With the start of the 2025 NFL regular season within sight, I'm going position by position to unveil my projections for 17 of the most notable defensive rookies this year.

A few notes before we dive in, for context:

Only five rookies have recorded 10 or more sacks since the start of the 2016 season.

The last five edge rushers to win Defensive Rookie of the Year -- including Micah Parsons , who played a hybrid off-ball linebacker/edge rusher role -- averaged 8.2 sacks as rookies.

Only five rookies have posted more than four interceptions since 2016 and none have corralled more than six.

Now, on to the forecasting. (And check back on Friday for my offensive rookie projections.)

EDGE RUSHER

Abdul Carter Penn State

New York Giants

Drafted: Round 1, No. 3 overall

Best-case scen

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