Just over halfway through the season, it is a perfect time to evaluate where all the players are in terms of the awards that will be given out at the end of the year. These are not awards for just half a season so these players will continue to ball out, but these are my most likely candidates to win the award should they continue what they are doing.
Offensive Rookie of the Year – C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
With Anthony Richardson getting hurt, Will Levis not starting the season and Bryce Young just simply not playing well, there really wasn’t another quarterback in the running for this award at midseason or projected for the remainder of the season. Stroud has topped 250 yards in five games and topped 200 in all but two games this season. He also had 15 touchdowns through the air and two rushing touchdowns. Stroud had led Houston to a 5-4 record and in contention for winning the AFC South.
Defensive Rookie of the Year – Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Carter was at one time the No. 1 prospect in the NFL Draft. His name was in the running for a top draft spot with the likes of Will Anderson. However, due to legal issues and disputes, his draft stock plummeted. All the way down to where the Eagles felt like they had no other option but to trade up and get him, enough was enough. They haven’t looked back since, and he will be a dominant force on this line for years to come.
Offensive Player of the Year – AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Players like Christian McCaffrey and Tyreek Hill would be obvious good fits for this award as well, but I think the difference, in my opinion, is what the Eagles offense is doing because of him. They are 8-1 and have the best record in the NFL. He has had over five receptions in all but one game and had over eight in four games. He has topped 100 yards receiving in all but three games this season and has scored six times.
Defensive Player of the Year – Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
My first instinct was to give this award to T.J. Watt. He has led the Steelers to the second-best record in the hardest division of football with a putrid offense. However, I realized that Myles Garrett is working with the same thing and has the same record. Garrett also had 11 sacks this season and has had just two games this year without a sack. It is hard to fully grasp with statistics the impact that Garrett has in disrupting what the opposing offense is doing. When you have offenses game planning around you, you have risen to elite status.
Coach of the Year – Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
This might seem obvious to some and not to others. However, just a few short years ago, the Detroit Lions were a laughing stock that no one wanted to see play. Fast forward to now, they have the second-best record in the NFC and lead the NFC North by 1.5 games. They are the No. 2 team in the league in yards per game on offense including the No. 4 team in passing and rushing. They have simply been dominating and will continue to do so under his leadership.
Comeback Player of the Year – Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills
This one is actually obvious. There is no other player who came back from cardiac arrest on the field in one of the most sobering nationally televised football games in history. The Buffalo Bills training staff worked tirelessly as did the UC Medical team to get him back to health. The Bills staff then helped him recover and ultimately to a place where he still had a roster spot on the team.
Most Valuable Player – Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is the most dominant passer and rushing quarterback since Michael Vick was in his prime. Lamar Jackson has simply won games and has his team sitting on top of the AFC North, a half-game over the rest. Jackson has 2,177 passing yards and 10 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He also had 481 yards on the ground with five additional rushing touchdowns.
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