DROY

Sports abbreviation · American Football

DROY
Stands forDefensive Rookie of the Year
CategoriesSports

DROY stands for Defensive Rookie of the Year, an American football abbreviation.

Annual NFL award for the best first-year defensive player, voted by the Associated Press panel. Edge rushers, linebackers and cornerbacks have won it most often.

Example: Lawrence Taylor won DROY in 1981 and was named league MVP five years later.

Usage notes

Taylor also won Defensive Player of the Year as a rookie in 1981, a unique double. Other notable winners include Aaron Donald (2014) and Sauce Gardner (2022). The award is presented at NFL Honors alongside the other AP honors.

More American football abbreviations

  • CPOY – Comeback Player of the Year
  • DB – Defensive back
  • DC – Defensive coordinator
  • DE – Defensive end
  • DL – Defensive line
  • DPI – Defensive pass interference
  • DST – Defense/special teams
  • DT – Defensive tackle
  • EPA – Expected points added
  • FA – Free agent
  • FB – Fullback
  • FBS – Football Bowl Subdivision

See all 80 American football abbreviations →

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