2016 1st-Team All-Rookie Defense Predictions

The 1st-team All-Rookie roster is made by analysts after every NFL season to argue which young talents made the biggest impact in their first year in the pros. While no trophies are given out and different writers will vary in opinion, the players on these lists are the best new faces with the brightest futures. Earlier I made a list of my prediction for this group’s first team all offense, and here is my early prediction for the first team all defense (using a 4-3 as the base defense):

Nose Tackle: Andrew Billings, Cincinnati Bengals

Billings’ slide out of the first day was surprising to many, myself included. There are rumors about a potential knee problem that caused the slide, but the official story is that teams didn’t take him because he felt he was only a run-stopper. If the latter is the cause it’s a ridiculous one because nose tackles should be run-first players and Billings has the explosiveness to wreck havoc in the middle. He’ll be opening up lanes for the rest of his talented pass rushing team while breaking up opponents’ run games- exactly as a nose tackle should.

Defensive Tackle (3-Tech): Sheldon Day, Jacksonville Jaguars

The opposite of Billings, Day is seen as being exclusively a pass rush defensive tackle. Both of these “one-dimensional” players will excel at their roles and that’s what will put them into this talented group. Day could create an explosion in the Jacksonville 4-3 defense at either defensive tackle position, but he’ll likely see more reps at the three tech since he can be a liability in the run game. The Jaguars are building a powerful front and this Notre Dame product should be ready to demolish quarterbacks day one.

Defensive End: Joey Bosa, San Diego Chargers

There are questions as to whether Bosa will play defensive end or OLB in the Chargers’ 3-4 scheme, but I see him as mainly 5-tech player. This may mean he has to put on a bit more weight, but it’s a position that the Chargers more desperately need him at. Wherever he plays, the Ohio St. product is going to be a dominant pass rushing force from his first day in the league on a team that desperately needs to keep up with their all out pass rushing opponents in the AFC West.

Defensive End: Noah Spence, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Spence also has some questions regarding his position as either an every down DE or OLB, as do many players with the rise of the “EDGE” position. Spence should end up as a pass rushing d-end on a Tampa Bay front that is piece by piece trying to develop a pass rush. The Eastern Kentucky product should have every opportunity to succeed as a crucial piece of this defense, creating a rush on the edge of the d-line to join talented players at defensive tackle and linebacker in Gerald McCoy, Levonte David, and others.

Outside Linebacker: Darron Lee, NY Jets

The Jets continue building a solid front-7 with an athletic outside backer in Lee. Years from now I think Jaylon Smith and/or Myles Jack will be the real linebacker talents to have emerged from this class, hopefully neither one of their careers are ruined by injuries, but for where the Jets are as a team and where they picked Lee this was a solid choice. The defense of this team gets better every year and Lee should contribute early and often.

Inside Linebacker (Strong Side): Reggie Ragland, Buffalo Bills

Ragland was a second round pick, but he had defensive rookie of the year potential. Ragland is going to have a rack up tackles like nobody’s business in Rex Ryan’s system, which prioritizes linebackers making tackles and defensive lineman opening lanes. With a fairly unimpressive group of competition, this hard hitting Alabama product should make a name for himself in the middle of the field in his rookie year. He slipped because of a questionable report regarding an enlarged aorta, but I have no reason to believe this will keep him off the field; anyone who watched his film from Alabama could have told you he plays with a big heart.

Inside Linebacker (Weak Side): Su’a Cravens, Washington Redskins

Cravens can play linebacker or safety and he can play either one really well, but so far his coaches have made it sound like he’ll be playing weak side linebacker and outside linebacker with the ability to move to safety in certain sets. He’s a great athlete and a solid hitter, both of which should help him perform in his first year in Washington. Think Jamie Collins in terms of skill set: good tackling linebacker who can cover like a safety and rush like an edge player.

Strong Safety: Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders

The Raiders filled out most of the remaining holes in their roster in free agency, but both Nate Allen and Reggie Nelson play free safety, leaving a need at strong safety. Enter Karl Joseph- play making strong safety who can tackle and cover with the best of them, recovered from the injury that limited his popularity in the draft. Joseph is a big hitter who can wreak havoc all over the field, a perfect fit for the tough Raiders team Del Rio and McKenzie want. He’s another potential DROY talent.

Free Safety: Darian Thompson, NY Giants

Last year the Giants stole strong safety Landon Collins, who should have been a 1st-round pick, but fell to the early second. This year they grabbed free safety Darian Thompson in the third, but he should have no problem working his way on to the field in this mediocre group of Giants safeties. Together, Collins and Thompson should become a nice duo over the course of the season on a Giants roster that has had major problems in the secondary over the past few seasons.

Cornerback: Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars

Knowing the Jaguars Ramsey’s meniscus injury will become a major issue, but until I hear of real evidence that this is the case I’ll assume he misses little to no time in the regular season because these injuries typically don’t last more than 6 weeks. So assuming he can play, Ramsey should be an instant presence in the NFL with amazing potential all over the secondary. With all of the other pieces the Jaguars are finally putting in place, Ramsey could definitely shine. Another major DROY candidate.

Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hargreaves has the speed and footwork to do great things in the NFL, but he has room to improve when it come to ball skills. But with Brent Grimes as the only other salvageable corner on this team, Hargreaves will have every chance to develop over the season. He has all the raw tools to become a lock down corner and by the end of his rookie season, he should be one of the best young presences around the league.