Who Will Win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year? 3 Favorites and Underdogs to Consider

Here’s a look at all the favorite candidates, plus a longshot or two.

Our Top 3 Favorites to Win NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

1. Jared Verse – Los Angeles Rams

Most times with an award like this, voters tend to lean toward a player on a team that perhaps overachieved.

While Dallas Turner was impactful for the Minnesota Vikings (14-3) with three sacks and an interception, Jared Verse was key in turning around a defense that struggled at the beginning of the season.

Jared Verse & Braden Fiske have been a PROBLEM😤

Jared Verse Braden Fiske
65 Tckl’s 43 Tckl’s
11 TFLs 10 TFLs
4.5 Sacks 8 Sacks
18 QB Hits 9 QB Hits
2 FF’s 2 FF’s
16 GP 16 GP pic.twitter.com/VI26ln9wBC

— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) January 3, 2025

Los Angeles started 1-4 while allowing almost 28 points per game. The Rams won the NFC West with five straight victories down the stretch – four of which they gave up 14 or fewer points. Verse was noticeable throughout.

Verse had 3.5 sacks during a three-game period in midseason, including critical wins over Minnesota and Seattle. He finished fifth on the team with 66 total tackles and is a solid NFL pick to win the award.

His rookie teammate Braden Fiske will also get some votes, but he finished with 20 solo tackles to Verse’s 36.

2. Chop Robinson – Miami Dolphins

Chop Robinson had a slow start to his rookie season but recorded all six of his sacks in the last 10 games as Miami made a late run at a playoff berth.

The Penn State product might end up being the most productive defensive player from this draft down the road with the Miami defense improving around him.

Chop Robinson single handedly forcing a 3 and out on this drive pic.twitter.com/N9ZfsGIdf4

— FinsCentral (@finscentral) November 25, 2024

What will hold Robinson back from being a good bet online to win the award is the Dolphins’ record (8-9) and his meager total of 26 total tackles.

3. Quinyon Mitchell – Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia was second to last in the league in passing defense last season and finished first in 2024, allowing just 174.2 yards per contest.

The Eagles had a similar amount of sacks this season, so much of the improvement had to do with the secondary. Two rookie defensive backs made major impacts for the NFC East champs, who are +700 in the odds to win Super Bowl 59.

Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo was picked 22nd and finished with 37 solo tackles and 12 passes defended (tied for second on the team). Cooper DeJean went 40th and the Iowa product had 38 solo tackles to go with six passes defended.

Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell has been everything the Eagles hoped for in 2024, and more. Rookie Yac Killer!
A Video Thread:pic.twitter.com/TL00aqrEuV

— David (@PHLEagleNews) January 2, 2025

Mitchell could be the second choice in the odds, but he and DeJean could split the vote.

Longshots to Win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Laiatu Latu was far from a bust for the Colts this season. The UCLA product just did not make as big of an impression as others.

Turner and Byron Murphy II (16th overall to Seattle) also had solid rookie seasons while corner Terrion Arnold was quite noticeable for the NFC top-seeded Detroit Lions Arnold went 24th overall and finished with 10 passes defended and 47 solo tackles.

While Arnold may be the best longshot NFL odds for the award, the real dark horse is Washington’s second-round pick Mike Sainristil. The safety from Michigan had 93 tackles (62 solo) and two interceptions for the playoff-bound Commanders.

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