2017 NFL Picks and Predictions: Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds, Favorites and Sleepers

2017 NFL Picks and Predictions – Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds, Favorites and Sleepers: Rookie minicamps have wrapped up and NFL teams are already begging voluntary OTAs. The 2017 NFL season will be here before we know it, and on the heels of another NFL Draft, it is time to take a look at the first-year players who could make a major impact and contend for Rookie of the Year Honors.

Somewhat surprisingly, the early portion of the first round was dominated by offensive players, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of strong contenders for top rookie honors on the other side of the ball. Here is a closer look at the players I expect to be in the mix for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2017.

2017 NFL Picks and Predictions: Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds, Favorites and Sleepers

The Favorites

Expectations are high after the Cleveland Browns made defensive end Myles Garrett the top pick in the NFL Draft, but the hype that comes with being the No. 1 pick already has him at the forefront of voters’ minds when it comes to Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. His athleticism is off the charts, and his combination of size, power and quickness should lead to instant production. If he gets around 10 sacks, he is going to be tough to beat out for the DROY Award.

The New York Jets got an absolute steal when safety Jamal Adams was still available with the No. 6 pick, and Adams should immediately see all the snaps he can handle for a secondary in desperate need for a playmaker. Adams does it all from the safety spot, and if he puts together a well-rounded campaign that includes plenty of tackles, a few interceptions and a couple of sacks, he is going to garner serious consideration for DROY honors.

Linebackers have enjoyed a lot of success when it comes to winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, and Arizona’s Haason Reddick has a chance to add his name to the list. Head coach Bruce Arians has already said Reddick will play the versatile rookie at both inside and outside linebacker, which should allow him to pile up plenty of tackles and potentially a decent amount of sacks.

The Contenders

He probably won’t have the gaudy tackle numbers that easily stand out on paper, but Indianapolis Colts free safety Malik Hooker is a ballhawk in the secondary. He was a turnover-creating, big-play-making machine in college, and his speed and instincts should allow him to continue to make game-changing plays at the next NFL. If Hooker leads all rookies in interceptions and adds on a defensive touchdown or two, he will be tough to ignore when it comes to the DROY Award.

A clear path to playing time and production is a prerequisite for winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett has just that. The Eagles need someone who can get some pressure off the edge, so Barnett will be turned loose on passing downs. Meanwhile, he has been praised for his polished skills, especially his ability to use his hands, so he should be able to adapt to the different looks he will see in the NFL. If he ends up leading all rookies in sacks, he won’t be overlooked.

The Sleeper

Character questions and injuries cost San Francisco linebacker Reuben Foster a chance to be drafted in the top 10, but the talent that had him being mentioned as high first-round pick didn’t go away. If Foster is healthy, he will be the new centerpiece of a San Francisco defense that was one of the all-time worst at stopping the run. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Foster lead all rookies in tackles, and he could finish as one of the top tacklers in the league. He is a high-risk, high-reward gamble for the DROY Award.

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