Rams’ Kobie Turner Named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Finalist

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner is a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Los Angeles Rams nose tackle Kobie Turner is one of the five finalists for The Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, it was revealed Thursday morning. 

Turner is joined by Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devin Witherspoon. 

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The winner of the award is set to be announced at the annual NFL Honors show, which will take place on Feb. 8. 

For what it's worth, both Carter (-250) and Anderson (+300) have shorter odds to win the award than Turner (+450). 

Pro Football Talk does its own awards balloting each year, and its staff selected Turner as the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award winner. Ultimately, the AP awards are the only ones anyone remembers, but whether Turner wins that one or not, it's clear that there's a national appreciation for how impressive the 24-year-old was in his first NFL season. 

Even Without First-Round Pick, Rams Have Elite 2023 NFL Draft Class

A third-round pick out of Wake Forest, Turner recorded 57 combined tackles, 16 quarterback hits, nine sacks and eight tackles for a loss during his excellent rookie season. 

Turner is part of what appears to be a franchise-altering rookie class, despite general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay not having a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Receiver Puka Nacua is one of five finalists for Offensive Rookie of the Year after catching 105 passes for 1,486 yards in 2023. Outside linebacker Byron Young, also a third-round pick, had 61 combined tackles, 19 quarterback hits, eight sacks and eight tackles for a loss in a tremendous rookie season himself.