The 5 Frontrunners to Win Defensive Rookie of the Year | Week 2
Quinyon Mitchell, CB (PHI)
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Toledo Rockets cornerback Quinyon Mitchell poses after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the No. 22 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Buffalo Bills utterly shellacked the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football, kicking off Week 2 festivities.
The 5 Frontrunners to Win Defensive Rookie of the Year | Week 2
Overall offensive production faltered in Week 1, probably because most teams disregard the preseason for starters.
Meanwhile, several awards will be up for grabs, and heading into Week 2, 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. Quinyon Mitchell (CB)
Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) blocks Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (30) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports.
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Odds to Win DROY: +1400
Last Week’s Ranking: n/a
2024 PFF Score to Date: 58.6
Mitchell played 63 defensive snaps in Week 1 — also known as 94% of the time. He started in the win over Green Bay down in Brazil, banking a sweet 66.9 passer-rating-against while Jordan Love targeted Mitchell 9 times. He passed the test.
The Eagles rookie also logged 5 tackles and 2 passes defended. He’s a new entry on this countdown and might be here to stay.
4. Byron Murphy (DT)
Sep 8, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) tackle Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) for a loss during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Odds to Win DROY: +1000
Last Week’s Ranking: tied-5
2024 PFF Score to Date: 70.5
Murphy didn’t play quite as much as Murphy for the Eagles, but he did see the field on 58% of defensive snaps — or 40. He accounted for 2 quarterback pressures and 2 tackles, with a QB hurry to boot.
His team also won, knocking off the Denver Broncos.
3. Dallas Turner (EDGE)
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a sack with linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Odds to Win DROY: +550
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
2024 PFF Score to Date: 40.7
Pro Football Focus was not kind to Turner, but Vikings fans loved the rookie’s performance. Minnesota’s defensive line tormented New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to the utmost, and Turner got in on the fun.
He recorded 3 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pressure inside Brian Flores’ exotic defense. Among one of the league’s most surprising performances in Week 1, Turner’s Vikings snuffed out the evidently lowly Giants.
2. Laia Laiatu (EDGE)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) smiles while walking toward a member of the media Saturday, July 27, 2024, during the Indianapolis Colts’ training camp at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield. © Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Odds to Win DROY: +500
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
2024 PFF Score to Date: 69.2
Latu saw the field in Indianapolis’ loss to the Houston Texans on 31 players, and PPF just loved him. He didn’t register any tackles or sacks but managed to tally 1 pressure and quarterback hurry versus Houston.
The UCLA alumnus should see more action henceforth and even played a bit of special teams.
1. Jared Verse (EDGE)
Jul 31, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jared Verse (8) listens to outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports.
Team: Los Angeles Rams
Odds to Win DROY: +430
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
2024 PFF Score to Date: 75.5
The new frontrunner to snag DROY, Verse played 43 defensive snaps (71%) while notching 4 tackles, 2 quarterback hits, a tackles for loss, and a sack. He also tabulated a whopping 6 quarterback pressures — probably why he’s the new favorite, albeit temporary, to hoist DROY hardware.
For a week, Verse the defensive rookie standard-bearer.
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.
Newsletter
Subscribe for the latest posts in your inbox.
