The 5 Frontrunners to Win Defensive Rookie of the Year | Week 9

For Offensive Rookie of the Year, Washington Commanders signal-caller Jayden Daniels has seized the OROY race and isn’t likely to lose his grip. If further proof was needed, just take a gander at his Hail Mary versus the Chicago Bears last weekend.

The 5 Frontrunners to Win Defensive Rookie of the Year | Week 9

But the DROY is higher up in the air at the moment.

Heading into Week 9, these are the league’s frontrunners to win Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY), according to sportsbooks, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = leader to win DROY)

5. Byron Murphy (DT)

 

Team: Seattle Seahawks
Odds to Win DROY: +1800
2024 PFF Score to Date: 64.8

Murphy has played 50% of Seahawks’ snaps in 2024, gradually working his way full time into Seattle’s decent defense. The Seahawks’ defense ranks 21st per EPA/Play right now — so certainly not good but also not horrendous.

The rookie DT has logged 14 total tackles, 9 QB pressures, 2 tackles for loss, a QB hit, and a half sack. Defensive tackles often take a while to develop, but Murphy is well on his way.

t3. Evan Williams (S)

Team: Green Bay Packers
Odds to Win DROY: +1400
2024 PFF Score to Date: 87.4

Nobody really knows Williams too well — mainly because of his draft stock. The Packers pulled him out of Round 4 from Oregon. Usually, 4th-Rounders don’t shine right away.

But Williams is different.

He’s notched a 45.8 passer-rating-against, 28 total tackles, a pick, and a tackle for loss. Before too long, Williams will be classified as a staple of Green Bay’s defense.

t3. Quinyon Mitchell (CB)

Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Odds to Win DROY: +1400
2024 PFF Score to Date: 61.5

The Eagles performed a draft masterclass six months ago, adding two cornerbacks of the future in Mitchell and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean. In fact, DeJean might be equally as good as Mitchell; he just doesn’t have the DROY shine yet from oddsmakers.

Mitchell is accountable for a 71.6 passer-rating against, which would be impressive if he were in his fourth year as a pro. Another sweet part about Mitchell? He plays all the time. Mitchell has been on the field 96% of the time for the Eagles, far outpacing his rookie counterpart, DeJean.

2. Laiatu Latu (EDGE)

Team: Indianapolis Colts
Odds to Win DROY: +600
2024 PFF Score to Date: 66.9

Latu has banked 2 sacks, with 14 total tackles, 6 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He’s the real deal and hasn’t disappointed one iota.

If the next guy on the list didn’t exist, Latu would be tentatively on track to win DROY. Indianapolis’ defense lives at No. 15 in the NFL per EPA/Play, so Latu is helping the Colts maintain a .500 record.

Latu has 17 quarterback pressures in 8 games. Not bad.

1. Jared Verse (EDGE)

Team: Los Angeles Rams
Odds to Win DROY: -125
2024 PFF Score to Date: 82.8

Verse owns 32 pressures in seven games — yes, you read that right — and can stop the run, too, which is sometimes rare for rookie EDGEs. If he improves his tackling form, the guy will become a Pro Bowler in no time.

He’s the frontrunner to win Defensive Player of the Year, and his lead over Laiatu Latu isn’t tiny, per oddsmakers.

Verse will win this one, barring injury.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.