Top 10 Early Favorites For The 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

By Jerry Landry
Top 10 Early Favorites For The 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year
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Top 10 Early Favorites For The 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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