NFL 2018/19: Who will win all the major NFL awards this season?

Defensive Rookie of the Year

1. Minkah Fitzpatrick

2. Roquan Smith

3. Harold Landry

This was a tough one to call for me. While I had Saquon Barkley and Quenton Nelson as my top two overall prospects and we had four quarterbacks selected within the first ten picks, this draft was loaded with defensive talent. Therefore it wasn’t easy to simply go with the top three guys, but instead, I looked at who will have the best chance to succeed and I even considered two second-round picks.

Let’s start with kind of a darkhorse candidate right away. I had Harold Landry as my number three edge rusher in this draft class and I thought only Bradley Chubb was more ready to hunt quarterbacks than him. The BC product has a ridiculous bend, which enables him to flatten and turn the corner as well as any rookie out there.

He has already shown that his game translates to the pros in limited preseason action and I believe he could put up double-digit sacks from the get-go. With Brian Orakpo getting up there in age and Derrick Morgan banged up right now, Landry could make an impact early and often if he ankle if fine.

The next guy is a more common pick. Roquan Smith was the first linebacker selected in the 2018 draft and I think he fits perfectly into what the Bears want to do. The former Bulldog has a chance to be the same kind of sideline-to-sideline menace guys like Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman have been under Vic Fangio.

It will be crucial for the Chicago D-line to keep Smith clean because his only issue is the fact he can not take on bigger bodies in the run game, but he has speed to show up anywhere on the field, he lights people up coming into his area, he shoots gaps in the run game and he has the ability to close as well as anybody I’ve seen in college football for a while now not named Reuben Foster.

Minkah Fitzpatrick is my pick to take home the trophy, however. I absolutely loved this kid ever since I first saw him trot out at corner for the Crimson Tide as a freshman. When he stepped in at free safety for Alabama I realized what kind of range he has and when the coaches started deploying him all over the field, I understood the type of versatility he brings to the table.

I thought Minkah was a steal at 11th overall and I believe he will be the Dolphins’ best overall player. He is a playmaker, culture changer and just great overall player, who will have the numbers to back up my case for him as DROY.

Others considered: Derwin James (Chargers), Josh Jackson (Packers)