Carson Schwesinger’s Rookie Rise: From Draft Day to All-Pro Buzz
We’re 13 weeks into the NFL season, and Carson Schwesinger isn’t just playing like a standout rookie-he’s playing like one of the best linebackers in football, period.
At just 22 years old, Schwesinger has become the heartbeat of Jim Schwartz’s defense in Cleveland. The Browns' second-round pick has wasted no time making his presence felt, flying around the field with the kind of instincts and physicality that usually take years to develop. Now, after being named the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month, Schwesinger is barreling toward a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year award-and maybe even more.
The Numbers Back It Up
Let’s start with the raw production. Through 13 weeks, Schwesinger is one of just 12 defenders in the league to have already eclipsed 100 total tackles.
That’s not just impressive for a rookie-that’s elite company across the board. And when you dig deeper, the case for postseason honors only gets stronger.
In 10 starts, he’s racked up:
- 85 tackles
- 1.5 sacks
- 2 interceptions
- 8 tackles for loss
That’s the kind of stat line that puts you in the All-Pro conversation, not just the rookie awards race. And when you add in his impact beyond the box score-like leading the team in run stuffs (39), generating 11 quarterback pressures, and consistently disrupting opposing offenses-it’s clear Schwesinger isn’t just keeping up. He’s setting the tone.
Rare Air for Rookie Defenders
Making the All-Pro team as a rookie is a rare feat, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Over the last decade, only six rookies have pulled it off.
The names are familiar: Sauce Gardner, Micah Parsons, and Shaquille Leonard-all first-teamers who’ve gone on to become cornerstones of their franchises. The only inside linebacker to do it in that stretch?
Leighton Vander Esch, who earned second-team honors in 2018 with a 140-tackle campaign.
Schwesinger’s rookie year is trending in that same direction. He’s not just piling up tackles-he’s impacting every level of the defense. Whether it’s stuffing the run, dropping into coverage, or getting after the quarterback, he’s been a three-down force in a system that’s built to let him thrive.
A Perfect Fit in Schwartz’s Scheme
Jim Schwartz’s aggressive, attack-first philosophy has long been known to elevate linebacker play, and Schwesinger’s emergence is the latest example. The rookie gave credit where it was due this week after receiving his Defensive Rookie of the Month honor.
“I love playing his defense,” Schwesinger said. “I love playing for him, just being able, as a linebacker, to attack.”
That freedom has unlocked Schwesinger’s full skill set. He’s diagnosing plays quickly, shooting gaps with confidence, and making splash plays that shift momentum. It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t just help win games-it helps define a defensive identity.
A Star in the Making Next to a Superstar
Of course, Schwesinger isn’t doing it alone. He’s sharing the field with one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league in Myles Garrett, who’s chasing history of his own. Garrett is just four sacks away from breaking the NFL’s single-season record-and he’s still got five games to go.
Together, Garrett and Schwesinger are forming the kind of one-two defensive punch that can carry a team deep into January. One is a proven superstar. The other is a rookie who’s already playing like a 10-year vet.
Looking Ahead
With five games left in the regular season, Schwesinger has a real shot to join an exclusive club of rookie All-Pros. And while the Defensive Rookie of the Year award feels like his to lose, the bigger story might be just how quickly he’s become one of the most important players on one of the league’s top defenses.
From day one, Schwesinger’s been a revelation in Cleveland. Now, he’s knocking on the door of NFL stardom-and if the first three months are any indication, that door’s about to swing wide open.