Browns’ Schwesinger Wins NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger has secured the prestigious NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The announcement came during the NFL Honors ceremony held on Thursday night.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Finalists
Schwesinger faced tough competition from other standout players, including:
- Abdul Carter (New York Giants)
- Nick Emmanwori (Seattle Seahawks)
- Xavier Watts (Atlanta Falcons)
- James Pearce Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)
Voting Results
The voting results for the Defensive Rookie of the Year showcased Schwesinger’s dominance:
| Player | First-place Votes | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Carson Schwesinger | 40 | 441 |
| Nick Emmanwori | 7 | 199 |
| James Pearce Jr. | 2 | 173 |
| Xavier Watts | 1 | 102 |
| Abdul Carter | 0 | 72 |
Season Performance
During his rookie season, Schwesinger made a significant impact on the field. As the 33rd overall pick, he emerged as a top off-ball linebacker.
In 16 games, he recorded:
- 156 tackles (11 for loss)
- 3 pass breakups
- 2.5 sacks
- 2 interceptions
Historical Significance
Schwesinger’s achievement is especially notable as he is the first off-ball linebacker to win this award since Shaquille Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts in 2018. This accolade highlights his exceptional performance and contribution to the Browns’ defense.
His success is particularly impressive given that edge rushers won the award in the previous two seasons. With such a strong debut season, Schwesinger has firmly established himself among the top defensive players in the NFL.
