Tag: NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

WATCH: Emmanuel Forbes fires up his former Mississippi State teammates ahead of season opener

Forbes has a big individual goal set for his rookie season.

In less than one week, Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes makes his NFL debut against the Arizona Cardinals. But before the No. 16 overall pick takes the field for his first game, he returned to his alma mater Saturday for Mississippi State’s season-opener against Southeastern Louisiana.

It was an emotional day in Starkville as the Bulldogs honored the legendary Mike Leach, who died in December. Leach had called Forbes one of the greatest players he’d ever coached.

Before Mississippi State kicked off, Forbes gave his former teammates a pep talk.

Forbes’ speech must have worked as the Bulldogs cruised to an easy 48-7 win in the opener.

The SEC Network caught up with Forbes and asked him what everyone should expect from him during his rookie season.

“I usually don’t like telling my goals, but I plan on winning defensive rookie of the year and being the best teammate I can be honestly and helping my team win games,” he said with a smile.

There are many who like Forbes’ chances at winning the NFL defensive rookie of the year award in 2023.

Is Emmanuel Forbes a favorite for NFL defensive rookie of the year?

Forbes is considered a “best” bet to win the NFL defensive rookie of the year award.

The Washington Commanders selected cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft partly because of his ability to create turnovers. Washington’s defense was good in 2022 but struggled to consistently create turnovers.

In three seasons at Mississippi State, Forbes had 14 interceptions, six of which he returned for touchdowns — an FBS record.

Can Forbes consistently create turnovers at the NFL level?

If Forbes repeats his college success as a rookie in 2023, he could be Washington’s second defensive rookie of the year in the last four seasons. Defensive end Chase Young won the award in 2020.

According to CBS Sports, Forbes is named as the “best top bet” at 15-1 to win the NFL defensive rookie of the year award.

Very tough DROY class and the market reflects it. Forbes is the pick here because he has very elite ball skills plus very, VERY elite “take the ball to the house” skills (six in a season for Mississippi State). If you want to back a defensive back for this award, you back one who can house a few turnovers. The Washington defense is good enough not to lean on him, which means he could end up having even more opportunities for big plays.

This is a good class of rookie defenders. Clearly, CBS believes Forbes’ ball skills will translate immediately to the next level.

Through two weeks of training camp, Forbes has been extremely impressive. And playing behind Washington’s elite defensive line could lead to more opportunities for Forbes, as opposing quarterbacks will be under constant duress.

If Forbes can remain healthy, he’s an excellent bet for immediate success.

 

Sauce Gardner wins Defensive Rookie of the Year as Jets sweep rookie awards

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner has been recognized as the top defensive rookie this season.

In a vote likely surprising nobody, Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner has been named this season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Gardner led the league with 20 passes defended and added two interceptions. Gardner was voted to the Pro Bowl and was named First-Team All-Pro.

Gardner became the first rookie cornerback since Ronnie Lott in 1981 to be named First-Team All-Pro. Lott went on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Arguably the best rookie in the entire league this season, Gardner takes his rightful place as the award winner of the league’s best defensive rookie for 2022.

Gardner beat out Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen and Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. He joined his teammate Garrett Wilson as a Rookie of the Year, with Wilson winning the offensive award.

NFL Week 6 betting recap: There is a ton of value in the NFC field (if you believe in any of them)

Can the Vikings, 49ers or Giants come out of the NFC?

After Week 6, the Buffalo Bills are still regarded as the best team in the NFL, but it’s clear they aren’t the only power in the AFC.

Their game against the Kansas City Chiefs went right down to the wire again. And we still think of the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens as pretty good too, even if flawed. The Cincinnati Bengals are also hanging around.

In the NFC, the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles are the unquestioned favorites after knocking off the Dallas Cowboys. After them, there’s just a bunch of question marks.

My buddy Christian D’Andrea wrote about the “old” problem the NFC has at quarterback. That points right to three teams who were thought to be the conference’s best going into the season, the Bucs, Packers and Rams. Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford have looked anything but elite — Brady and Rodgers suffered terrible upsets Sunday — and that’s opening the door for some dark-horse contenders to come out of the NFC.

The Eagles obviously lead the pack at +200 odds at Tipico Sportsbook, but there’s still outstanding value on teams like the Vikings (+700), 49ers (+750), Cowboys (+1000) and Giants (+2000). That is if you believe in any of them.

Here are a few more takeaways from Week 6.

NFL Network analyst says Chase Young will be Washington’s MVP in 2021

NFL Network host says Chase Young will be Washington’s MVP in 2021.

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When the Washington Football Team selected Ohio State defensive end Chase Young No. 2 overall in the 2020 NFL draft, there were massive expectations almost immediately for the rookie pass-rusher.

For the most part, Young met — and crushed — those expectations in a rookie season where he played in 15 games, recorded 44 tackles, including 10 for loss, 7.5 sacks, forced four fumbles and scored one touchdown. He was named the NFL defensive rookie of the year.

Many believe Young will have an even better season in year two, including Dan Hanzus of the NFL Network, who predicted Young would be Washington’s MVP in 2021.

Chase Young entered the league as the most hyped defensive prospect since Jadeveon Clowney, and the No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 draft pretty much lived up to expectations in Year 1. A lingering groin injury acted as a bump in the road, but Young won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with impact play that hints at a massive breakout in his second season. Given his outrageous skill set, it’s not a stretch to project Young doubling the 7.5 sacks he delivered as a rookie with a couple more for good measure. Washington’s front seven is loaded with difference-makers, but Young is a one-of-one type of talent. Consider the charismatic young star one of the favorites for Defensive Player of the Year.

Young being Washington’s MVP in 2021 is certainly plausible. While Washington has upgraded its offensive talent, Young is poised for a huge year in 2021.

