Calais Campbell Should Win NFL Defensive Player of the Year

            After selecting my winner for NFL MVP on Tuesday, here is a look at the top Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) candidates.

            The 2017 DPOY race was fiercely competitive with several players worthy of recognition. Last year, it essentially came down to the Oakland Raiders’ Khalil Mack versus the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller—with Mack narrowly winning the award for leading the Raiders to an unexpected playoff appearance as Miller’s Broncos failed to reach the postseason. This season, three defensive stalwarts stand above the rest.

(3) Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, New Orleans Saints

After years of the Saints’ defense being anywhere from mediocre to flat-out terrible, this year’s unit has enjoyed a renaissance. Jordan is the stabilizing force of the transformation, as the defense finally delivered on its end of the bargain for a franchise that has seemingly been lost on that side of the ball since its 2009 Super Bowl campaign. The Saints’ stellar defensive play coincided with the team’s willingness to adopt to a run-first offense behind Pro Bowlers Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, the rookie sensation—even with all-time great Drew Brees still under center.

Jordan wrecked havoc on opposing offenses, registering career-highs in sacks (13) and passes defended (12). The 2011 first-round pick is one of the top pass rushers in the league and enjoyed his best season as a pro.

Cameron Jordan led the New Orleans Saints to their first NFC South title since 2011. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Unmatched versatility, Jordan is also arguably the best run-defending edge in the league. He recorded 17 tackles for a loss—tied for the third most in the NFL.  

(2) Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Rams

            The most explosive defensive tackle in the NFL, Donald has been a top-tier player for each of his first four seasons in the league. He is guiding the Rams’ defensive attack, which complements the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. He has the respect of his peers, including division-rival and Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson, who called Donald, “the best defensive player” in football.

            Appearing in 14 games—missing one to injury and another to rest in Week 17—Donald led all interior rushers with 11 sacks. He forced five fumbles, tied for the second most in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, Donald had 91 pressures in 2017.

            With the NFC West champion Rams on the rise and in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years, Donald’s chances to receive the DPOY award are better than ever before. He finished fourth in DPOY voting last season and came in second in 2015. Many voters will put Donald atop their list, and it’s hard to imagine him finishing outside the top-3 in any ballot. However, if I had a vote, it would go to the player who jumpstarted the Jacksonville defensive dominance, transforming the Jaguars from a laughingstock to a legitimate Super Bowl contender...

(1) Calais Campbell, Defensive End, Jacksonville Jaguars

            The unequivocal leader of the best defense in the NFL, Campbell has been worth every penny of the four-year, $60 million deal the Jaguars dished his way in the offseason. Campbell had a career-best 14.5 sacks—second only to former teammate Chandler Jones—after failing to hit the double-digit mark in sacks in the first nine years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. He forced three fumbles and recovered one for a touchdown for a Jaguars defense that ranked second in turnovers forced (21).

Campbell scored a touchdown against his former team in Week 12. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)

            The Jaguars were second in total defense (both in yards and points allowed), trailing only the Minnesota Vikings. Jacksonville relies on its defense to win games, as their offense is nothing special (some of the team’s stats, such as their sixth-ranked offense, are misleading as the defense scored five touchdowns of its own and created many more scoring opportunities), despite improved play from QB Blake Bortles and a terrific rookie campaign from halfback Leonard Fournette.

            Renowned for his flexibility as a player, Campbell can be used in various defensive packages and provides a vocal leader with proven success in the clubhouse. Campbell helped the AFC South champion Jaguars reach the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, as the franchise has its eyes set on its first Super Bowl appearance in team history.