Defensive Player of the Year: Markus Golden

Golden was on a one-year, prove-it deal with the Giants, and he did just that.

Golden played in all 16 games and recorded 10 sacks on the season to go along with 72 total tackles. The double-digit sacks were the first by a Giants linebacker since Lawrence Taylor.

Even during games where Golden didn’t get a sack, his presence was felt by bringing non-stop pressure every single game.

Golden looked like the player that the Arizona Cardinals had back in 2016 when he had 12.5 sacks. In 11 of the 16 games, Golden had at least a half sack.

With the season Golden had, he deserves a long-term deal and if the Giants were smart on this, they’d make sure to lock Golden up before he ever hits the open market in March.