Which 1st-round pick has the best chance to win Defensive Rookie of the Year?
By Bryan Perez
After an incredible defensive draft, let’s take a look at which first-round pick has the best chance of winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The 2019 NFL draft was touted as featuring several blue-chip defensive prospects who are capable of coming into the league and having an instant impact in their rookie season.
The first round didn’t disappoint, as 18 of the first 32 picks came from the defensive side of the ball.
But who from that group of 18 has the best chance to win Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Let’s take a look.
Nick Bosa | Edge | 49ers
Bosa is a really, really safe pick to be the DROY because he not only is one of the highest-profile players from this year’s class, but he also plays a position that is a magnet for attention. Pass rushers, much like offensive skill players, receive a ton of facetime whenever they make a sack or tackle for loss. And if Bosa has the kind of production experts are projecting — double-digit sacks, for example — he’ll walk away with the hardware pretty easily.
All signs are pointing toward Bosa having that kind of impact season, too. He’ll benefit from playing opposite Dee Ford and alongside one of the more talented interior defensive lines. And in a division with Jared Goff (Rams), Russell Wilson (Seahawks) and Kyler Murray (Cardinals), every sack he gets will be a Sportscenter highlight.
Bosa is the favorite, barring injury.