Just one week into the NFL season, it's becoming clear that several rookies in the league are set to have breakout debut seasons. Let's take a look at some of those players on the defensive side of the ball who have already begun to stand out after their debut games.
Josiah Trotter, LB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trotter comes from an NFL lineage, and it was clear he was a certified star in his NFL debut, recording seven tackles, an interception, and a sack. He also returned that interception for a touchdown, becoming the first-ever NFL player to record both a sack and a pick-six in his league debut.
Josiah Trotter is having a DEBUT FOR THE AGES
— PFF (@PFF) September 13, 2026
Pick Six
Sack
7 Tackles
Bucs look like they found one outta @MizzouFootball pic.twitter.com/jdNiX3KT9A
Jacob Rodriguez, LB - Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins suffered a two-score loss in Week
1, but Rodriguez looked like a standout in his first-ever NFL game. He posted a game-high 14 tackles, which was the third-most by any player in the NFL in Week 1 and the most by a Dolphins rookie in 30 years.
🚨 Rookie of the Week 🚨
— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) September 15, 2026
Jacob Rodriguez made an immediate impact in his NFL debut, recording a game-high 14 tackles, the third-most by any player in the NFL in Week 1 and the most by a Dolphins rookie since Zach Thomas in 1996!@MiamiDolphins | @Jacob_R_10… pic.twitter.com/ntS1nxiG25
Anthony Hill Jr., LB - Tennessee Titans
The Titans were another team that looked disappointing in a Week 1 loss, but a rookie linebacker had an incredible showing. In this case, it was Anthony Hill Jr., who managed to record a team-high 16 tackles in the loss – which leads all NFL linebackers after the first week of the season. He also tallied two pass deflections, including one to break up a pass to force a field goal.
Anthony Hill Jr. looked like a future TOP-10 ILB with his performance against the Jets.
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) September 16, 2026
Hill currently leads the NFL in total tackles (16) and is tied for 2nd in PD’s (2).
The Titans rookie LB looks like an absolute STEAL from the second round 😳💎 pic.twitter.com/wKvffiuW8B
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Defensive NFL rookies to watch in Week 2 after big debut performances
