Ranking the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates
Offense I Defense
The defensive talent entering the NFL is undeniable. The first round of this year's draft was nearly split down the middle between offensive and defensive picks.
Here are our top 10 favorites for the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Sleeper: Arden Key, DE, Raiders
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Red flags abound with Key and caused him to slip from a possible first-round pick to a third-round selection, but he landed in a situation with the Raiders in which much will be asked of him in his first season.
New head coach Jon Gruden justified the pick by asking who - after Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin - would be expected to provide the pass-rush. Such an opportunity may be all Key needs to display the talent that produced 11 sacks in his sophomore year in college.
10. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Cowboys
Vander Esch represents the future of the Cowboys' defense in the middle. He's been tabbed as Sean Lee's eventual successor and should start out playing alongside him.
The Cowboys' defense falls off a cliff when Lee is out of the lineup and due to his lengthy injury history, it happens all too often. Chances are Vander Esch will begin his apprenticeship much sooner than expected.
9. Josh Jackson, CB, Packers
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The Packers spent plenty of draft capital to improve their 23rd-ranked pass defense. Both their first- and second-round picks were used on cornerbacks.
In Josh Jackson, their second-rounder, Green Bay has a ball-hawk who recorded eight interceptions in his final year in college. He could make an immediate impact much like the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Marshon Lattimore, did for the Saints.
8. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Dolphins
There are a number of manners in which the Dolphins can deploy Fitzpatrick, a Swiss Army Knife of defensive capabilities. Luckily for Miami, the team has plenty of uses for him in its secondary.
The two-time All-American filled his trophy case during his three years in Alabama. Whether he plays on the boundary, at nickel, safety, or linebacker, Fitzpatrick has the versatility to help a team that recorded just nine interceptions in 2017.
7. Rashaan Evans, LB, Titans
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While Jurrell Casey and Bennie Logan plug up the middle, the Titans now have some young athleticism to exploit on the outside.
Tennessee finished fifth in the league with 43 sacks last year and are in a great position to improve on that total with the additions of Evans and Harold Landry. Evans posted six sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his final year in college. The Titans' defense is one to fear in 2018.
6. Derwin James, S, Chargers
James appeared on a path to greatness after his first year in college, but a 2016 knee injury sapped some of that enthusiasm. He returned for a full 2017 campaign, though he didn't appear completely himself.
It's difficult for a safety to win the rookie of the year award, but James is more versatile than a traditional safety. If he evokes memories of his freshman year at Florida State, it'll be hard not to give it to him.
5. Marcus Davenport, DE, Saints
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For the Saints' sake, they better hope he wins Defensive Rookie of the Year. New Orleans relinquished its 2019 first-round pick in order to get the No. 2 pass-rusher on the board. That's how badly Sean Payton sought help for Cameron Jordan.
It's a rarity for a franchise to invest two first-round picks in a defender. If the Saints win another defensive rookie award, it'll be worth the exorbitant price.
4. Jaire Alexander, CB, Packers
The Packers may have moved down in the first round of the draft in order to acquire the Saints' 2019 first-rounder, but they traded back up to pick No. 18 in order to get Alexander.
What he lacks in stature, he makes up for in lockdown ability. With Jackson, Kevin King, and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alexander could be the central piece to a young, exciting secondary.
3. Roquan Smith, LB, Bears
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In a 10-year stretch from 1999 to 2009, linebackers dominated the award. Since then, only Luke Kuechly has managed to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Smith represents the best candidate at the position this year.
A top-10 talent, he's built in the mold of former Monsters of the Midway such as Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and Brian Urlacher. If he can do anything like he did his last year at Georgia (137 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks) in his first year as a pro, he's a cinch for the award.
2. Denzel Ward, CB, Browns
Much like for new quarterback Baker Mayfield, if Ward can help the Browns' defense improve by even the slightest degree, it'll be a major step in the right direction.
The passer rating against the Browns' defense was a league-worst 102.2 in 2017 and the secondary recorded a paltry seven interceptions. Ward only has two college picks to his name, but if he emerges as a shutdown corner, it won't matter if he isn't taking the ball away.
1. Bradley Chubb, DE, Broncos
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In any other year, Chubb would be in the conversation for the first overall pick in the draft. In fact, despite using last year's top pick on Myles Garrett, the Browns were expected to take Chubb anyway with the No. 4 pick. That's as strong an indicator as any of the level of his talent.
In Denver, Chubb will form a dynamic duo with Von Miller, who is already considered to be the game's best pass-rusher. If he can stuff his stats by taking advantage of all the attention paid to Miller, Rookie of the Year is his.