Which 2024 rookie defenders will shine the brightest in their debut season?
NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein recently rolled out his top 10 candidates for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and wrote the following:
First-round picks have a tight hold on the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In fact, Shaquille Leonard (2018) and DeMeco Ryans (2006) – both linebackers picked in Round 2 – are the only non-first-rounders to win the award in the last 22 years. So, while history shows us it's a daunting road to the top for players selected outside of Round 1, we can't exclusively focus on the earliest draft picks when identifying DROY contenders.
Take last season, for example. My preseason (and postseason) pick Will Anderson, Jr., a first-rounder, took home the trophy, but third-round pick Kobie Turner had an extraordinary year and finished third in the DROY voting.
Zierlein noted there hasn't been a safety to win the award since 1990, when Mark Carrier received the honor after his stellar performance for Chicago. It's been 10 years since a defensive tackle was named DROY, the last one being Aaron Donald in 2014.
Coming in No. 2 on Zierlein's list for this year's candidates was Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner.
Minnesota drafted Turner 17th overall out of Alabama.
The Vikings signed edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel this offseason, but I'm still expecting Turner to carve out a significant role. He can attack the pocket quickly with his unique blend of elite athleticism and length. If Turner can add more play strength and mass to his frame and improve the consistency of his run defense, he could end up positioning himself as the DROY front-runner.
For now, though, Turner came in behind Jared Verse, whom the Rams selected at No. 19. Zierlein called Verse and the Rams "a match made in heaven."
Despite lacking ideal size and length, Verse possesses tremendous power and explosiveness. He plays with rare leverage at the point of attack. While he needs to continue diversifying his rush attack, his burst, power and motor are ingredients that could help him pile up sacks this year. Plus, his ability to defend the run will only help his DROY case.
Third in Zierlein's rankings was Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu, drafted 15th overall. The Vikings are slated to host Indianapolis Week 9, a week after visiting the Rams.
The biggest obstacle to Latu's candidacy might be his playing time, considering the depth the Colts are building along the defensive front. While his snaps volume might not be what some people expect, rushers who can stack sack totals have had great success in winning DROY – and no college player was better at finding the quarterback than Latu over the last two seasons (FBS-high 23.5 sacks). He's strong and immensely instinctive as a rusher, and he plays with a truly relentless nature. If he can become a consistent member of sub-rush packages, his chances of winning could go way up.
Click here to see Zierlein's full list of DROY candidates in 2024.
PFF highlights 'player to watch' for every NFL team
With NFL training camps underway around the league, analytics site Pro Football Focus tabbed one player to watch from every team.
PFF's Bradley Locker noted his list included everything "from rookies who could earn playing time to veterans seeking to get healthy" this season. For Minnesota, he recommended keeping an eye on receiver Trent Sherfield, Sr., whom the Vikings signed as a free agent this spring. Locker wrote:
The focus in Minnesota will be squarely on [quarterbacks] J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold, and a new-look defense should be fun to watch. As for an underrated player, though, Sherfield is one to keep an eye on.
The Vikings quietly lost slot man K.J. Osborn, who was solid as a complementary piece for three years. Now, the opportunity to line up inside next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison belongs to the 28-year-old Sherfield, who arrives after playing last year in Buffalo. With a career average depth of target of 11.8 yards, Sherfield could potentially allow [Head Coach] Kevin O'Connell to better attack the seams or diversify Jefferson's tree even more.
If Sherfield can reduce his drop rate from 2023, he could emerge as another solid offensive weapon.
Interesting to note are Locker's players to watch within the other three NFC North teams. In Chicago, he pointed to defensive lineman Gervon Dexter, Sr., who was drafted out of Florida in 2023, and he highlighted linebacker Edgerrin Cooper for the Packers.
When it came to Detroit, Locker selected cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, Jr., whom the Lions drafted 61st overall. Locker projected fellow rookie corner Terrion Arnold (24th overall) to earn the starting outside spot opposite Carlton Davis III.
