Three Picks and a Long Shot for The 2023 NFL Top Defensive Rookie of The Year

Introduction

Every year, the NFL draft brings a new crop of young talent with high expectations. Among them are the defensive rookies who are expected to make an immediate impact on their teams. While some would become the future superstars of the league, others fail to deliver and end up labeled busts.
In this article, we take a look at three picks and a long shot as the potential candidates for the 2023 NFL Top Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Top 3 Picks:

1. Micah Parsons – Dallas Cowboys

Parsons was the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s a versatile linebacker who can play on both the outside and inside positions. In Penn State, Parsons earned the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year Award and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year Award in 2019, proving his capabilities as a defensive player.
In Dallas, Parsons is expected to be the key piece of the Cowboys’ defensive lineup, and his speed, agility, and aggressiveness on the field could earn him serious consideration for the Rookie of the Year award in 2023.

2. Patrick Surtain II – Denver Broncos

Surtain was the 9th overall pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2021 draft. A cornerback for the University of Alabama, Surtain was the first defensive back taken in the draft and has a lot of expectations riding on him.
Surtain is praised for his intelligence and physicality on the field, enabling him to shut down some of the best receivers in college football. His size and speed will help him make an impact for the young Denver secondary and compete for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2023.

3. Jamin Davis – Washington

Davis, a linebacker, will start his NFL career with the Washington Football Team after being their 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft. In his time in Kentucky, Davis made 102 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and three forced fumbles in 2020. Davis’s athleticism and excellent tackling skills make him an ideal candidate to make an immediate impact for the Washington Football Team defense, making him a potential candidate for the Rookie of the Year award.

The Long Shot:

Jevon Holland – Miami Dolphins

Holland, a safety, was taken in the second round by the Miami Dolphins in the 2021 draft. Holland is a hybrid safety who can also play as a slot cornerback, which makes him even more valuable for the Dolphins’ defense. Holland started two seasons at Oregon, recording 110 tackles, nine interceptions, and 4.5 tackles for a loss during his college career.
Holland’s versatility and ability to create turnovers make him a contender for the Rookie of the Year award, making him a long shot candidate for the award in 2023.

Conclusion

The NFL draft is always in talks for bringing new and talented players into the game. Defensive rookies have a lot to live up to, but the potential for greatness is there. Micah Parsons, Patrick Surtain II, Jamin Davis, and Jevon Holland are the rookies to watch out for as they embark on their journey towards NFL stardom and potentially winning the 2023 NFL Top Defensive Rookie of the Year award.