The 5 Frontrunners to Win Defensive Rookie of the Year | Week 4

On the offensive side of the NFL for rookies, Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels stole the show on Monday Night Football, helping his team defeat the reeling Cincinnati Bengals on the road.

The 5 Frontrunners to Win Defensive Rookie of the Year | Week 4

But let’s not forget about the defensive rookies. Many are flourishing through three weeks.

Heading into Week 4, these are the league’s frontrunners to win Defensive Rookie of the Year (OROY), according to sportsbooks, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = leader to win DROY)

5. Kamari Lassiter (CB)

 

Team: Houston Texans
Odds to Win DROY: +1100
2024 PFF Score to Date: 75.2

Quarterbacks have targeted Lassiter 12 times through three games and have a 14.6 passer rating when throwing in Lassiter’s direction. It’s not going well when trying to exploit this 2nd-Rounder. This, of course, bodes well for Houston because it has Derek Stingley Jr. on the other side of the defense, perhaps nailing down a formidable Texans secondary for years.

Too, Lassiter has played almost every defensive snap as a rookie. He doesn’t come off the field. The man started instantly and plays all the time.

His team was disemboweled by the Minnesota Vikings last weekend, but he should get back on track quickly.

4. Byron Murphy (DT)

Team: Seattle Seahawks
Odds to Win DROY: +1900
2024 PFF Score to Date: 56.5

Unlike Lassiter, Murphy has participated in only about half of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps, but that mark will climb in time. He’s registered 6 tackles and a half sack in three games, a decent showing out of the gate as a rookie.

Murphy is a better pass rusher than run stuffer so far. His team’s undefeated record also helps his DROY case, though it has a touch matchup on Monday Night Football with the Detroit Lions this week.

3. Dallas Turner (EDGE)

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Odds to Win DROY: +750
2024 PFF Score to Date: 48.1

Turner didn’t lose much DROY ground last week after missing the Vikings’  beatdown of the Texans, nursing a knee injury back to health.

He’s notched a sack and 5 tackles in two games and will need a productive Week 4 at the Green Bay Packers to stay in the Top 5 of DROY contenders. Thankfully, he has the talent to terrorize if he’s in the mood. It’s also worth noting that Minnseota’s defense ranks tops in the sport per DVOA.

2. Laiatu Latu (EDGE)

Team: Indianapolis Colts
Odds to Win DROY: +525
2024 PFF Score to Date: 74.2

Latu has 6 pressures in six games, with a sack and 3 tackles. He’s also responsible for a forced fumble and is a PFF darling.

His team needs a win at Soldier Field this weekend against the Chicago Bears, or it risks being buried in the already crowded AFC field of Wildcard contenders.

1. Jared Verse (EDGE)

Team: Los Angeles Rams
Odds to Win DROY: +275
2024 PFF Score to Date: 75.5

A Day One starter, Verse has 13 quarterback pressures, a sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. The dude does it all. He’s also a wonderful run defender, which cannot be said for every EDGE defender coming out of college.

The Rams were written off as dead last weekend against the San Francisco 49ers, but they stunned San Francisco in an upset, thanks to Verse and others’ performances. Verse is also a startable individual defensive player in fantasy football leagues. He’s that versatile.

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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.