Dallas Cowboys

Joey Bosa Named Defensive Rookie of the Year

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:40 p.m. ET

Fansided, Charlie Lockhart/FanSided via Scarlet and Game

Joey Bosa wins NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Nobody was surprised when the winner of the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year was announced. Even though Joey Bosa only played in 12 games this season, he obviously was the clear-cut favorite to win the award.

Bosa registered 10.5 sacks and 41 tackles in just three-quarters of a season. According to nfl.com, Bosa had 59 quarterback pressures and 15 hits on the quarterback as well.

He became only the fifth rookie in history to have two sacks in his very first game. He had a total of three multiple sack games during the season.

Bosa had the most sacks by a rookie since Aldon Smith had 14 in the 2011 season. He also was the first San Diego Chargers rookie to have a double-digit sack season since Shawn Merriman twelve years ago.

Not too bad for a guy who some so-called experts thought went too high in the draft when the Chargers chose him with the third overall pick. Those guys thought he would be a good defensive end but not great. I wonder what they think now.

Ezekiel Elliott was up for the Offensive Rookie of the Year but fell short. His Dallas Cowboy teammate Dak Prescott won the award receiving 28 of the 50 votes to Elliott’s 21.

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Prescott was drafted in the fourth round and was the seventh quarterback taken. He was to be the backup to Tony Romo before the veteran was injured in August.

Instead, Prescott started every game for the Cowboys. He completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 3,667 yards and 23 touchdowns. he also led Dallas to a 13-3 record and a first round bye in the playoffs.

Ezekiel Elliott had one of the finest seasons a rookie running back has ever had. Elliott rushed for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 32 receptions for 361 yards and another score. Elliott also became only the fifth rookie to lead the league in rushing since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970.

Congratulations to the two former Buckeyes Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott on their outstanding seasons. The future looks bright for these two young men, as well as for the Cowboys and Chargers.