Myles Garrett didn’t just win Defensive Player of the Year - he owned it.
The Cleveland Browns’ star edge rusher put together a season for the ages in 2025, racking up a jaw-dropping 23 sacks and earning every single one of the 50 first-place votes for the NFL’s most prestigious defensive award. That’s a perfect 500 points in the voting - a clean sweep that speaks volumes about how dominant Garrett was from start to finish.
Garrett was a one-man wrecking crew off the edge, the kind of player who forces offensive coordinators to rewrite their game plans every week. Whether it was collapsing the pocket, blowing up run plays, or simply commanding double teams that freed up his teammates, Garrett's impact went far beyond the stat sheet - though the stats were historic in their own right.
Behind him, the race for second place was a bit more open, but Houston’s Will Anderson Jr. emerged as the clear runner-up. Anderson notched 12 sacks across 17 starts and was named a first-team All-Pro alongside Garrett.
The 2023 No. 3 overall pick took a big leap in his sophomore season, combining speed and power in a way that made him a nightmare for tackles on both sides. His growth into a true game-wrecker was a major reason Houston’s defense took a step forward this year.
Coming in third was Micah Parsons, now with the Green Bay Packers. Parsons only played in 14 games after tearing his ACL in Week 15 against Denver, but he still managed to rack up 12.5 sacks and earn first-team All-Pro honors.
That tells you just how impactful he was - even in a shortened season, Parsons was a difference-maker every time he stepped on the field. His blend of explosiveness, versatility, and football IQ is rare, and the voters clearly didn’t forget what he did before the injury.
Here’s how the top five in the DPOY voting shook out:
- 500 points - Myles Garrett, EDGE, Cleveland
- 177 points - Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Houston
- 63 points - Micah Parsons, EDGE, Green Bay
- 52 points - Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Denver
- 42 points - Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Detroit
Nik Bonitto’s fourth-place finish raised some eyebrows, especially considering he didn’t crack either the first or second-team Associated Press All-Pro list. Still, he was recognized by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) as an All-Pro - though it's worth noting that PFWA splits their edge defenders between defensive ends and outside linebackers, which can sometimes shake things up a bit.
Aidan Hutchinson rounded out the top five, and while he did land on the AP second-team All-Pro list, his 2025 season was more about steady disruption than eye-popping sack totals. Still, his presence off the edge for Detroit remained a consistent problem for opposing offenses.
Also worth mentioning: Danielle Hunter and Brian Burns - both second-team All-Pros - didn’t make the top five in DPOY voting, but their seasons were nothing short of elite. The edge position across the league is loaded right now, and the fact that players of their caliber didn’t crack the top five just shows how deep the talent pool is.
As for Parsons, his third-place finish despite the injury-shortened season is a testament to how feared and respected he is across the league. If he’s back to full strength in 2026, don’t be surprised if he’s right back in the thick of the DPOY conversation - if not leading it.
But for now, this award belongs to Myles Garrett. And after the season he just had, it’s hard to argue he didn’t earn every bit of it.