The Top Defensive Rookie of the Year Candidates in 2015

The 2015 NFL draft class was filled with talented defenders. Teams that were looking for instant-impact playmakers had a rich group to choose from. As the rookies settle into their new situation, there are several standout Defensive Rookie Player of the Year candidates in 2015.

To build a strong enough resume for the Defensive Rookie of the Year, a player must be able to earn a significant amount of snaps early. That’s obvious, but key for our shortlist candidates. All will figure to be pivotal players for their defenses.

Another major component is standout talent. Recent Defensive Rookie of the Year winners include Von Miller (2011), Luke Kuechly (2012), Sheldon Richardson (2013), and Aaron Donald (2014). Those are All-Pro-caliber players who made their mark early in the NFL. Expect the 2015 winner to be of similar ilk.

Finally, we considered their competition across the league. The league values impact pass-rushers and secondary performers more than other positions. Sacks and forced turnovers are invaluable in these award races.

Who do you think will win the 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year award? Let us know in the comments section below.

Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons

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Our leading candidate for the award as the season nears is Atlanta edge-rusher Vic Beasley. The Clemson product matches elite physical upside with a history of incredible production.

Over the course of three seasons, Beasley tallied 52.5 tackles for loss and 33 sacks. It wasn’t as if he was playing low-level competition, either, as the ACC routinely produces quality NFL talent. His on-field polish and technique will quickly translate in the NFL.

Beasley’s athleticism is the biggest reason for optimism. He blew every combine measurement out of the water, ranking in the 84th percentile or better in all physical workouts. His speed and lower-body explosion is obvious on film, too, so he’s not just a combine warrior.

Atlanta cannot afford to keep Beasley off the field on passing plays. The Falcons lack a true pass-rusher opposite of Adrian Clayborn. Beasley is the perfect candidate to receive a large quantity of snaps and produce quality all season long.

Randy Gregory, Dallas Cowboys

LM Otero/Associated Press

In terms of pure talent acquired, the Dallas Cowboys may have stolen draft weekend. Much has been made of their first two selections, Byron Jones and Randy Gregory. Factor in free-agent signing La’el Collins, and the praise has been well deserved.

Second-round pick Randy Gregory could become the best of the bunch. He’s a terrific natural pass-rusher. At 6’5”, his length and frame can blossom in the NFL. His weight is an issue right now for a full-time player, but he can be very effective in obvious passing situations.

Gregory’s production was solid in two seasons, totaling 25.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. He faced constant double-teams when opposing offenses weren’t running all over the defense. Despite this, Gregory was able to flash dominance with his rushing prowess.

Dallas is a great situation for Gregory to excel. Greg Hardy’s suspension is an issue for the team, but it opens up hundreds of snaps for Gregory in the meantime. Across from Demarcus Lawrence, Gregory can develop. Expect to see a rotation of Jeremy Mincey and Gregory be quite productive in terms of quarterback pressures and sacks.

Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

The lone cornerback on this shortlist was also the most pro-ready in the class. Washington cornerback Marcus Peters has all of the traits of a future star at cornerback. He’s physical, long, tough, smart and instinctive.

The Kansas City Chiefs revamped their secondary via the draft, and the dividends could be huge. Starting cornerback Sean Smith is going to miss the first two games due to suspension, which will throw Peters into the fire early. He will certainly be challenged often, facing superstar quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers twice, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger.

It’s rare for a cornerback to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The last time a corner won was 1998, when future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson earned it. Former Chiefs corner Dale Carter won it before Woodson back in 1992.

Peters will find himself at least in the conversation for the award if he can adjust to the NFL as quickly as Woodson and Carter.

Hau’oli Kikaha, New Orleans Saints

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

The New Orleans Saints have done a nice job adding veteran talent to their defense this offseason. As long as the defense does not revert back to its 2014 performance, then this is a team capable of competing for the NFC South and potentially more. One young player who can provide a major boost is Hau’oli Kikaha.

The Washington pass-rusher does not rely on athleticism to be productive. He is an average athlete, instead relying on his excellent hand technique. As opposed to being a rookie who needs time to improve, he’s ready to contribute right now.

Kikaha will have to battle with veteran Anthony Spencer for playing time. That could mean Kikaha will only see third-down pass-rush duties. Even if that is the case, he can compile a solid number of sacks.

If he can put comparable numbers up and his team is winning, he can vault himself into the DROY race.

Landon Collins, New York Giants

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Entering the draft, the New York Giants had a gaping hole at the safety position after Antrel Rolle departed. The board fell perfectly for the Giants to fill that need in the second round. Alabama star safety Landon Collins was the obvious pick, and he will start immediately.

Collins struggled at times in 2014 due to injuries. His coverage skills leave room for improvement, without a doubt. He is not the instinctual single-high type that has such value around the league.

That being said, he is still a potential impact safety. Collins has a thick build that can deliver punishing blows near the line of scrimmage. His impact in the run game and as a physical enforcer was worth the second-round investment alone.

The Giants look like a great landing spot for Collins’ skill set. Cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are one of the best tandems in the NFL, which should ease the pressure on Collins in coverage situations.

Benardrick McKinney, Houston Texans

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

The Houston Texans added an instant starter to their defense in the second round of the draft in linebacker Benardrick McKinney. The Mississippi State product made 243 total tackles in three seasons. His ability to step onto the field Day 1 for the Texans and fill a hole inside is a major boost to the defense.

McKinney has elite size for the position. He’s 6’4” and 246 pounds with enough range to go from sideline to sideline. He especially shines when working downhill. As the strong inside linebacker, McKinney will be doing just that quite often.

The knock on McKinney’s game is his instincts. He didn’t show the natural feel for the game that makes linebackers like Luke Kuechly stand out in the NFL. Maybe a more simplified role can help mitigate that issue, and he can be as productive for the Texans as he was for the Bulldogs.

If he can be, then he will be in the thick of the DROY race at the end of 2015.

All stats used are from sports-reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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