PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has been named one of the five finalists for this year's AP Defensive Player of the Year Award. T.J. Watt, Zack Baun, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendricksen, and Patrick Surtain II are the finalists for the award this year.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson beat out Browns defensive end Myles Garrett to claim the sack title for this season with 17.5. Hendrickson now h

After winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award a year ago, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is once again a finalist.

Surtain, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was also honored as a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the second time in his career. On Monday, he was one of four Bronco players, including outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, punt returner Marvin Mims Jr. and right guard Quinn Meinerz, to be named to the PFWA’s All-NFL team.

Former Wisconsin Badgers Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles) and T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers) were named finalists for the AP Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday.

During the regular season, Baun recorded 151 tackles to go along with 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four passes defended, and one interception. He has already been named to the Pro Bowl and has been nominated as a first-team All-Pro player.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was named a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. Watt, who was a longtime favorite to win the award but has now dropped in odds, had at least one vote go his way to earn his way onto the finalist panel.