When it comes to the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award, one thing is clear: being a high draft pick really, really helps. On average, the last 15 players were drafted with the 11th overall pick, and all but one was a top-18 pick! This award is extremely skewed in favor of early draft picks. Take a look:

The table below shows the individual winners each year. ^[1]Note that in 1980, Falcons rookie linebackers Al Richardson (LOLB) and Buddy Curry (RILB) each received 23.5 votes in the AP voting, so the shared the award. Richardson was the 201st overall … Continue reading The Jets and Chiefs are tied with the most winners, at four. USC has the most winners among all colleges, also at four, with Arizona State second with three.

Linebacker is by far the most likely position to win the award: there have been 12 outside linebackers (13 if you include Richardson) to win it and 12 inside linebackers to win it. Defensive end is next at 10, followed by cornerback and defensive tackle (7 each) and then safety (2).  So if you’re playing at home, that means yes, Jets safety Jamal Adams will join a rare club this year by winning the DPOY award (and being the fifth Jet and second LSU Tiger to earn the honor).