In a draft class full of Power 5 defensive talent, it was a small-school, second-round linebacker who was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018.
Darius Leonard surprised many in his rookie season, leading the league with 163 tackles and notching seven sacks and 12 tackles for a loss. The South Carolina State product tore it up for the Colts on his way to an All-Pro season. While the game of football is unpredictable, it seems unlikely that a player so out of left field will take home Defensive Rookie of the Year in the 2019 class’ deep defensive group.
With seven of the first 10 selections in the 2019 draft having been spent on defensive players, this year’s award will definitely be a hard-fought one. These six are among those who stand the best chances of winning.
Nick Bosa | EDGE | San Francisco 49ers
With the likes of Dee Ford and DeForest Buckner already on the 49ers’ defensive line, Nick Bosa will see his fair share of one-on-one battles in his rookie season.
The second overall pick is a polished pass rusher with a dangerous arsenal of hand techniques and good physical attributes. There aren’t many weaknesses in his game, but rather, areas in which he can get even better. A technically-refined force off the edge, Bosa will benefit from playing alongside two reliable pass rushers in Ford and Buckner, and teams will have a tough time planning to stop all three of them.
With the amount of attention his teammates may get, there’s a strong chance the rookie might follow in his brother Joey’s footsteps and win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Devin Bush | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers
After Ryan Shazier’s unfortunate injury, the Steelers have desperately needed a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can make any tackle and cover up a chunk of space in coverage. They finally have that player in Devin Bush.
Bush’s athleticism and range as a tackler allow him to catch up to ball carriers on a consistent basis. His instincts and quick diagnosing skills give him the ability to put himself in the right place at the right time, and he consistently takes good angles to the ball.
While his size might not make him a dangerous blitzer at the next level, his tackling numbers should do more than enough to make him a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Greedy Williams | CB | Cleveland Browns
Even though the Browns didn’t make a selection until the second round of the draft, they ended up with arguably one of the best defensive players in the class in Greedy Williams.
Aside from tackling, Williams checks just about every box for a top-tier cornerback prospect. The six-foot-two LSU alum has impressive hip fluidity and deep speed for a lengthier defensive back and has very good ball skills. He has the instincts to jump routes well, and he can high point jump balls as well as most receivers can. Williams can play in press-man or off-man coverage, which will give some versatility for Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks to work with.
With Denzel Ward already serving as a reliable starter on the outside, the rookie should have his fair share of opportunities to attack balls thrown his way.
Quinnen Williams | DL | New York Jets
Interior defensive linemen aren’t typically a sexy choice to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, but the likes of Aaron Donald, Sheldon Richardson and Ndamukong Suh have all won the award in the past decade. If anyone from this class can follow in their footsteps, it’s Quinnen Williams.
Williams is an incredibly polished defensive lineman with upside as both a pass rusher and a run stuffer. He has a wide variety of hand techniques in his arsenal, allowing him to shed blocks reliably. His football IQ is high, especially for a player with just one year of collegiate starting experience. The Alabama standout also plays with good pad level and consistently gets leverage on blockers. His physical tools are also impressive, as he fires off the ball with great explosion and has a lot of power in his frame.
Barring an injury or some sort of unforeseen drop-off at the next level, the only way Williams won’t have a great season is if he gets double-teamed early and often.
Ed Oliver | DL | Buffalo Bills
Ed Oliver was the second interior defensive linemen chosen in the 2019 draft, but his skill set makes him a dangerous threat to come out as the best rookie in this year’s class.
Oliver had a bit of a down year in 2018 with Houston, but he dealt with injuries and was criminally misused often as a nose tackle, despite his upside as a pass rusher. He has freakish athleticism for a man above 280 pounds, as his first step acceleration is rare, and his speed and fluidity in space rival most linebackers in this class. He also has an extensive array of hand moves at his disposal, making him a constant disruptor in the backfield.
With his capabilities in run support and on passing downs, Oliver has the potential to be a three-down interior lineman who makes an instant impact in the NFL.
Devin White | LB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The first off-ball linebacker to be selected in the top five since Aaron Curry went fourth overall in 2009, Devin White comes into Tampa Bay’s defense with high expectations right out of the gate. While the bar to surpass Curry won’t be very high, the bar to live up to his draft status certainly will be.
In terms of pure athleticism, White is one of the most intriguing specimens at the linebacker position in recent years. Faster and stronger than most running backs, he has great closing speed and range as a tackler, and he consistently brings down ball carriers with impressive form. His high motor ensures that he’s constantly working towards the ball, and he can work off of blocks to make plays before they reach the second level.
Though his production might be hindered a little bit with Lavonte David playing alongside him, White has the potential to have a 100-plus tackle season right off the bat, thus making him a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
