Rams News: Will Anderson Jr. of the Texans defeats Kobie Turner to win defensive rookie of the year.
Houston Texans’ rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. clinched the title of the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, narrowly surpassing Los Angeles Rams’ rookie defensive tackle Kobie Turner.
Among the contenders for the award were Anderson and Turner, alongside other finalists such as Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Pittsburgh Steelers’ cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Anderson’s victory is well-deserved, given his impressive performance in the 2023 NFL season. He tallied 59 pressures, 45 tackles (including 10 for loss), 22 quarterback hits, and seven sacks. Notably, he is the first player from the Texans to receive the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor since Brian Cushing in 2009.
Houston had additional cause for celebration as C.J. Stroud also secured the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Despite being the lowest-drafted player among the Defensive Rookie of the Year nominees, Turner faced a significant challenge. Selected with the No. 89 overall pick, he swiftly emerged as a key player in the Rams’ starting rotation. The voting results, as reported by Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press, placed Turner in third position.
While Anderson had more opportunities as an edge rusher, Turner showcased his skills in the interior, leading all rookies in sacks with nine. His achievements included 57 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
The Rams’ defense was initially expected to face challenges after parting ways with key veterans, but players like Byron Young and Turner played crucial roles in the team’s swift rebuilding process. Despite Turner possibly facing vote deductions due to his proximity to Aaron Donald, his accomplishments in his debut season with the Rams remain noteworthy. Looking ahead, Turner has the chance to validate his capabilities with another strong showing in the 2024 season.
While Turner fell short of winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, he earned a spot on the PFWA’s All-Rookie Team, underscoring the overall success of the Rams in the 2023 NFL Draft. Alongside teammates Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, and Byron Young, Turner contributed to the team’s promising future.
