DROY Watch: Who Are the Top Contenders for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025?
The 2025 NFL season is underway, and while offenses are putting up points, the defensive rookies are making their presence felt. The race for Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) is already heating up, with several standouts emerging as potential candidates. Let’s dive into the top contenders who are making waves early in their NFL careers.
Abdul Carter: The Early Favorite
Coming into the season, Abdul Carter, the edge rusher from Penn State and the No. 3 overall pick by the New York Giants, was the odds-on favorite to win DROY. And through the first two weeks, he hasn’t disappointed. Carter’s explosiveness and versatility have translated well to the NFL, and he’s already making an impact on the Giants’ defense.
Last season at Penn State, Carter racked up a team-high 12 sacks and led the country with 24 tackles for loss. The Giants’ defense already boasts Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawrence II, but they couldn’t pass on Carter’s skill set. He’s drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons and Von Miller, high praise for any young defensive player.
Jalon Walker: Rising Star in Atlanta
Jalon Walker, the linebacker from Georgia, was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 15 overall pick. Walker’s athleticism and versatility have impressed the Falcons’ coaching staff, and he’s quickly become a key part of their defense.
Walker recorded 61 tackles and 6.5 sacks in his final season for the Georgia Bulldogs. Some believe that Walker could emerge as the bedrock of Atlanta’s pass rush. The Falcons have struggled to develop an edge rusher for years, which is why they invested heavily in the position in the 2025 draft.
Jihaad Campbell: A Perfect Fit in Philadelphia
Jihaad Campbell, the linebacker from Alabama, landed in an ideal situation with the Philadelphia Eagles. Campbell’s versatility and playmaking ability make him a perfect fit for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme.
During his final year with Alabama, Campbell racked up 5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and an interception. With Nakobe Dean sidelined with an injury, Campbell should start alongside Zack Baun and Bryce Huff. Campbell was a great run defender, coverage player, and blitzer for Alabama, and the Eagles’ coaching staff will only help him improve.
Will Johnson: A Potential Steal for Arizona
Will Johnson, the cornerback from Michigan, was considered a potential top-5 pick before injury concerns caused him to fall to the Arizona Cardinals in the second round. If Johnson can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a shutdown corner and a DROY contender.
Johnson had an impressive season at Michigan, despite dealing with injuries. Before his draft stock plummeted, he was considered a potential top-5 pick. If he can overcome his injury problems, he can easily contend for DROY, especially in Arizona, where he’ll have plenty of opportunities to make plays.
Mason Graham: Disruptive Force on the Browns’ Defensive Line
Mason Graham, the defensive tackle from Michigan, was drafted by the Cleveland Browns. Graham’s disruptive ability against both the run and pass made him one of the top defensive tackles in the 2025 draft.
Graham was widely considered the top defensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was drafted into a Browns team whose defensive tackle room is considered pretty weak, which allows Graham to get a lot of opportunities.
Other Contenders to Watch
While the players listed above are the early frontrunners, several other rookies could emerge as DROY contenders as the season progresses:
- Mykel Williams (49ers): A talented edge rusher with the potential to be a disruptive force.
- Shemar Stewart (Bengals): A big, fast, and strong defensive lineman.
- Mike Green (Ravens): An edge rusher with a knack for getting to the quarterback.
- Travis Hunter (Jaguars): A two-way player who could make an impact on both defense and offense.
- Carson Schwesinger (Browns): A linebacker walking into a favorable situation with a starting spot open due to injury.
DROY Betting Trends
Historically, edge rushers and linebackers have dominated the DROY award. In recent years, cornerbacks have also emerged as contenders. Here are some notable trends:
- An edge rusher has won DROY in 5 of the last 6 seasons.
- A cornerback has won DROY in 3 of the last 10 years.
- Shaquille Leonard is the only off-ball linebacker to win the award in the last 10 seasons.
- Aaron Donald was the last defensive tackle to win the award back in 2014.
Conclusion
The race for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025 is wide open, with several talented players vying for the award. Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, and Jihaad Campbell are the early favorites, but Will Johnson and Mason Graham could also make a strong push. As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see which of these rookies will rise to the top and claim the DROY title.