knows) as well as his alma mater the Tar Heels and West Ham United F.C. in the Premier League. See more of his work on Twitter @tommyfradenburg.

More must-reads: