2015 POD Awards: Defensive Player of the Year

Next up for the 2015 POD Awards is the category for the Detroit Lions' Defensive Player of the Year. Here are the nominees:

Ziggy Ansah

Ansah's 14.5 sacks were good enough for the third-most in the league and earned him the distinction of being the only Lions defensive player to be named to the Pro Bowl. Ansah's impact went beyond the sacks. His final game against the Bears is a great example of how big of a game-changer Ansah was last season. His pressure on Jay Cutler forced two huge interceptions.

Darius Slay

From Week 8 to Week 13, Slay allowed a total of 35 receiving yards and a completion percentage of 30.8 percent. During that time, he completely shut down Amari Cooper, James Jones (twice) and Jeremy Maclin. Slay also led the team with 13 passes defended.

Glover Quin

Quinn started every game this season, pushing his streak of consecutive starts to 100. He had nearly half of the Lions' interceptions on the year (four of the team's nine). But Quin's true impact was really seen in his absence. After suffering a concussion in the first half of the Saints game, the Lions' secondary fell apart in the final two quarters. Quin's leadership in the secondary made the players around him better.