2020 NFL Draft: 5 Best Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates

The 2020 Draft is over — now it’s time to look at the rookies who will make the biggest impact and be in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

NFL defense is all about toughness, flying to the ball, making impact plays and imposing your will on the offense. There’s no doubt every rookie from the 2020 NFL Draft class is readying himself to make a big impression for their team. But only one will be able to call himself Defensive Rookie of the Year at the end of the 2020 season.

These 2020 rookies are hoping to join the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Charles Woodson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Von Miller, Marcus Peters, Aaron Donald and 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa. Every rookie technically has a chance to win the award. However, history favors those taken within the first two rounds of the draft. As a matter of fact, Darius Leonard is the only Day 2 prospect to win the award since Kendrell Bell won in 2001.

The award brings good news for defensive lineman and edge rushers. Six of the last 10 winners played on the defensive line as either an edge rusher or defensive tackle. Defensive backs aren’t so lucky, with only two players taking home the award since Charles Woodson won it in 1998.

Another fun fact, the last three Defensive Rookie of the Year winners were part of playoff teams. The Panthers had an all-defensive draft, which should increase their odds — but that also isn’t likely. And for those hoping or expecting to see Jeffrey Okudah, sorry Lions fans. The last two corners that won the award were on teams that went 11-5 and I can’t see the Lions doing that.

Despite his team and traits, Patrick Queen didn’t make the cut either since there are two other linebackers I believe will have a bigger impact on their team and the stat sheets. Still, there are so many excellent candidates with the team and talent to win the award. These are the five best candidates from the 2020 NFL Draft to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.