By Marvin Moore July 14, 2023
The past two NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners, Micah Parsons and Sauce Gardner, establish themselves as league superstars in their rookie campaigns. Although the defensive group from this year’s draft class will have a tough act to follow, more than a few talented defenders might stand out this upcoming season.
Parsons exploded on the scene with 84 total tackles, 13 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His 12 sacks in his first 13 career games are the fourth-most by a rookie in league history. The two-time First-Team All-Pro followed up his stellar first season with an impressive sophomore campaign that netted Parsons 13.5 sacks, 65 total tackles, 42 solo tackles, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles. He also tallied multiple sacks in a whopping six games.
Gardner became the first rookie cornerback since Ronnie Lott in the early 1980s to earn first-team All-Pro honors. The former collegiate All-American led the league with 20 passes defended, recording 75 total tackles, 51 solo tackles, and two interceptions as a lockdown cornerback.
Here are our top NFL Rookie of the Year candidates for the 2023 season.
7. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks
The fifth overall pick, Witherspoon was a consensus All-American in his final season at Illinois. The 22-year-old is a notorious big hitter who is also an accomplished trash-talker. Pete Carroll has a long history of developing elite defensive backs, and “Spoon” has all the physical tools to become a top-notch cover man.
6. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The son of former NFL linebacker Joey Porter, the former Penn State standout was the 32nd overall pick. A first-team All-Big Ten performer, Porter Jr. tallied 11 passes defended and 27 combined tackles during his junior season before declaring for the draft. The 22-year-old is an in-your-face outside corner with excellent man-to-man cover skills, and his 6-foot-3 frame provides extraordinary length.
5. Will McDonald, EDGE, New York Jets
The 15th overall pick, McDonald tallied 27 sacks over his final three seasons at Iowa. The 24-year-old is a talented outside speed rusher who will excel in attacking the outside shoulder of both right and left tackles. Head coach Robert Saleh has assembled one of the league’s top defensive units, and McDonald is a perfect fit to add more speed on the outside.
4. Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders
The seventh overall selection posted 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss over his final two seasons at Texas Tech despite suffering a season-ending foot injury in his last year before declaring for the draft.
The 6-foot-6 pass rusher is freakishly athletic and should contribute early as a rotation piece for the underwhelming Chandler Jones to assist Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby.
3. Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots
The 17th overall pick fell to Bill Belichick and the Patriots and is in a great spot to continue the franchise legacy of standout press-man cornerbacks. The first-team All-Pac-12 defensive back tallied 45 tackles, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions during his lone season at Oregon. The 21-year-old is an elite cover man who should excel in New England’s creative scheme coverages.
2. Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles got the steal of the draft, with Carter falling to the ninth pick due to character and off-the-field issues. A dominant defensive tackle who is an elite run stopper and pass rusher, the unanimous collegiate All-American is a powerful, explosive defender who joins one of the league’s best defensive fronts—a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate.
1. Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Houston Texans
The third overall pick cost the Texans a truckload of draft selections, but he has the talent to develop into one of the league’s elite pass rushers. The former Alabama standout posted 51 total tackles, 24 solo tackles, 10 sacks, and one interception during his final season with the Crimson Tide. A three-down stud, look for the two-time All-American to tally 70-plus tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 8-10 sacks in his maiden NFL campaign
