Defensive Player Of The Year: Josh Norman

It wasn’t a great year by any means for the Redskins defense.

- Chris Russell

The statistics across the board for a full 16 games weren’t good in a lot of key areas. They weren’t terrible as many describe them and many numbers and facts that back it up.

They were a defense that did not allow a second half touchdown seven times on the year, including in six wins. They pitched two complete defensive shutouts in the second-half of games in 2016, and almost had a third in Chicago if not for a last-minute, garbage-time touchdown.

One major reason for that resiliency is Warpath’s Defensive Player of the Year – Josh Norman.

There was only one other possible choice and that was Ryan Kerrigan, who finished with 11 sacks despite playing hurt down the stretch.

Norman, is an easy selection in his first year with the Redskins. Quite honestly, if he wasn’t the selection, that would have been disappointing.

He was fifth in the NFL in passes defended at 19,tied with Robert Alford of Atlanta, per NFLGSIS (the league’s official statistical service). Norman finished with 67 combined tackles and 52 solo stops.

Norman only had three interceptions, but probably should have had at least six. He was close to picks against the Giants in both games and had several opportunities against the Bengals in London.