Sauce Gardner entered the NFL as the flashy cornerback from Cincinnati boasting about not allowing a single touchdown during three college seasons and referring to himself as the “Chosen One.”
Gardner enjoys the spotlight and quickly displayed he thrived under it. The Jets’ No. 4 pick in the 2022 draft delivered a historic rookie season en route to being named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Many years might go by before another defensive rookie matches the high expectations Gardner exceeded last season. But it wasn’t that long ago that edge rushers Nick Bosa (2019) and Micah Parsons (’21) wrecked the league as rookies.
Every year a handful of defensive rookies become instant stars, but only one will be able to add “D’ROY” to their Twitter name. (Don’t forget to follow the entertaining D’ROY GARDNER.)
Here are our five top picks to win the award this year, including two interior defensive linemen, two cornerbacks and an edge rusher.
5. Jalen Carter, IDL, Eagles
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Carter might open training camp on the second-team defense, but this won’t be a redshirt year of any kind for the former Georgia star. Even with Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis, Carter will likely be counted on to replace the void left by Javon Hargrave, who departed Philadelphia to join San Francisco in free agency. Carter was the consensus top prospect in the draft, and often flashed as the best player on a stacked defense for the Bulldogs. It probably won’t take long for Carter, who recorded two forced fumbles and three sacks last season, to earn starting snaps in Philadelphia after consistently bulldozing through blocks against SEC competition.
But Carter dropped to No. 9 to the Eagles after he was charged with reckless driving and racing in an incident that killed two people. He was recently named in a $40 million lawsuit filed by the father of Georgia player Devin Willock, who was killed in that car crash earlier this year. Carter has plenty to deal with mentally. Perhaps the guidance of the many veterans on Philadelphia's defense might be enough to help Carter grow on and off the field.
4. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Steelers
Porter didn't hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft, but he’s still a top-32 pick as the first player taken in the second round. (This year’s first round included only 31 picks after the Dolphins forfeited their top pick due to tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton.) Porter might have fallen outside the opening round because his aggressive style often led to flags while at Penn State. But Porter will likely become a disciplined defender under coach Mike Tomlin and learning from veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson, an eight-time Pro Bowler.
But Porter’s aggressive approach benefited him in press coverage as a lengthy 6'2" outside cornerback. Also, Porter’s quickness made up for lost steps in coverage, and it led to 11 passes defended last season. If Porter wins DROY, he’d be the first non-first-round pick since Shaquille Leonard in 2018 and only the second since DeMeco Ryans 17 years ago. Pittsburgh was probably the best place for Porter to reach his untapped potential. He’s the son of Steelers great Joey Porter Sr., a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker.
3. Calijah Kancey, IDL, Buccaneers
Comparing Kancey to Rams star defensive lineman Aaron Donald is easy and unfair but not farfetched. There are some similarities between the two former Pittsburgh All-Americans, as both possess scheme versatility and rare athleticism for the position. Kancey, who’s capable of playing nose tackle and edge rusher, ran a 4.67 in the 40-yard dash, and recorded 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, the most by a defensive tackle in the FBS last season.
But Donald developed into a defensive force in the NFL because he paired his athleticism with elite strength to offset his lack of size as an interior defensive lineman. The 6'1", 281-pound Kancey wasn’t known for strength in college, but he’ll have the luxury of playing next to nose tackle Vita Vea (6'4", 347 pounds), who will likely create space for Kancey to utilize his athleticism and create pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Also, say what you want about Todd Bowles as a head coach, but he knows defense and will likely put Kancey in the best position to succeed. The No. 19 pick might not be Donald, but Kancey has the traits to deliver a remarkable rookie season in Tampa Bay.
2. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Patriots
A funny nugget that came from the first round of this year’s draft was Patriots coach Bill Belichick trading down from No. 14 to 17 to have the Steelers leapfrog the tackle-needy Jets and draft offensive tackle Broderick Jones. After Belichick pulled a fast one on his AFC East rivals, the Jets pivoted and took edge rusher Will McDonald IV, and the Patriots gained a fourth-round pick from the Steelers and still landed Gonzalez at No. 17, the last remaining prospect on New England’s list of sought-after players.
Gonzalez was viewed by many as the top cornerback in the draft due to his length, athleticism and coverage skills (6’1,” 197 pounds, 4.38 in the 40-yard dash and 11 passes defended last season). Gonzalez’s draft-day slide could be a benefit because he’ll get to work with Belichick, and he doesn’t have the pressure of being the No. 1 outside corner with the team re-signing Jonathan Jones this offseason. Also, the Patriots had solid intel on Gonzalez with new Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm being on Oregon’s staff last season—another indicator that 15 teams might have passed on a future Pro Bowl corner.
1. Will Anderson Jr., edge, Texans
Anderson was labeled by many as the safest prospect in the draft due to his highly productive three seasons at Alabama (34.5 sacks, 62 tackles for loss), making him a strong candidate to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. But the Texans didn’t trade back into the top three for Anderson’s safe floor. They relinquished a valuable 2024 first-round pick to Arizona, hoping Anderson continues to rack up sacks and tackles for loss as a dominant force in the NFL.
With plenty of motivation, Anderson will be aiming to prove the Texans right by winning the prestigious award for his coach (DeMeco Ryans), who won it with Houston in 2006. Ryans has a reputation for getting the best out of his pass rushers and will likely put Anderson in ideal matchups throughout his rookie season. Anderson excelled in various defensive schemes at Alabama as a productive standing edge rusher and rushing with his hand on the ground.
Curiously, Anderson was knocked for being too polished, possibly because NFL teams tend to value potential over college results. But Anderson’s high motor and sound technique as a run defender and pass rusher will likely lead to a successful rookie season for the No. 3 pick.
