Predicting the Defensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL
The NFL season is creeping up on us and I thought it would be fun to try to predict the rookie of the year in the NFL on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball in a two part series. I selected defensive rookie of the year last because I love defense and I feel two players are going to win this award in 2021. I cannot wait to break down the players. Let’s take a look at who I feel will win the award, and will it be a close race?
Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys – Everyone believes Micah is going to win the award and do not get me wrong, he is going to be a beast for the Cowboys. He is going to rack up tons of tackles. The kid plays at a different speed than the rest of the players on the field. I think he will have tons of tackles, but will struggle a bit in pass protection in his first year. He will do well, but I think the other rookies listed below will be slightly higher than him when it comes to voting.
Kwity Paye, DE, Indianapolis Colts – The Colts have one of the nastiest front sevens in the NFL. Paye has a huge season and finishes with 10 sacks. It is great, but it is not enough to help him get the lead over Rousseau of finishes with 3 more sacks on less snaps.
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos – The Broncos landed a future Hall of Famer. Yes, I said it. I think Surtain becomes a shut down corner in the NFL and finishes the season with 8 interceptions which is tied for first. He is a co-winner to the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The crazy thing is the Panthers passed on him……
Greg Rousseau, DE, Buffalo Bills – The Bills landed the massive pass rusher from Miami with the 30th pick in the NFL Draft and every team should be ashamed. The kid finishes with 13 sacks in his rookie year and wins co-rookie of the year with Surtain. The two players ball out and the Bills finally have a pass rusher opposite of Jerry Hughes.
Darkhorse Candidate
Nate Hobbs, CB, Las Vegas Raiders – Yes, I am picking a fifth round pick. I have been high as hell on him for years, people are sleeping on him. Raiders fans are getting to see what he is capable in the preseason as he is dominating week in and week out. He will start at the nickel position and will rack up tons of big plays. I would not be shocked if he ends up with five to seven sacks and three interceptions as a nickel.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com