Want a great stat to help you glean who will win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award?
Since 2000, only three of the 23 winners have been picked outside the first round: DeMeco Ryans, Kendrell Bell and Shaq Leonard. And they were all second-round linebackers.
In short, if you’re going to roam outside the first 32 picks (or 31 this year, with the Dolphins’ losing their choice), good luck to you. So while we’re looking for a dark-horse winner, we’re also trying to be right. Going into the second round and beyond is a bold choice requiring a ton of daring and belief.