Young didn’t post eye-popping sack numbers as a rookie. He would often win on pure athleticism alone. Late in the year, he was beginning to win with technique, too. When he combines athleticism with multiple pass-rush moves, his sack numbers will significantly go up.

The second-year pass-rusher has everything. He is a tremendous athlete with a strong work ethic, is a respected leader and coachable. If he remains healthy, he could win multiple NFL defensive player of the year awards — perhaps as soon as 2021.

 

Patrick Queen fired up for 2nd year after DROY slight: ‘Everything’s personal now’

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen voices his frustration on the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

The Baltimore Ravens came up empty-handed at the NFL’s Honors ceremony Saturday. Though he finished third in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, Patrick Queen made sure people knew he wasn’t happy about it.

Baltimore rarely lets rookies get a lot of playing time, much less start immediately, making Queen’s 16 regular-season starts pretty remarkable. He performed well, notching 106 combined tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one fumble returned for a touchdown, three sacks, nine tackles for a loss, and 13 combined pressures.

Queen sat down for a video call with former NFL punter-turned talking-head Pat McAfee to discuss the diss. While he acknowledged the amazing season Washington’s Chase Young had and said he was deserving of the award, Queen put the focus on coming back better in 2021.

 

Queen detailed his offseason workout plans to McAfee, including training at House of Athletes down in Florida which was founded by former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

Queen is already an athletic freak, with great sideline-to-sideline speed. Where Queen could really use the help is in reading and diagnosing plays pre-snap and getting a little stronger to fend off blocks, putting himself in better positions to make plays. We should expect Queen to develop quite a bit after getting a full season of play and heading into the offseason training for football and not the NFL Scouting Combine. However, considering Queen is just 21 years old, he hasn’t even hit his physical peak yet and could shock everyone when he shows up for training camp in the summer.

When Queen says “everything’s personal” you can’t help but believe him. And for the players that’ll be going up against him next season, that’s a pretty scary thought. He might not have won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award but if Queen keeps this chip on his shoulder, he might put himself in the running for the Defensive Player of the Year award next season.

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Klutch Sports: Washington’s Chase Young wins NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Washington Football Team star Chase Young won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award on Saturday.

Over the past year and a half, Klutch Sports has expanded its operations from the basketball court to both professional baseball and football, in their hopes to continue growing as a leading representative for elite athletes across sports. Their foray into the NFL began with having two top-three draft picks, including Chase Young, who took home one of the biggest awards for a player, being named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year on Saturday night.

Young had 7.5 sacks, recovered three fumbles, and made 10 tackles for loss in 15 games. Young was the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft coming out of Ohio State, helping lead the Washington Football Team to a playoff berth.

Young and Washington lost in the Wild Card Game last month to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Young’s counterpart for Offensive Rookie of the Year was Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

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Chase Young favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of Year according to BetMGM

Former Ohio State and current Washington DE Chase Young is the favorite to take home the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year per BetMGM.

Former Ohio State and current Washington defensive end Chase Young is expected to take the NFL by storm this year. As a rookie, he has already been penciled in as a starter over four-time Pro-Bowler Ryan Kerrigan. And that’s even while battling a bit of a mild hip flexor injury in preseason camp.

Still, he’s been dominant, and there’s reason to believe he’ll break out during his first year unleashing assaults on opposing quarterbacks. He could be even more productive than fellow Buckeye brothers Joey and Nick Bosa when they hit the NFL ground running.

In fact, the popular online sportsbook BetMGM has Young as the overwhelming favorite to take home the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year this upcoming season at +220 odds. That’s better than the second-best odds from Isaiah Simmons at +550.

Washington's Chase Young goes beast mode, stands up Adrian Peterson
Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Beyond that, the top ten has some faces you may recognize — one of which is another Buckeye. Here’s a look at the top ten odds to win DROY this year in the National Football League.

Next … The top ten best odds to win NFL DPOY

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Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray a top NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate

Former OU LB Kenneth Murray is a top pick for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

After being the first Sooners taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2014, Kenneth Murray could get another first for Oklahoma.

The linebacker ranks third on NFL Draft Media Analyst Lance Zierlein’s list of candidates for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Murray only trails No. 2 overall pick Chase Young out of Ohio State and LSU’s Patrick Queen.

Zierlien immediately cites Murray’s speed, which allowed him to track down 69 solo tackles in his final season at Oklahoma. He finished with 102 in total.

Zierlein mentions Murray has “the ability to move around the field like a big running back once he diagnoses the play.”

While the 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker has few flaws, there are areas he can improve.

“If he can improve his ability to leverage gaps and take on blocks, he could end up as this season’s DROY.” Zierlien wrote.

Last season, Murray was named a third-team AP All-American, a second-team AFCA All-American  and a first-team All-Big 12 selection by Big 12 coaches and the Associated Press.

Two former Ohio State players in CBS Sports’ top ten candidates for NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year

Former Ohio State players Jeff Okudah and Chase Young are among CBS Sports’ top ten candidates for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Ohio State players had another fantastic draft, especially on the defensive side with three former Buckeyes going in the first round. Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, and Damon Arnette all had their names called on the first day of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Now might be a good time to mention that three of the last four years have seen former Ohio State players selected as the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. Joey Bosa won it in 2016, Marshon Lattimore took the honor home in 2017, and Nick Bosa claimed it last year.

It’s highly possible that a former Ohio State player wins the NFL’s Defensive ROY again this next season as well. In fact, according to CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso, there are two former Buckeyes in the top ten candidates to be the best rookie defender in the NFL.

Here’s what Trapasso says about both Chase Young and Jeff Okudah, and where he has them ranked in his top ten likely winners.

Next … The Detroit Lions’ Jeff Okudah

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