Browns' Schwesinger Named AP Defensive Rookie of Year

Carson Schwesinger, a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns and former UCLA standout, was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday night at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco. The second-round pick from the 2025 draft received 40 of 50 first-place votes, edging out finalists including Seattle Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori with seven first-place votes, Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. with two, Falcons safety Xavier Watts with one, and New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter.

Schwesinger's rookie season marked a rapid rise for the 23-year-old, who led all NFL newcomers with 156 tackles, including 67 solo stops, along with 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, 11 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits and three passes defensed. He started all 16 games as the defensive signal caller, wearing the green dot on his helmet to relay plays. His performance included double-digit tackles in seven games, highlighted by a streak of six consecutive contests, the longest in the league that year. Despite the Browns finishing 5-12, Schwesinger anchored a unit ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed, contributing to Cleveland's defensive...