NFL Rookie of the Year Award - Definition and Overview

Since 1967 The Associated Press has given 2 annual Rookie of the Year Awards to NFL American football players - one for an offensive player, and one for a defensive player.

Offensive Rookies of the Year

• 1967 Mel Farr, Detroit Lions Running back
• 1968 Earl McCullouch, Detroit Lions Offensive end
• 1969 Calvin Hill, Dallas Cowboys RB
• 1970 Dennis Shaw, Buffalo Bills Quarterback
• 1971 John Brockington, Green Bay Packers RB
• 1972 Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers RB
• 1973 Chuck Foreman, Minnesota Vikings RB
• 1974 Don Woods, San Diego Chargers RB
• 1975 Mike Thomas, Washington Redskins RB
• 1976 Sammy White, Minnesota Vikings Wide receiver
• 1977 Tony Dorsett, Dallas Cowboys RB
• 1978 Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers RB
• 1979 Ottis Anderson, St.L RB
• 1980 Billy Sims, Detroit Lions Running back
• 1981 George Rogers, New Orleans Saints RB
• 1982 Marcus Allen, Raiders RB
• 1983 Eric Dickerson, Rams RB
• 1984 Louis Lipps, Pittsburgh Steelers WR
• 1985 Eddie Brown, Cincinnati Bengals WR
• 1986 Reuben Mayes, NO RB
• 1987 Troy Stradford, Miami Dolphins RB
• 1988 John Stephens, New England Patriots RB
• 1989 Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions Running back
• 1990 Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys RB
• 1991 Leonard Russell, NE RB
• 1992 Carl Pickens, CIN WR
• 1993 Jerome Bettis, Rams RB
• 1994 Marshall Faulk, Indianapolis Colts RB
• 1995 Curtis Martin, NE RB
• 1996 Eddie George, HOU RB
• 1997 Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB
• 1998 Randy Moss, MIN WR
• 1999 Edgerrin James, IND RB
• 2000 Mike Anderson, Denver Broncos RB
• 2001 Anthony Thomas, Chicago Bears RB
• 2002 Clinton Portis, DEN RB
• 2003 Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals WR
• 2004 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT QB

Defensive Rookies of the Year

• 1967 Lem Barney, DET Cornerback
• 1968 Claude Humphrey, Atlanta Falcons Defensive end
• 1969 Joe Greene, PIT Defensive tackle
• 1970 Bruce Taylor, SF CB
• 1971 Isiah Robertson, Rams Linebacker
• 1972 Willie Buchanon, GB CB
• 1973 Wally Chambers, CHI DT
• 1974 Jack Lambert, PIT LB
• 1975 Robert Brazile, HOU LB
• 1976 Mike Haynes, NE CB
• 1977 A.J. Duhe, MIA DE
• 1978 Al Baker, DET DE
• 1979 Jim Haslett, BUF LB
• 1980 Buddy Curry, ATL LB / Al Richardson ATL LB
• 1981 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB
• 1982 Chip Banks, Cleveland Browns LB
• 1983 Vernon Maxwell, Baltimore Colts LB
• 1984 Bill Maas, Kansas City Chiefs DT
• 1985 Duane Bickett, IND LB
• 1986 Leslie O'Neal, SD DE
• 1987 Shane Conlan, BUF LB
• 1988 Erik McMillan, New York Jets Safety
• 1989 Derrick Thomas, KC LB
• 1990 Mark Carrier, CHI S
• 1991 Mike Croel, DEN LB
• 1992 Dale Carter, KC CB
• 1993 Dana Stubblefield, SF DT
• 1994 Tim Bowens, MIA DT
• 1995 Hugh Douglas, NYJ DE
• 1996 Simeon Rice, ARI DE
• 1997 Peter Boulware, BAL LB
• 1998 Charles Woodson, Raiders CB
• 1999 Jevon Kearse, Tennessee Titans DE
• 2000 Brian Urlacher, CHI LB
• 2001 Kendrell Bell, PIT LB
• 2002 Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers DE
• 2003 Terrell Suggs, BAL LB
• 2004 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ LB