Midseason is upon us! Through nine weeks of extremely interesting and high quality(mostly) football, things are starting to clear up a bit regarding which teams are good, and which ones definitely need some improvement to try and compete. Much like what we did before the season, today, we will be looking at some of the major NFL awards, and naming our pick, some other contenders for each of them.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Through nine weeks of football, the clear favorite for this award is Raiders rookie Josh Jacobs. The Alabama running back has already run for nearly 750 yards, and is on pace for 1,480 yards and 12 scores this season, which would put him ahead of legends like Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson in the rookie season yards ran for race. Jacobs has been a workhorse for the Raiders, and has been a big reason as to why they have played well despite not having another star on their team.
Another player that could give Jacobs a run for his money is Redskins receiver Terry McLaurin, who already has 490 yards receiving despite missing a couple games to injury. Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew also was playing quite well, but it has been reported that he will be benched following the return of Nick Foles.
Preseason pick: David Montgomery.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
While at the start of the season, this award was expected to be a close race, at midseason, it is clear that 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is the clear-cut winner of defensive rookie of the year. In August, I wrote that Bosa will need to have at least double digit sacks to be considered. At midseason, he is already at seven sacks, and has an interception and twenty one tackles to go along with it. He has also forced a fumble, and has eleven tackles for loss, good for second in the league. He is the defensive anchor on the undefeated 49ers, and has been absolutely destroying opposing quarterbacks.
Another contender for this is Jaguars end Josh Allen. He also has accumulated seven sacks on the season, and if he approaches sixteen or so he could challenge Bosa.
Preseason pick: Devin Bush
Offensive Player of the Year
The "could not win MVP because they aren't a quarterback" award goes to Panthers running back Christian McCaffery, who has played so well that he deserves to be in MVP conversation. CMC has been unstoppable this year, already running for 881 yards and catching an additional 363. He has scored 13 touchdowns already, and has taken the word carry to a whole other level.
He faces opponents that know he will get the ball on almost every play, and produces anyways. The definition of a dual-threat back, McCaffery is on pace to catch more passes than receivers like Odell Beckham Jr, Sammy Watkins, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. CMC has been perfect for the Panthers, and is the reason why they are still in the running for a wild card spot. With some excellent play down the stretch, the MVP winner or runner-up might steal this award from McCaffery.
Preseason pick: Saquon Barkley
Defensive Player of the Year
This award has many competitors that all can make a serious claim to the DPOY throne. I believe that Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore will pull away with it. Gilmore has established himself as the best cornerback in the game since his arrival in New England. Week in and week out, Gilmore has put the best receiver on the opposing team on an island. Out of 49 times targeted, he has only allowed 18 completions. He has not allowed a touchdown yet, has three interceptions, and overall, quarterbacks have a passer rating of 29.2 when targeting him. While a cornerback has only won the award twice, I fully believe that Gilmore is capable of making that number three.
Other serious competitors will be the aforementioned Bosa(see: DROY) and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. JJ Watt also might have earned some consideration, but he is done for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Preseason pick: Khalil Mack
Comeback Player of the Year
After tearing his ACL almost exactly one year ago, Cooper Kupp has returned years better than before. He is the true first option in a loaded Rams option, and has been on a tear this season. He is currently third in the league in receiving yards with 792, and has also caught five touchdowns. Kupp is easily the best choice for this award.
However, Cowboys center Travis Fredrick has also played well following his return after suffering from the rare Guillain-Barre syndrome. Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette has also performed well, and might contend for the award too.
Preseason pick: Travis Fredrick
Coach of the Year
The commander behind the ship that is the 8-0 49ers, Kyle Shanahan is the winner of this award. He has worked magic with Jimmy Garropolo en route to the 49ers' undefeated record, and is a true offensive mastermind. Even his defense is playing at an insane level and might be the best unit in the league.
His trade deadline deal for Emmanuel Sanders was genius, and is paying off already. Saints coach Sean Payton and Colts coach Frank Reich also warrant compliments in their efforts of maintaining a good team despite both of their starting quarterbacks getting injured/retiring out of nowhere with no warning in advance.
Preseason Pick: Freddie Kitchens
Most Valuable Player
This award race, the most important of them all, might be the most tightly contested at the halfway mark of the year. Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, and Lamar Jackson have all played at an MVP level, and all deserve this award. Wilson has an absurd 22:1 touchdown to interception ratio while commanding the Seahawks to a 7-2 record. Watson has made some truly magical plays through the season, and is on pace to throw for over 4,800 yards. Jackson might have the first 1,000 yard rushing season since Michael Vick did so thirteen years ago. All things considered, I truly believe that Wilson is the most deserving amongst the three.
He has played the best, and true to the name of the award, is most important to his team. Watson, Jackson, and maybe even Patrick Mahomes all have chances to usurp Wilson, but as it stands now, he is the winner.
Preseason Pick: Philip Rivers
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