Former Georgia Bulldog cornerback Kamari Lassiter has some big expectations on his shoulders. As a rookie starter on a contending Houston Texans team that had secondary issues last year, Texans fans and UGA fans will look for him to showcase his talent. However, ESPN reporter Dan Graziano (subscription required) thinks he can not only do that, but earn some hardware this season, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Here’s what Graziano had to say on the matter:
“The Texans’ coaching staff has been impressed with Lassiter, the second-round pick out of Georgia, and the team believes he can be an impact starter in his rookie season. A few people I’ve spoken to in the building have told me, unsolicited, about the way Lassiter has held his own in the battles he has had with Stefon Diggs during training camp practices. With Derek Stingley Jr. establishing a reputation as a corner opposing offenses want to stay away from, teams are likely going to try to throw at the rookie on the other side. This will present opportunities for interceptions, and if Lassiter can cash in on those, that’s the kind of stat that helps win this award.”
It would be a rather daunting task to pull off. Out of the last 20 Defensive Rookie of the Year winners, only three of them were cornerbacks. There’s also still the factor of Derek Stingley’s role in Houston compared to his. Lassiter will definitely have his fair share of balls thrown his way, but he may not have the matchups that rookie lead cornerbacks like Sauce Gardner and Marshon Lattimore had to go against. Turnovers, however, could improve his case, as Marcus Peters won the 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year while leading the league in interceptions (along with 280 return yards and 2 touchdowns), despite having a PFF grade of only 58.5.
Lassiter has the 20th-best odds at winning. Edge rushers like Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu and Jared Verse lead the pack. Terrion Arnold has the best odds of any cornerback (sixth) after becoming the lead corner on Detroit’s secondary with Cameron Sutton being cut. Regardless of whether Lassiter can pull it off, UGA fans should be excited to see how one of their most talented former players develops in the NFL.