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The 'NFL Defensive Players of the Year' quiz

Created on April 6, 2026 | Total tries: 0 | Average Score: 0.0 out of 55 (0%) | Quiz FAQ

After a decorated 13-year NFL career, cornerback Stephon Gilmore is officially calling it a career.

The 35 year old out of South Carolina was drafted 10th-overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2012, spending the first five years of his career in Western New York before joining division-rival New England in Free Agency ahead of 2017.

While he was good with the Bills – intercepting 14 passes and defending 62 – his best years came in New England. In 2018 he made his first first-team All-Pro appearance helping the Patriots lift the Lombardi Trophy with an interception and five tackles in the 13-3 win over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. In 2019 he led the NFL in both picks (six) and passes defended (20) en route to Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Once his time in New England was over, Gilmore spent single seasons with the Panthers, Colts, Cowboys and Vikings and recorded at least one interception with each club before spending all of 2025 as a free agent.

Which brings us to today’s quiz. How many of the players to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year since 1971 can you name in six minutes?

Good luck!

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Quiz Clue: Year / Team / Position / Jersey # | Created on April 6, 2026 | Total tries: 0 | Average Score: 0.0 out of 55 (0%) | Quiz FAQ

SCORE:
0/55

TIME:
6:00

2025 / CLE / DE / #95

2024 / DEN / CB / #2

2023 / CLE / DE / #95

2022 / SF / DE / #97

2021 / PIT / LB / #90

2020 / LAR / DE / #99

2019 / NE / CB / #24

2018 / LAR / DE / #99

2017 / LAR / DE / #99

2016 / OAK / DE / #52

2015 / HOU / DE / #99

2014 / HOU / DE / #99

2013 / CAR / LB / #59

2012 / HOU / DE / #99

2011 / BAL / LB / #55

2010 / PIT / S / #43

2009 / GB / CB / #21

2008 / PIT / LB / #92

2007 / IND / S / #21

2006 / MIA / DE / #99

2005 / CHI / LB / #54

2004 / BAL / S / #20

2003 / BAL / LB / #52

2002 / TB / LB / #55

2001 / NYG / DE / #92

2000 / BAL / LB / #52

1999 / TB / DT / #99

1998 / GB / DE / #92

1997 / SF / DT / #94

1996 / BUF / DE / #78

1995 / BUF / LB / #95

1994 / SF / CB / #21

1993 / PIT / CB / #26

1992 / SEA / DT / #99

1991 / NO / LB / #56

1990 / BUF / DE / #78

1989 / MIN / DT / #75

1988 / CHI / LB / #50

1987 / PHI / DE / #92

1986 / NYG / LB / #56

1985 / CHI / LB / #50

1984 / SEA / S / #45

1983 / MIA / DE / #75

1982 / NYG / LB / #56

1981 / NYG / LB / #56

1980 / OAK / CB / #37

1979 / TB / DE / #63

1978 / DEN / LB / #53

1977 / DAL / DE / #79

1976 / PIT / LB / #58

1975 / PIT / CB / #47

1974 / PIT / DT / #75

1973 / MIA / S / #40

1972 / PIT / DT / #75

1971 / MIN / DT / #88

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.

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