Top 10 Early Favorites For The 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year By Jerry Landry ← Tip: Use keyboard arrows to navigate → PREV NEXT Top 10 Early Favorites For The 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year Credit: Twitter Although the 2015 NFL Draft didn’t sparkle with marquee players, you can’t fault the players that will be earning their wages on the more thankless side of the ball. Defense is a lunch-pail job and the draft was filled with hard-working, hard-nosed prospects. Here are my ten early favorites that’ll both impress and incite fear from the shadows -- my initial picks for Defensive Rookie Of The Year. Top 10 Early Favorites For The 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year Although the 2015 NFL Draft didn’t sparkle with marquee players, you can’t fault the players that will be earning their wages on the more thankless side of the ball. Defense is a lunch-pail job and the draft was filled with hard-working, hard-nosed prospects. Here are my ten early favorites that’ll both impress and incite fear from the shadows -- my initial picks for Defensive Rookie Of The Year. 10. Leonard Williams — New York Jets Credit: Twitter Three years ago, Leonard Williams was the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year with the USC Trojans. Every year since setting that high bar, Williams has improved. The NFL is an iron maiden when it comes to learning curves, but Williams has the talent and the 6-foot-5, 302 pound frame to obliterate any plateau. 10. Leonard Williams — New York Jets Three years ago, Leonard Williams was the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year with the USC Trojans. Every year since setting that high bar, Williams has improved. The NFL is an iron maiden when it comes to learning curves, but Williams has the talent and the 6-foot-5, 302 pound frame to obliterate any plateau. 9. Danny Shelton — Cleveland Browns Credit: Twitter It’s insanely early, but Danny Shelton already appears to have the intangible attitude and resolve that’ll serve well in the NFL. Behind Shelton’s memorable draft entrance, hides the even bigger story of his resolve and adversity. From coping with a sibling’s shooting death, to conquering the grief and starring for the Washington Huskies, Shelton has already overcome more adversity than most of us have even experienced. 9. Danny Shelton — Cleveland Browns It’s insanely early, but Danny Shelton already appears to have the intangible attitude and resolve that’ll serve well in the NFL. Behind Shelton’s memorable draft entrance, hides the even bigger story of his resolve and adversity. From coping with a sibling’s shooting death, to conquering the grief and starring for the Washington Huskies, Shelton has already overcome more adversity than most of us have even experienced. 8. Shane Ray — Denver Broncos Credit: Twitter Marijuana isn’t that big of a deal, unless you’re just an apathetic person to begin with. Then it doesn’t matter if binge on “bud,” beer or fast food, you’re just a liability anyway. Although Ray dropped a few slots in the draft, that chip now on this former Missouri Tigers’ shoulder could evolve into a boulder. 8. Shane Ray — Denver Broncos Marijuana isn’t that big of a deal, unless you’re just an apathetic person to begin with. Then it doesn’t matter if binge on “bud,” beer or fast food, you’re just a liability anyway. Although Ray dropped a few slots in the draft, that chip now on this former Missouri Tigers’ shoulder could evolve into a boulder. 7. Trey Flowers — New England Patriots Credit: Twitter You don’t think the Patriots won’t be motivated after the DeflateGate discipline? When SpyGate went down after week one in 2007, the Pats went on to win every single one of their next 17 games. You bet it’s next man up time in Foxborough and you bet Trey Flowers has a shot. 7. Trey Flowers — New England Patriots You don’t think the Patriots won’t be motivated after the DeflateGate discipline? When SpyGate went down after week one in 2007, the Pats went on to win every single one of their next 17 games. You bet it’s next man up time in Foxborough and you bet Trey Flowers has a shot. 6. Vic Beasley — Atlanta Falcons Credit: Twitter If Vic Beasley finds the backfield in the NFL as he did at Clemson, then it's game over, Defensive ROY and Pro Bowl all in one year. 6. Vic Beasley — Atlanta Falcons If Vic Beasley finds the backfield in the NFL as he did at Clemson, then it's game over, Defensive ROY and Pro Bowl all in one year. 5. Trae Waynes — Minnesota Vikings Credit: Twitter A corner hasn’t won NFL Defensive ROY honors since Charles Woodson in 1998. Wouldn’t be ironic if a former Michigan State Spartans’ standout hauled this one in? Sending both a one-up as well as a nod-down to “Big Brother.” 5. Trae Waynes — Minnesota Vikings A corner hasn’t won NFL Defensive ROY honors since Charles Woodson in 1998. Wouldn’t be ironic if a former Michigan State Spartans’ standout hauled this one in? Sending both a one-up as well as a nod-down to “Big Brother.” 4. Shaq Thompson — Carolina Panthers Credit: Twitter Let Luke Kuechly take Shaq Thompson on as a protege and see what happens. Thompson is arguably the most versatile product of the draft -- having played linebacker, safety, and running back while at Washington -- and could turn this wild adaptability into a valuable asset. 4. Shaq Thompson — Carolina Panthers Let Luke Kuechly take Shaq Thompson on as a protege and see what happens. Thompson is arguably the most versatile product of the draft -- having played linebacker, safety, and running back while at Washington -- and could turn this wild adaptability into a valuable asset. 3. Jalen Collins - Atlanta Falcons Credit: Twitter If Jalen Collins can put the failed drug tests behind him, and put his talent first, we could have a corner-loaded year in the Defensive ROY race. 3. Jalen Collins - Atlanta Falcons If Jalen Collins can put the failed drug tests behind him, and put his talent first, we could have a corner-loaded year in the Defensive ROY race. 2. Malcom Brown - New England Patriots Credit: Twitter What the Patriots don’t know about ball pressure, New England knows about linemen. Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour... Malcom Brown? Brown was a steal at the end of the first round for New England and whether Brown rates as an end-round pick is irrelevant -- the former Texas Longhorns tackle couldn't have found a better franchise. 2. Malcom Brown - New England Patriots What the Patriots don’t know about ball pressure, New England knows about linemen. Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour... Malcom Brown? Brown was a steal at the end of the first round for New England and whether Brown rates as an end-round pick is irrelevant -- the former Texas Longhorns tackle couldn't have found a better franchise. 1. Bud Dupree - Pittsburgh Steelers Credit: Twitter Arguably the prospect with the most heart just went to linebacker nirvana. How could you not see Dupree flourishing with the Steelers? Yes, Dick LeBeau is gone, but the defensive culture remains. 1. Bud Dupree - Pittsburgh Steelers Arguably the prospect with the most heart just went to linebacker nirvana. How could you not see Dupree flourishing with the Steelers? Yes, Dick LeBeau is gone, but the defensive culture remains. PREV NEXT Share You May Also Like Related Stories Watch: NFL Players Bring Touchdown Celebrations To 'Tonight Show' NFL Refuses Police Request to Investigate Michael Bennett Las Vegas Incident Tottenham Hotspur Releases Video of New Stadium That Will Host NFL Games in Future Odell Beckham Jr. Reaches Out to Hurricane Harvey Victims with Donation Video Rajon Rondo Impresses Drew Brees at Saints Practice with Super Accurate Pass Cam Newton Says It's 'Unfair' Colin Kaepernick Isn't On NFL Roster