Who Will Win Defensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL?

The NFL season is just getting underway, but there are already a few frontrunners for the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year. Here’s a look at the top contenders and who will likely come out on top.

Derwin James

The Los Angeles Chargers rookie safety is one of the favorites to take home the DROY award this season. James has lived up to the hype that surrounded him leading up to the draft, and then some. He has quickly become a key cog in the Chargers’ secondary, and has shown himself to be a very talented player. If he keeps up his current level of play, he should be in line for a solid rookie season.

Background

Derwin James is an American football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State, and was drafted by the Chargers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Strengths

Derwin James is one of the most talented defensive backs in the NFL. His size, speed, and physicality allow him to match up with any type of receiver. He also has great ball skills, which was on display last season when he had four interceptions. James is a very smart player and does a good job of reading quarterbacks. He also does a good job of setting the edge against the run.

Weaknesses

James has some weaknesses in his game. He can get caught out of position at times, and he may not have the speed to keep up with some of the faster receivers in the NFL. He will also need to work on his tackling, as he can miss some tackles that he should make.

Bradley Chubb

In a class with a lot of studs, Chubb could easily be Rookie of the Year on defense. Chubb had 12 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss in his final year at NC State.

Background

Bradley Chubb was born on June 24, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he played football and ran track. In football, he was a three-time All-State selection and was named the Region Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He had 108 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior. He also ran track, competing in the shot put (top throw of 15.19 meters) and discus throw (top throw of 45.34 meters).

Chubb attended North Carolina State University, where he played for the NC State Wolfpack football team from 2014 to 2017. He was redshirted as a true freshman in 2014. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, he appeared in 12 games with one start and had 24 tackles and two sacks. As a sophomore in 2016, he started all 13 games and had 60 tackles and 5.5 sacks. As a junior in 2017, he started all 13 games and had 72 tackles (led the team), 10 sacks (led the team), 24 quarterback hurries (led the team), three forced fumbles (tied for the team lead)

Chubb was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Strengths

Bradley Chubb was drafted with the 5th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. He was considered one of the best prospects in the draft, and was seen as a good value pick at 5th overall. He is a physically gifted pass rusher, and has the potential to be a very good player in the NFL.

Chubb is strong against the run and is a good tackler. He has good size and speed, and is very athletic for his size. He is also a very good pass rusher, with a great first step and good technique. He should be able to make an immediate impact for the Broncos, and has a chance to be one of the best defensive rookies in the NFL.

Weaknesses

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While Chubb is an excellent pass rusher, he does have a few weaknesses. First, he can be a bit inconsistent. He sometimes gets caught up in the moment and goes for the big play instead of just making the tackle. Second, he can be undisciplined at times. He often bites on play fakes and run fakes, which can lead to big plays for the offense. Third, he can be overly aggressive. This can lead to him missing tackles or not being in position to make a play.

Minkah Fitzpatrick

Minkah Fitzpatrick is a defensive back for the Miami Dolphins. He was drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Fitzpatrick was a consensus All-American in 2017. He was also the winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Jim Thorpe Award.

Background

Minkah Fitzpatrick was born in Old Bridge, New Jersey on November 16, 1996. He attended Saint Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City, where he played football and ran track. As a senior, he was named first-team all-state by the Newark Star-Ledger after recording 70 tackles and five interceptions. Fitzpatrick was also a state champion in the 400-meter dash, with a personal best time of 48.97 seconds.

Fitzpatrick played college football at Alabama, where he was a member of three national championship teams in 2015, 2016, and 2017. As a junior in 2017, he earned consensus first-team All-American honors after recording 60 tackles and eight pass breakups. He was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Fitzpatrick decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2018 NFL Draft.

Strengths

Minkah Fitzpatrick is an incredible young talent in the NFL. He was drafted 11th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he has made an immediate impact for his new team. As a rookie, Fitzpatrick has already shown that he has the ability to be a game-changer on defense. He has great speed and quickness, and he has a knack for making big plays. In just 12 games, Fitzpatrick has already racked up 60 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He is a key part of a Dolphins defense that has been one of the best in the NFL this season.

Fitzpatrick is a strong candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and it would not be surprising to see him win the award. He has already shown that he has what it takes to be a top-tier defensive player in the NFL, and he should only get better with time. If he can continue to make big plays for the Dolphins, there is no doubt that he will be in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Weaknesses

Fitzpatrick’s major weakness is his average play strength. He can be stall setting the edge or getting caught up in traffic when attacking downhill. His slender frame also pops up on tape at times, particularly when he’s trying to break down and tackle bigger ball-carriers in the hole.

Conclusion

So, who will win Defensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL?

It’s hard to say for sure. But if we had to make a prediction, we’d say Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers is the favorite. He was a standout player in college and was drafted high for a reason. He has the size, speed, and strength to be a force on the defensive line, and we expect him to make an immediate impact for the Packers this season.