NFL Midseason Awards

More stories from Jacob Kaiser

Quarterback+Dak+Prescott+points+to+the+sky+in+celebration+after+a+nice+play.

Quarterback Dak Prescott points to the sky in celebration after a nice play.

MVP: Matt Ryan

Everywhere you look statically, Ryan is there. Ryan is currently the NFL leader in passing yards by 255 yards, he is also tied for the lead for most touchdowns with 24, he has the second highest QB rating, he’s fourth in completion percentage and is second in yards per attempt. Ryan is having a career year and is leading the Atlanta Falcons towards an NFC South title, and if they continue to play this well then they could be a super bowl contender.

Other notables: Tom Brady and Ezekiel Elliott

Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick

I know that this seems like sort of a ‘well-duh’ pick as Belichick is a three time coach of the year recipient, but so far the Patriots have looked unbeatable, and nearly half of those games came with either Jimmy Garoppolo or Jacoby Brissett as quarterback. The fact that they are 7-2 with all the drama at quarterback, just shows why Belichick deserves to receive his fourth coach of the year award.

Other notables: Dan Quinn, Falcons and Jason Garrett, Cowboys

Offensive Player of the Year: David Johnson

This was a difficult decision so I decided to go with two winners for this award, for the first, I’m going to go with an under the radar pick, although I may be biased because Johnson is nearly single-handedly carrying my fantasy team, but he also has showed why he deserves this award. Johnson is a vertical back that can hurt teams in the running and receiving game, as he has shown with his 453 receiving yards, which leads all running backs, alongside his 760 rushing yards, which is fourth among running backs and is also tied for third in touchdowns.

Melvin Gordon:

Gordon has been an absolute beast this year. After amazingly not scoring a touchdown in his rookie season as the starting running back for San Diego. Gordon ironically is second in the  NFL among running backs in touchdowns scored, only behind New England’s Legarrette Blount, and much like Johnson, he has been a staple in the receiving game as well. Gordon and Johnson are both having fantastic sophomore seasons, and are stars in the making.

Other notables: Julio Jones and Ezekiel Elliott

Defensive Player of the Year: Von Miller

This one was the easiest, I just don’t think there is anyone who is close to playing at the same level defensively as Miller. His 9.5 sacks are the second most in the league, and we are talking about a guy who is constantly double teamed. With no J.J. Watt this year, Miller takes the cake easily.

Other notables: Aaron Donald, Rams and Khalil Mack, Raiders

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Dak Prescott

I know, I know. Ezekiel Elliott is on pace for the most rushing yards by a rookie running back in a season. At first I thought that Zeke was the obvious pick, but the more I looked at it, Dak made more sense. First of all, Zeke was the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft so this production was nearly expected, not at this exact volume this soon, but it’s not completely insane that he’s doing what he is. Dak on the other hand, was a fourth round pick and was just supposed to serve as a backup, and all of a sudden, he is a 8-1 starting quarterback of the Cowboys over a now healthy Tony Romo. I definitely wouldn’t argue with anyone that says Zeke should win this award but Prescott is the winner in my mind.

Other notables: Ezekiel Elliott and Jordan Howard

Defensive Rookie Player of the Year: Joey Bosa

Bosa was making a lot of headlines before the year because him and the Chargers couldn’t agree on a contract, but in the games that he has played, he’s been greatl. He has four sacks in his first six games, and has been great at stopping the run.

Other notables: Jalen Ramsey, Jaguars