The Browns 2025 rookie class was viewed as one of the best in the NFL throughout the season. At the top of the list was linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
So it was no surprise that the second-round pick out of UCLA, No. 33 overall, garnered some postseason award recognition. And it’s only just begun for Schwesinger.
Schwesinger was named the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the first Browns player to ever win the award. He was also voted to the PFWA’s All-Rookie team as well, along with defensive tackle Mason Graham.
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Despite finishing the season on the injured reserve list due to a quad injury suffered in the Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Schwesinger led all NFL rookies in multiple categories. His 146 total tackles didn’t just lead the Browns, but they were also 40 tackles more than the next-highest rookie total of 106 by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr.
Schwesinger’s 11 tackles for loss were one more than Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. He also led the NFL with a streak of six consecutive games with double-digit tackles, while he was the only linebacker with at least 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions this season.
Schwesinger was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for November. He’s also viewed as the odds-on favorite to NFl Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press, which will be handed out Feb. 5 at the NFL Honors event ahead of the Super Bowl.
Graham, the No. 5 overall pick out of the University of Michigan, was limited in the sack totals to just 0.5 sacks. However, his seven tackles for loss were second among all rookie defensive tackles, and tied for sixth among all rookies.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns’ Carson Schwesinger named PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
