Midseason NFL Award Predictions

My my, how things have changed since the preseason… Half way through the season and it looks like I will be wrong on plenty of things (and I am more thank O.K. with that)! Taking a look at the NFL, we can get a pretty good idea on how the awards are going to go. Some guys have come seemingly out of the blue while others have simply come back to dominate for another year (looking at you, Mr. Brady). Anyways, let’s just dive on into it and see who I am picking now at midseason to win the major NFL awards.

Offensive Rookie of the Years: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Preseason Projection: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys

I feel like this is only a moral victory, as just about everybody could have projected this. But who would’ve thought that Zeke would come out and be THIS dominant? I mean, Zeke could rush for 2,000 yards AS A ROOKIE! That is more than unheard of. The rookie rushing record is held by Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson at 1,808 and Zeke is on his way to breaking that record. Wrap your head around that for a second… That is all that needs to be said.

Runner-Up: Devontae Booker, RB, Denver Broncos

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Joey Bosa, EDGE, San Diego Chargers

Preseason Projection: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

So far, Ramsey has been up-and-down for the Jags this season. Meanwhile, when Bosa finally took the field he exploded for five tackles and two sacks against a stout Raiders’ offensive line. Bosa currently has four sacks on the year and could easily double that total by season’s end. What’s more impressive is he has those four sacks in just four games. Bosa’s has impacted the Chargers defense immensely and it’ll stay that way for the rest of the season.

Runner-Up: Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Offensive Player of the Year: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Preseason Projection: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

This is not a slight to how good Brown has played. After all, he still has 592 receiving yards through seven games and five touchdowns. But like I previously mentioned, Zeke is playing out of his mind right now. credit the offensive line. Credit the offensive play calling. But most of all, credit Zeke’s incredible ball-carrier vision. If he breaks that rookie rushing record, he should be the runaway favorite for the OPOY.

Runner-Up: Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Defensive Player of the Years: Von Miller, EDGE, Denver Broncos

Preseason Projection: Khalil Mack, EDGE, Oakland Raiders

J.J. Watt going down for the season after just three games surely helped the rest of the competitors, but Von Miller is having himself one of the best seasons of his career thus far. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has Miller as the second ranked edge defender and he certainly shows the numbers on his stat line (33 tackles and 8.5 sacks). Miller is playing out of his mind and helping to make the Broncos defense remain one of the best in the NFL. Miller should be able to crack 15+ sacks with a realistic chance to flirt with 20+ sacks. It’s been a great year for Miller and it is time to stop underrating him and give him an award that he’s earned.

Runner-Up: Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Comeback Player of the Year: Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Unfortunately, my runner-up for this award, Keenan Allen, went down with an ACL tear in week one of the regular season. Meanwhile, my projected winner, Andrew Luck, has been lighting it up this season. Luck has already tossed over 2,200 yards while completing 63.7% of his passes for 16 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions. He also has posted a passer rating of 96.2. Luck has taken his team and kept them in close games, even though their record contradicts this. The Colts would be so much worse off without him, however. This fact alone makes Andrew Luck the favorite to win the COPY, just like we thought he would preseason.

Runner-Up: DeMarco Murray, RB, Tennessee Titans

Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots

The Jaguars have been so bad this year that it wouldn’t shock me to see the team ditch Gus Bradley by the end of the season. Meanwhile, the Patriots are 7-1 with their only loss coming in week four to the Bills. The next week, Tom Brady returned from suspension and began lighting up teams (more on that next). But for the Patriots to go 3-1 without Brady is extremely impressive considering two of their opponents, the Cardinals and the Texans, were playoff teams a year ago. This is all thanks to the brilliance of Bill Belichick and his ability to adjust his entire team to the talent around him. It wouldn’t shock me and it shouldn’t shock anyone to see the Patriots win the rest of their games and even win a Super Bowl. Even just making the playoffs, Belichick should be considered the heavy favorite for this award.

Runner-Up: Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys

Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Wow. Tom Brady is having one of, if not the, best seasons of his entire career at age 39. In just four games, let me emphasize that FOUR GAMES, he has tossed 1,319 yards while competing 73.1% of his passes for 12 touchdowns to ZERO interceptions. That is simply unreal. Can you imagine what he could’ve done in those first four games? The Patriots could be undefeated right now! And there is a good chance they go 12-0 with Brady under center. Brady has taken his game t a whole new level and looks completely unstoppable. The Patriots are a heavy Super Bowl favorite because of him, and no one should be surprised to see him win his fifth Super Bowl next February.

Runner-Up: Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on Twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.