5 Defensive Rookies that will rock the NFL

Modified Aug 16, 2018 10:28 GMT

San Diego Chargers v Houston Texans — Joey Bosa

We as fans have a tendency to always look for the Offensive players that are going to shine in their rookie years, but we can't forget those that affect the opposite side of the ball. Two years ago, we had Joey Bosa miss some time with the Los Angeles Chargers and yet still won the Defensive Rookie Player of the Year. Last year New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore had a highly successful year to be named the DRPOY.

If you look at the list of winners we see many names that have changed the way the Defence is played compared to their offensive winner counterparts. Most of the winners of the DRPOY award have gone on to become the Top players at their position. From players like Von Miller, Luke Kuechly, and Aaron Donald have all won this award and now are the best at their positions.

This year there is another strong group of rookies that can win this award. A lot of them will impact their teams in special ways as previous players did.

Here is the list of the 5 rookie defensive players that will rock the NFL for the 2018 season:

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# 5 Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers, Cornerback):

Jaire Alexander is coming into a team that does not have the strongest defence in the NFL. Chosen 18th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Alexander will bring a lot of bang into a defence that has troubles defending the pass. Mike Pettine heavy blitz themed defence will rely on his cornerbacks to defend the ball as it can get a pretty heavy man on man defence. With a veteran like Tramon Williams and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on his side, he will benefit from them with the learning curve to solidify himself in the NFL. Alexander has great speed and athleticism. Built like a wide receiver, his ability to get to the ball is unmatched in the 2018 draft class. In college at Louisville he had 22 passes defended, 77 Tackles (58 were solo tackles), and 7 interceptions resisted in three seasons and 31 games there. Alexander also is an explosive returner at Louisville, if Trevor Davis runs into problems don't be surprised to see Alexander to replace him. His closest comparable would be Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

# 4 Roquan Smith (Chicago Bears, Linebacker):

Roquan Smith was a holdout for the beginning of the 2018 preseason. The only 1st Round pick that had to sign his contract yet. With that all done now, he is ready to show why the Chicago Bears used their 1st round pick (8th Overall) on this Georgia Bulldog stud. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 has all the tools to surpass Danny Trevathan as the lead linebacker on this team. His 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash is impressive, as it matches the average speed of most wide receivers and cornerbacks. This will allow Smith to have the ability to make quick decisions and make some plays on the defensive sides and make offensive coordinators afraid to throw the ball or run his way. His closest comparable in the NFL is Mark Barron of the Los Angeles Rams. Same stature as Barron, Roquan will be a tackling machine with the speed to cover across the field. He will be a bad matchup for some tight ends in the league.

# 3 Bradley Chubb (Denver Broncos, Edge):

One of the best deals in the 2018 NFL Draft was the Denver Broncos getting a defensive player like Bradley Chubb with the 5th overall pick. Bradley Chubb is a 1st overall product that dropped all the way to 5th spot because of teams needing Quarterbacks, and Cleveland being Cleveland taking Denzel Ward 4th Overall. This 6"4 269lbs. product from NC State is a beast and gives the Denver Broncos a edge tandem that only a few teams have in the NFL. Along with Von Miller as his edge partner, these two will be nightmares for any defensive coordinator they face. Chubb's raw power in his hands and the way he can step around the offensive line with his handwork will be troublesome to most lineman. The stat sheet will be full this year because of having Miller on the opposite. Chubb's most comparable player in the NFL right now is Khalil Mack.

# 2 Tremaine Edmunds (Buffalo Bills, Linebacker):

Buffalo Bills were smart enough to trade up to the 16th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to select the Virginia Tech product. After Preston Brown departed to Cincinnati in free agency, the Buffalo Bills had a big gaping hole in their middle linebacker position. Head coach Sean McDermott knew how important it was to have a linebacker. He was the defensive coordinator in Carolina where he had Luke Kuechly and Trevor Davis as his linebackers. McDermott knew the leadership and the heart was in that position and why a guy like Edmunds fits the bill. Edmunds will start right off the bat as their starting middle linebacker and will be given the green light to use his speed and his knack for the ball to roam all over the field in Leslie Frazier's defence. Buffalo linebackers have consistently been at the top for most tackles in the NFL, watch for Tremaine continue that tradition. Edmunds most comparable in the NFL is Luke Kuechly.

# 1 Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers, Safety):

Derwin James was the steal of the draft, case closed. Los Angeles Chargers got the Florida State product with the 17th overall pick. My belief is that Tremaine Edmunds and Derwin James will go back and forth as the favorites for DRPOY, but I give the slight edge to James. Having the best defensive tandem in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram will often result in more takeaways and tackles as quick decisions are made by the other team. This will result in Derwin James taking full advantage of that. His knack for the ball will make him a threat for interceptions and open tackles. His blazing speed and making quick decisive decisions at safety will make Derwin James a household name this season. His most comparable in the NFL player is Troy Polamalu. Like Troy Polamalu, James will be all over the offense making the right play at the right time.

Honorable Mentions: