2023: CB Deonte Banks, Giants
Banks has spent his first three years with the Giants and had a consistent starting role in his first two seasons as he started all 29 games played. Then in 2025, Banks saw his role shift, as he started six of 16 games played, and established himself as a kickoff returner. In 2025, he recorded 31 tackles and five passes defensed and also returned 19 kickoffs for 622 yards and a touchdown.
2022: OL Tyler Smith, Cowboys
In his four seasons with the Cowboys, Smith has been a consistent starter for Dallas as he has started all 63 games played. He has also moved around the offensive line, playing at left tackle and left guard. According to PFF, Smith played 1,110 offensive snaps during the 2025 season, taking snaps at both left guard and left tackle. He allowed 26 total pressures in pass protection, including three sacks and zero hits allowed to opposing pass rushers. Smith cemented himself as a piece of the Cowboys' offensive line for the future as well, as he signed a four-year contract extension in 2025.
2021: RB Najee Harris, Steelers
Harris spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Steelers and established himself as a durable player, starting all 68 regular-season games. Over those four seasons, he recorded 1,097 carries for 4,312 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns – topping 1,000 yards in each of those seasons. He also added 180 receptions for 1,149 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He then signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in free agency in 2025 but only played in three games before he sustained an Achilles injury in Week 3 and missed the remainder of the season.