Bye expects 8-11 sacks, rookie defensive POY for Bradley Chubb

Aug 28, 2018, 3:55 PM

Linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field as players are introduced before an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos top pick Bradley Chubb’s performance Friday against the Washington Redskins has some believing the rookie could bring home hardware at the end of the season if he keeps up the pace.

On Tuesday, “Stokley and Zach” co-host Zach Bye said, after watching Chubb in the Broncos preseason dress rehearsal, he foresees the top-five pick taking home rookie defensive player of the year in 2018.

“I’m watching him on Friday, and he is in the backfield man. He is going to register eight to 11 sacks, and he’s going to win that award,” Bye said.

Chubb earned a share of his first sack as a pro, along with fellow pass rusher Von Miller, while also registering two quarterback hits on the night.

Bye’s co-host Brandon Stokley said on Tuesday he has even loftier expectations for the rookie, saying Chubb could even go as high as having 12 to 13 sacks in his first NFL year.

“He’s starting, and if he shows he’s capable of going out there and making plays, he’s not going to be off the field,” Stokley said. “He’s going to be there a lot.”

Stokley said if Chubb keeps up his play he envisions an 80-20 split, wherein Chubb plays the large majority of snaps and rotates 20 percent of the time with Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett.

“If he shows that capability and that trust, he’s going to be an 80-20 guy. They already turned it over to him,” Stokley said. “You already know he’s the guy. So if he shows that he’s up to speed with the NFL game and he’s not thinking and he’s making plays in the run game and the pass game, he’s your best option.”

Earlier in training camp, veteran defensive tackle Domata Peko said he’s “really excited” for what Chubb and Miller can do as a pair “coming off the edge.”

“I’m really excited for what Chubb is going to do, him and Von coming off of the edge. And then having some big dudes in the inside there, it’s going to be great for our defense,” Peko said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.