When it comes to Defensive Rookie of the Year, it’s going to be a neck-and-neck race to the finish line in the final three weeks. Jared Verse had been the favorite to win the award since Week 3, but Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell overtook him in Week 15 and is now viewed as the top candidate for the award.
Members of the media will submit their votes soon and the winner will be crowned in February, but there’s no clear-cut choice as of now. It could be Verse, Mitchell or even Chop Robinson. Heck, Braden Fiske could give it a run if he shines in the last three games.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network polled general managers and executives from around the league to get their take on who will win various awards, including Defensive Player of the Year.
Verse was the top choice for that award, receiving 15 votes. That was nine more than the next-closest player, who was Mitchell with six votes. Fiske received three votes, Mike Sainristil of the Commanders got one vote, as did Texans safety Calen Bullock.
The 19th overall pick, Verse received 15 votes — evidence of what a force he has been in the Rams’ recovery from a 1-4 start to regain control of the NFC West. He has 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He leads all rookies in tackles for loss (11) and QB hits (17).
Verse has gone quiet in recent weeks, failing to record a single sack or tackle for a loss in his last five games. But he’s still having a huge impact as a pass rusher, notching 20 total pressures in those five contests – including 15 in his last three games alone.
NFL executives view him as the favorite, which he should be. His sack numbers may not be eye-popping, but neither are any other rookie’s – including Mitchell, who has zero interceptions.
