The front seven have dominated recent rookie of the year winners. In fact, the last person to win rookie of the year honors from the secondary was Charles Woodson with the Oakland Raiders in 1998. The past fifteen years have been won by a player who plays either a linebacker or defensive line position, which speaks volumes to the fact the secondary has a bigger transition entering the NFL than players of other positions. Which is why there are no members of the secondary on my top five candidates for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
1. Kahlil Mack: LB Oakland Raiders
Kahlil Mack is a machine, simple as that. Mack burst on to the scene his senior season at Buffalo accounting for 100 tackles 10.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 5 forced fumbles. The thing I love about Mack is his motor; he never gives up on a play and is always around the ball. The other thing you have to love about Mack is the fact that he is yet to reach his full potential. Mack did not start playing football until high school, which is why he was only offered scholarships by the University of Buffalo and University of Liberty. Mack is my early favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
2. Aaron Donald: DT St. Louis Rams
Much like Mack, Aaron Donald burst on to the scene his senior season at the University of Pittsburgh. Despite his smaller size for a defensive tackle Donald managed to be disruptive throughout his senior season not only in run stopping, but rushing the quarterback as well. Donald is another high-motor player whose effort may be even better than his talent. I love the fit Donald has with the Rams. Add Donald to an already solid Ram’s defensive line featuring Chris Long? And ? Donald will have plenty of opportunity to succeed as a rookie.
3. Jadeveon Clowney: LB/DE Houston Texans
Jadeveon Clowney is the easy choice for defensive rookie of the year, he’s got the talent the freakish athleticism that makes him capable of being a once in a generation player. However, will Clowney be able to stay healthy and be consistent? He is already having a surgery to repair a sports hernia, and is questionable to be ready for training camp. However, what makes me nervous about Clowney is his consistency. There were games his senior year where he disappeared and was shut down by solid right tackle play. Clowney will face that type of talent week in and week out in the NFL and will have to prove he can perform at a high level consistently before he will succeed in the NFL.
4. Dee Ford: LB/DE Kansas City Chiefs
Dee Ford is an interesting prospect, like Clowney he is a phenomenal athlete, but Ford also has the motor of Donald and Mack. Ford claimed during the draft process he was the best defensive end in the draft class, not Clowney. A bold statement from ford, but if early indications from OTA’s and Chief’s minicamp are any indication Ford could be right. Ford has received high praise from the Chiefs coaching staff and has been a standout throughout the off-season program. Ford will also benefit from joining a Chief’s defense that is very good, and gets to the quarterback often. Ford isn’t the popular pick, but he has the capability to be the defensive rookie of the year.
5. Kyle Van Noy: LB Detroit Lions
Kyle Van Noy is my dark horse candidate to win defensive rookie of the year. Van Noy is a talented outside linebacker that is versatile enough to play inside and outside linebacker. Van Noy will benefit from playing with one of the most talented front seven’s in the NFL. Van Noy will play with Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, and former BYU teammate Ziggy Ansah giving him a talented supporting cast that will present him with good matchups letting Van Noy do what he does best, rush the quarterback.
