NFL Draft Geek Home 2012 NFL Mock Draft Create Your Own NFL Mock Draft2013 NFL Draft Rankings NFL Draft Geek Forums NFL Draft Geek Extras Contact NFL Draft Geek

N.F.L Rookie Watch (Defensive)

Updated: January 3rd

By: Kyle Howe

Like on offense, the Defensive Rookie of the Year was extremely difficult to choose! We had three guys in particular who played at an All-Pro level, and made huge impacts for their teams in year one. Who does the award go to? Read to find out! Click here for the Offensive Rankings.

Luke Kuechly R.O.Y

1. Luke Kuechly- LB Carolina Panthers

When you break it down, this year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year contest was a battle between three guys: Luke Kuechly, Casey Hayward, and Bobby Wagner. Any of these guys could win DROY depending on the votes. After leading the league in tackles as a rookie, and much improving his team’s defense since last season, Luke Kuechly gets our nod for Defensive Rookie of the Year. A tackling machine, Kuechly finished the season with 164 tackles, a sack, and 2 interceptions. Unfortunately, Kuechly gets overshadowed by the gaudy persona of Cam Newton on his team, but in the end, Kuechly is the leader of this team. Manti Te’o is going to have some very high expectations as he comes into the league next year. Kuechly set the standard for rookie linebackers the same way Patrick Willis did in 2007.
Bobby Wagner DROY

2. Bobby Wagner- LB Seattle Seahawks

We went back and forth between Kuechly and Wagner at the #1 spot. Is there any way they can share it??? While "Russell Mania" gets all the credit, Bobby Wagner has been just as important as Wilson for the Seahawks. Wagner has been a leader and playmaker on defense you don’t find in rookies. While his stats don’t measure up to Kuechly’s, he had the same amount of impact. All year long he was outstanding and when Brandon Browner went out, the Seattle defense didn’t miss a beat as they continued to shutdown offenses and win blowout games. Contribute this to Bobby Wagner and his leadership abilities. If Wagner wins DROY, we would not be a bit surprised, but for now, we’re giving Kuechly the slight edge based on how well he did with such little help from his teammates.

Casey Hayward DROY

3. Casey Hayward- CB Green Bay Packers

When the Packers drafted Casey Hayward in the second round in this year’s draft, not too many people were certain on what to expect from the cornerback out of Vanderbilt. We here at NFL Draft Geek always viewed him as a vastly underrated prospect, but even we were surprised at just how quickly Hayward became elite. Hayward did everything for the Packers this year. He showed excellent athleticism to hold his own in man-coverage (Which many doubted), made plays on the ball, against the run he did a great job, and excelled in press coverage as well. After finishing the season with 53 tackles, 27 pass break ups, 6 interceptions, and a forced fumble, its hard not to put Hayward as our choice for DROY, and we would be surprised to see him win it either.
Janoris Jenkins Rookie

4. Janoris Jenkins- CB St Louis Rams

A guy who appeared to be a favorite to win DROY earlier on in the season was Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins was off to a hot start but after a few inconsistent performances, Jenkins really took a tumble. In the last 4-5 weeks however, Jenkins has really taken off, and played like he was at the beginning of the season. He’s an all-around playmaker and the type of guy who usually wins DROY, and a lot of the time a guy with three pick 6’s on the season is a lock! Janoris isn't going to take the #1 spot, but Jenkins play this year has got Jeff Fisher and the Rams front office looking like geniuses for taking the gamble on him.
Vontaze Burfict Rookie of the Year

5. Vontaze Burfict- LB Cincinnati Bengals

Without question, the most surprising player of this list. Burfict was the 2012 draft's ‘boom-or-bust’ pick, actually, he couldn’t even be called that honestly as he wasn’t picked at all and went undrafted. After getting his act together, and finding a home in Cincinnati, Burfict has really made his presence felt. Finishing the season with 127 tackles and a sack, including 18 tackles in a Week 17 victory over the division rival Baltimore Ravens, Burfict became one of the best players on the Bengals defense, and has helped take the defense from average to great. With guys like Burfict and Geno Atkins on this Bengals defense, the Bengals could find themselves going past the Wild Card and making a nice playoff run. Burfict and Arian Foster will be a great matchup to watch as the Bengals take on the Texans in the ‘Wild Card’ round of the playoffs this weekend.