The NFL Defensive Rookie Debate That’s Just Heating Up

This year’s award predictions have been a blast, particularly with the MVP conversation. Offensive Rookie of the Year has also been a fun one, with multiple rookies lighting up the field. The only award with little buzz is Defensive Rookie of the Year. Of the last five DROY, four of them were edge rushers, with Jared Verse capturing the award last year after a stellar rookie season. This has been quiet, with no player making headlines. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some dawgs out there right now.

​Carson Schwesinger

Carson Schwesinger has walked an interesting and inspiring path to the NFL. Schwesinger was a walk-on at UCLA, fighting his way up the depth chart before having a breakout season in 2024. A semifinalist for the Butkus Award, the former Bruin ended his college career with 136 total tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions. The Browns took him with the 33rd pick, the second linebacker off the board. Schwesigner had a great camp and set himself apart, and with the lack of depth at linebacker, he was a Week One starter. In his 12 starts, Schwesinger has been phenomenal. Currently, he is 11th in the league for tackles and leading the Browns with 99. To pair with his 99 tackles are 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. Schwesinger is having a fantastic rookie season and has all but locked up the DROY.

​Jalon Walker

Jalon Walker comes from the NFL factory that is Georgia. Walker was a starter from his freshman season onward and continued to play a significant role on the Georgia defense. His junior season was his best by far and what solidified him as a first-round pick. Going out with a bang, he excelled on a stout defense filled with future NFL players, ending his college career with 60 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and capturing the Dick Butkus Award. After his successful college career, the Falcons took Walker with the 15th pick as a centerpiece to their revamped defense. Walker got off to a slow start, dealing with lingering injuries, but he did record his first NFL sack in his second game. Since then, Walker has cemented himself as a starter with five sacks and 20 quarterback pressures, recording at least two every week since Week Four. The former Bulldogs' missed time is what ultimately hurts him here.  

​Abdul Carter

Abdul Carter was a monster coming out of Penn State, drawing comparisons to another former Niatty Lion, Micah Parsons, and capping off his stellar college career with 68 total tackles and 12.5 sacks. Entering the draft with the generational tag, he was selected third overall by the New York Giants. Carter was their long-term solution to the Giants' continued lackluster defense. Paired alongside Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux as an elite front seven. So far, Carter has delivered, currently ranking sixth in the league for quarterback pressures with 47. The sacks haven’t come yet, but they are sure to catch up eventually, with how often he gets near the quarterback. Carter has come under some fire for character issues with his team, which has affected his playing time. Ultimately, his lack of sacks is what hurts his case for DROY.