CLEVELAND, Ohio — When the Browns took Carson Schwesinger with the No. 33 pick in April, there was one big question attached to him:
Could he fill the void of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah?
The veteran weakside linebacker was ruled out for the 2025 NFL season due to a neck injury, so the Browns went and drafted … another weakside linebacker.
Fast forward to the end of the season and Schwesinger has been more than advertised.
Ahead of Week 16, Schwesinger has done more than arguably become the best rookie linebacker in the NFL.
He’s been among the league’s best.
Each week, the rookie has displayed a sense of instinct mixed with hard hits that further propelled respect for the Browns’ defensive unit.
This all has led to Schwesinger becoming a strong candidate for winning the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Who else is he competing with?
The candidates
Through a mixture of data we’ve curated our own list of the top candidates for the award. Aside from Schwesinger, the No. 33 pick, here’s who else is going for the accolade:
- Abdul Carter, edge – New York Giants (No. 3)
- Jalon Walker, edge – Atlanta Falcons (No. 15)
- Jahdae Barron, cornerback – Denver Broncos (No. 20)
- Jihaad Campbell, linebacker – Philadelphia Eagles (No. 31)
- Nick Emmanwori, safety – Seattle Seahawks (No. 35)
How do we compare and contrast who’s the clear-cut candidate to win the award?
We will compare Schwesinger to his peers through tackling efficiency, yards allowed after catch, and pass rush productivity.
Note: These rankings are specifically tied to the rookies. They don’t include the entire NFL.
Efficient tackling
Schwesinger currently holds 133 total tackles to his name. That ranks sixth among all players, let alone rookies.
However, he holds up in the area of solo tackles (59), which ties for 17th in the NFL, and leads all rookies.
Where did these rookies rank in solo tackles?
- Emmanwori ranks third (50 tackles).
- Campbell ranks 13th (32).
- Carter ranks 21st (22).
- Walker ranks 24th (21).
- Barron N/A (19).
Schwesinger currently ranks 20th in missed tackle percentage among qualifying rookie defenders (11.6%), per PFF.
Where do his peers rank in missed tackle percentage?
- Walker ranks sixth (6.9%).
- Campbell ties for seventh (7.1%).
- Emmanwori ties for 12th (8.5%).
- Barron ranks 19th (11.5%).
- Carter ties for 31st (17.5%).
Yards after catch per reception
Schwesinger currently allows an average of 9.5 yards after catch, which ranks 25th among all rookie defenders per PFF.
Where did these rookies rank in yards after catch per reception?
- Campbell ranks 13th (11.4 YAC)
- Emmanwori ranks 24th (9.1 YAC).
- Barron ranks 31st (10.9 YAC).
- Walker ties for 37th (12.0 YAC).
- Carter ranks 58th (19.0 YAC).
Coverage
Schwesinger holds a 64.5 coverage grade this season from PFF, which ranks ninth among rookie defenders.
Where do these rookies rank in PFF coverage grading?
- Campbell ranks first (77.3).
- Carter ties for 10th (69.2).
- Emmanwori ranks 15th (67.5).
- Walker ranks 54th (53.8).
- Barron ranks 58th (52.9)
Run defense
Schwesinger has racked up 34 run-defensive stops, which leads all rookie defenders.
Where do these rookies rank in run-defensive stops?
- Carter ties for seventh (14).
- Campbell ties for 14th (eight).
- Emmanwori ties for 17th (nine).
- Walker ties for 34th (five).
- Barron (N/A).
Conclusion
Schwesinger is already making his mark as an integral part of this Browns defense.
What’s made him so effective is the way he soars within his area of zone coverage, only to make the vital angle to cut a runner off or defend a pass.
It’s because of all of this, that when the NFL awards show arrives in February, Schwesinger is the clear-cut candidate to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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