From Day 1 of scouting and covering the 2019 NFL Draft, names like Nick Bosa, and Quinnen Williams were all the media could cover. This draft class had defensive talent littered throughout it, and plenty of teams upgraded their defensive units with their picks. While a lot of teams were able to find steals and upgrade their overall defensive units, some teams lucked out on some true game wreckers. Here are a few of the names I think you will hear about as the top defensive rookies in the class.
Honorable Mention – Montez Sweat
As I was writing this at the beginning of the week, I had Sweat as my 5th candidate for defensive Rookie of the Year, and I am very high on him for this season. After the Telvin Smith news though, I moved Allen into my 5th slot, but I still know Sweat is going to have tons of potential for a great rookie season. The Redskins defense is going to be stellar this season, and Sweat is going to fill the role of another Miss. State Bulldog, Preston Smith. Smith had 8 sacks his rookie year, averaged 7 for his time with Washington, and now is a very wealthy edge rusher for the Green Bay Packers. I believe Montez has a higher potential than Smith did, and will be a difficult match up inside the NFC.
5. Josh Allen
Before yesterday Allen wasn’t really on my radar for this award, but with Telvin Smith now taking his leave of absence, his opportunity widened. Allen will now have to step up and try to fill his role, instead of being Smith’s rushing mate. If Jacksonville can get its swagger back on defense, and Allen is a key contributor on the defense, the hype train for Allen could be huge. Josh Allen isn’t exactly Jalen Ramsey, but if you produce sacks in Sacksonville, the media is going to run with it. Allen viewed himself as the best prospect in this class, as do most athletes, but I would expect him to have a chip on his shoulder after “falling” to 7th overall.
4. Quinnen Williams
The Jets added yet another key piece to their young defense, and finally have their roster built back to compete in the AFC East. Quinnen Williams is a wrecking ball of a defensive tackle, and was my top prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft. If he continues his path of destruction he was building at Alabama, his name will be at the top for all rookies, let alone just on the defense. I do have questions how the defense is going to line up and use Williams, but I still have high hopes for him either way. Williams is going to be great as a rookie, but will have a tall task of not just producing at a high level, but out doing other defensive linemen like Ed Oliver and Nick Bosa.
3. Devin White
Kwon Alexander was a play maker for Tampa Bay, but only was able to finish one full season with the Bucs for multiple different reasons, thus letting him walk in free agency. I loved the Devin White pick for Tampa Bay, and he should fit in very smoothly for them as White possesses the same athletic ability that Alexander carried on the field. His smooth transition, and already outstanding leadership skills, should make for him to be the head of their youthful core. The only reason he isn’t over the other two is due to the fact that the Bucs defense, and overall team, is probably still going to be tough to watch. The other two candidates below will not only be producing just as impressively, but on defenses that will be battling for playoff spots.
2. Ed Oliver
The Bills drafting Ed Oliver went by rather quietly, but I really believe he landed in one of the best situations out of the rookies selected this year. Oliver will come into an already great defense, with great players already around him to take the strain off him. While at Houston, not only was Oliver playing in a scheme that didn’t support him well, he was also being double and even triple teamed in the AAC. The amount of pressure he will be able to put on the backfield, if not double teamed, will be impressive whether he gets the sack or not. I am expecting an Ndamukong Suh type of a rookie season for the Houston, Texas native, and that will be more than enough to be a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
1. Devin Bush
The Steelers traded up 10 spots to select Devin Bush, and he still might be a steal if he can replace some of the fire power that Shazier left. He is a do it all linebacker, that can cover, tackle and blitz, which is the reason why he was the first defensive player they traded up for in 1st round since Troy Polamalu. If Bush can step in and flash his impactful skill set for the Steelers, they can finally pair someone with their pass rushing, and more importantly the offense. It takes a lot for a middle linebacker to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, but I believe Bush should make enough plays, all over the field, to make him the most impactful rookie in the class.