The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award has a clear frontrunner, as Jaxson Dart is playing like by far the best first-year player, and he is doing it at the most important position in football. There are plenty of other first-year offensive players making a name for themselves, though, including Emeka Egbuka, Tyler Warren, Quinshon Judkins, Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, Oronde Gadsden, and RJ Harvey. Even Omarion Hampton and Cam Skattebo were playing quite well before suffering long-term injuries. That goes without even mentioning Cam Ward and Travis Hunter, who were the first and second overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
There isn’t as much depth and star power emerging on the defensive side of the ball. So, with the NFL season halfway over, which players are in the running for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award? Check out the gallery to find out.
5. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys, Edge
Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons before the start of the season. While Dallas’ defense has suffered because of that move, it did allow rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku to find an immediate role. The Cowboys’ pass rush isn’t great, although it should improve after the trade deadline acquisition of Quinnen Williams. Ezeiruaku has managed two sacks so far, though.
He also leads the team with six tackles for a loss. The presence of a new Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle might open things up for Ezeiruaku to put up even bigger numbers going forward.
4. Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns, LB
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Carson Schwesinger got off to a hot start after the Cleveland Browns took him in the second round. The linebacker from UCLA leads his team with 64 combined tackles, as he has shown a nose for the football. That mark is also the most of any rookie, regardless of team or position. Schwesinger has thrived on a Browns defense that is actually one of the best in the NFL, even if Cleveland’s record leaves a lot to be desired.
However, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year will be easier said than done for Schwesinger because an ankle injury may force him to miss time. If Schwesinger returns quicker than expected and puts up big numbers going forward, he will still be in the running for a wide-open Rookie of the Year race. The Browns have traded some of his defensive teammates, though, such as Greg Newsome and trade deadline departure Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. That won’t make life easier on Schwesinger, but he will have more of a chance to prove that he wasn’t just a product of the system through the early portion of the season. Schwesinger’s teammate, Myles Garrett, is a Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner.
3. Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks, DB
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Nick Emmanwori was a standout at the NFL Combine. There, the safety from South Carolina mesmerized in the 10-yard split, vertical leap, broad jump, and 40-yard dash. He is proving that athleticism does translate to the top level, as he is having a great rookie year with the Seattle Seahawks.
With two passes defensed and 23 combined tackles, Emmanwori is thriving both in the passing game and against the run. A safety by trade, Emmanwori has spent a lot of time playing in the nickel this season. He missed time early, so he only has five games played so far, but his physical prowess has been on display when he has been available. The Seahawks are winning games, too, so if the Defensive Rookie of the Year race is close, voters could defer to Emmanwori and the Seahawks’ record.
2. Jihaad Campbell, Philadelphia Eagles, LB
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Howie Roseman had a lot of work to do rebuilding the Philadelphia Eagles after a number of key contributors bolted in free agency after the team won the Super Bowl. He has done a pretty great job, largely in part because Jihaad Campbell was a draft-day hit. The linebacker has paired quite well next to Zack Baun.
Campbell has 45 combined tackles this season. He has been making plays all over the football field, and that includes when dropping back in pass coverage. The Eagles are in a prime position to win the Super Bowl again, and Campbell is a big reason why they are still contending.
1. Abdul Carter, New York Giants, DE
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Brian Burns leads the NFL with 11 sacks. While his pass-rushing partners Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter haven’t racked up the sack numbers, they have created the pressure to allow Burns to get the quarterback down. Carter was the first true defensive player taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, as quarterback Cam Ward and two-way player Travis Hunter were the only players taken before him.
He only has half a sack on the season, but his impact has been felt in a big way. There is a chance that a Giants’ star takes home both the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards. However, Carter is leaving the door wide open, and if statistics don’t start to match the eye test, he could quickly fall down these rankings. Jared Verse winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award with just 4.5 sacks last season may help Carter’s case.
The post NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Best first-year players on defense through nine weeks appeared first on ClutchPoints.
