Detroit Lions tackle Ndamukong Suh has won The Associated Press 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

The only rookie on the All-Pro team, Suh validated Detroit selecting him second overall in last April's draft. He earned 48 votes from a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league. New England cornerback Devin McCourty drew the other two votes.

Detroit won its final four games to finish 6-10, triple the number of victories the Lions managed in the previous two seasons combined. Suh was a major reason with 10 sacks, the most at the position, veteran or rookie, and 66 tackles.

Suh is the first Lion to grab the honor since Al Baker in 1978.

He's also the first non-linebacker to win since Julius Peppers in 2002.