Who wins AP Defensive Player of the Year?

[Messiah]

For all the talk about MVPs and offensive standouts, there haven't been a lot of defensive standouts. Robert Quinn (a pass rushing beast), Muhammad Wilkerson (second to only JJ Watt at 3-4 DE), and JJ Watt (leads the NFL in TFLs) are playing great but are on bad football teams and Quinn's sack numbers aren't that eye popping. At least not enough to overcome the team he is on. Justin Houston was playing very nice defense too but he's currently injured.

Here are, IMO, the main candidates in no order.

S, Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks - With all due respect to Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas is the top player in the Legion of Boom. He has wicked range for a safety, plays the run exceptionally well, and covers ground in the pass game better than any other safety in the NFL. However, he is a DB and it takes a lot for that position to win this award. Plus he doesn't get much pub, either.

LB, Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers - Gets a bunch of publicity having already won DROY, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 6 PDs, 8 TFLs, and is the star player on the best defense in the NFL.

OLB, Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts - Currently leads the NFL in sacks and has gotten a lot of pub recently. However, the Colts defense simply isn't all that good and nothing feels particularly special about his season, either.

OLB, Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs - With his injury, I doubt it. However, I think he was the front runner beforehand. Amazing pass rusher.

[Everlong]

Yeah, I'd give it to Thomas or Kuechly at this point. Really splitting hairs between the two of them. I think Kuechly probably is the more important player to his defense, but both have been absolutely outstanding. It's actually criminal how little publicity Thomas gets in comparison to Sherman, who is overrated because of his boisterous nature.

A third candidate who you haven't listed is Deandre Levy (former Badger!!) who has been tearing it up with the Lions this year.

[Messiah]

JJ Watt has more QB hits this year than anyone since 2006. Beast.

[Kyle]

My top 3 would be Kuechly, Houston, and Mathis.

[HFX]

My money is obviously on Earl Thomas though if Kuechly won it I wouldn't be upset. Carolina has a beast of a defense and he's a big reason why.

[ShaneOfan]

My money is on Kuechly. I mean he has helped his team immensely this year. The Panthers went from a team who most people thought would finish third in their division they now have a good chance to win it. At the very least they will make the wildcard. (To miss out they would need to loose both of their next two and have Arizona win both of their next two.) He has played a huge factor in that.

[motionmann]

I'm pretty positive Kuechly and Sherman separated themselves yesterday as the top two candidates. Which now can go either way. Both had BEASTS of games.

[The Legend]

To me for publicity purposes it will come down to the leader on the Chiefs, Seahawks or Panthers because those defenses have been pushed as the best. I'll put my money on Kuechly or Sherman depending on which one will win their respective division or both.