Detroit Lions: Handing Out Awards for the 2016 Season
By Zac Snyder
Defensive Player of the Year: Darius Slay
Our first category in which the winner did not sweep the first place votes where Darius Slay came away with five out of six. Slay wasn’t really challenged in the overall point total, but Glover Quin, who finished third in the category, did receive one first place vote.
| Name | First | Second | Third | Points |
| Darius Slay | 5 | 1 | 17 | |
| Kerry Hyder | 4 | 2 | 10 | |
| Glover Quin | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Tavon Wilson | 1 | 1 | ||
| Ziggy Ansah | 1 | 1 |
Perhaps interesting to note is that only five total names were listed, making this the second-least diverse category for voting.
Slay got a contract extension before the season and, if there was any doubt, proved it was the right decision. The Lions could make upgrading at cornerback in the offseason but that would be to complement what they already have in Slay.
In a year in which big plays on defense were few and far between, Kerry Hyder was one player who stood out and his contributions were well-recognized by voters. Hyder joined Slay as the only player named on all six ballots.
Hyder’s position was well-earned as the defensive line was a disappointment for much of the season for a variety of reasons. Ziggy Ansah was slowed by injury, Devin Taylor failed to step up like many predicted and hoped and the interior of the line was not much of a pass rushing threat.