Marcus Peters wins Defensive Rookie of the Year

Marcus Peters had an incredible season in his first year for the Kansas City Chiefs, and he was recognized for it on Saturday night at the National Football League awards. Peters was named the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year, earning 44 of the 50 votes.

Peters was beyond spectacular in his inaugural campaign. The 18th-overall pick out of the University of Washington entered a secondary already with stars and immediately made a name for himself. Peters would intercept Brian Hoyer on his first professional snap and then a week later, pick off Peyton Manning on national television before running it back for a touchdown.

All told, Peters would lead the league along with Reggie Nelson of the Cincinnati Bengals with eight interceptions. In the playoffs, Peters would add a ninth theft, once again at the hands of Hoyer.

Peters came into the 2015 NFL Draft as a question mark, due to his behavior off the field in college that got him kicked off his team as a senior. In Kansas City, Peters was nothing short of a model citizen, and galvanized a secondary that became opportunistic.

This award was much-deserved. Peters had his struggles early in the year (even with his interceptions) but by the second half of the year was arguably the best corner in football. He capped everything off with a Pro Bowl berth … and another interception.

Sometimes the hype train is out of control. With Peters, it is justified.