Defensive Player of the Year is not historically a cornerback award. Dating back all the way to 1995, only two cornerbacks have been bestowed the accolade: Charles Woodson in 2009 and Stephon Gilmore in 2019.
Typically, the DPoY award is reserved for players with gaudy tackle, sack, or interception numbers elsewhere on the defense. It takes a down year in dominant pass rushers and a special season for a corner to win the accolade.
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is in the conversation to break that trend, playing elite football this season. On a special midseason awards episode of The Athletic Football Sho w , ESPN ‘s Bill Barnwell stood on the podium and argued that Surtain is in play for DPoY…