If you haven’t paid attention to the NFL Draft coverage provided by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, then you’re missing out. Year-after-year he puts together terrific scouting reports on over 300 draft prospects and he’s about as in-tune with every team’s draft needs and philosophies.
As we enter this upcoming season, Zierlein has put together a list of 10 rookies that will contend for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Top 10 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates in 2023: Lions duo to contend https://t.co/RidWPvGrMN
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) July 25, 2023
On his top-10 list, there are two rookies from the Detroit Lions. At No. 8 on the list is Brian Branch. Here’s an excerpt from what Lance said about Branch:
“…his NFL Scouting Combine testing failed to excite, but it doesn’t take much tape study to see that Branch is a pro-ready talent with strong coverage technique and tackle consistency. He can play both safety spots or the nickel, so he could be in position to make more plays than your average defensive back as a rookie.”
I’d have to agree with everything that Lance preaches about when discussing Branch, a second-round pick from Alabama. He’s most definitely a pro-ready and was the best safety in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite the injury scare for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, there should be plenty of opportunities for Branch to learn and see the field as a rookie. He could certainly be a top-candidate to win the defensive rookie of the year away.
But Branch wasn’t the only Detroit Lion on the list. Coming in as the 3rd ranked player on the list was first rounder Jack Campbell. Here’s what Lance said about the first round linebacker:
“I will admit that I wasn’t as high on Campbell as the Lions were, but they certainly weren’t the only team bullish about his potential at the next level. Campbell plays with fairly average sideline-to-sideline speed, but he has a good feel for play development and finds his way to the football quite frequently. Inside linebackers who rack up tackles on good football teams have a track record of winning DROY.”
Much of what happens with Campbell will depend on how much playing time he gets while competing against Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez. Fortunately for Campbell, he’s versatile enough to play anywhere as a linebacker and he’s talented enough to see the field early in his career.
Here’s the complete top-10 list for Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates:
- Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Houston Texans
- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks
- Jack Campbell, LB, Detroit Lions
- Jalen Carter, IDL, Philadelphia Eagles
- Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Washington Commanders
- Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders
- Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots
- Brian Branch, DB, Detroit Lions
- Calijah Kancey, IDL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Will McDonald IV., EDGE, New York Jets
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