Rod Woodson, CB
After a 16 year hiatus, another Steelers defensive player rose to the occasion, winning the award again. In 1987 the Steelers drafted Rod Woodson with their first overall selection. However, contract negotiations stalled, and he was a no-show in training camp and missed half of the 1987 season.
At one point, he threatened he would not sign and try to make the U.S. Olympic team for the 1988 Seoul games. They finally came to terms, and Rod played an abbreviated rookie season. Rod not only had terrifying speed for a cornerback, but his playing style also reminded fans of the glory days of the 70s.
At the top of his game, in 1993, he finally won the Defensive Player of the Year award. He had a career-high of eight interceptions, one for a touchdown and 138 interception return yards, including two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two sacks, and 95 solo tackles.
Rod still holds the NFL record for the most career interceptions for a touchdown. Despite playing in the 90s he always wished the NFL would go back to the rules before 1978 when you could hang on the receiver going down the field. Nonetheless, he was one of the most dominant cornerbacks between the late 1980s and early 2000s. He played in 11 Pro-Bowls was a six-time All-Pro; he did manage one Superbowl ring; however, it came with the Raiders in 2002.