2022 NFL Draft: Top Picks Lead Charge For Defensive Rookie Of The Year
By Kyle Edmond
2022 NFL Draft: 5 Way-Too-Early Favorites For Defensive Rookie Of The Year
The 2022 NFL Draft was loaded with talent on the defensive side of the ball. The lack of top tier quarterback prospects forced an emphasis to fall on the defensive positions and the class did not disappoint. With a multitude of edge rushers and defensive backs, the race for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award will be a tight one.
While the five players we’ll talk about are the top players to watch, there are plenty of other prospects that could work their way into this conversation over time. They might not have a clear cut opportunity or the expectations that some other prospects do, but still possess the talent to make a run.
One such player, an honorable mention if you will, is Jermaine Johnson. One of the more shocking tumbles of this year’s draft, Johnson has the talent to make a case. The barrier for Johnson is that he is still a bit raw and we’ll have to see how his game transfers to the NFL. If it all clicks, he’ll be in this conversation.
Another name that will be in that mix is Devin Lloyd. Lloyd and Chad Muma are walking into the same position group in Jacksonville and will need to pick up the numbers left behind by Myles Jack. With such a young defense in Jacksonville, these guys will need to learn the game by playing it, not from a veteran. That could hinder rookie production for a player that otherwise is a strong talent.
There’s of course others that could be mentioned, but the focus five are the ones that have the best shot at Defensive Rookie of the Year before a snap of the 2022 season is taken. Other names can, and will, surface over time. However, where we currently stand these five are the ones to keep an eye on this season.