By: Nick LaPorte, 11/1/2019
It’s been just about 2.5 months since the NFL season kicked off, and anyone would admit it’s been a fascinating year for a lot of different reasons. The 49ers, picked by many to finish 3rd in the NFC West, are 7-0 and lead their conference. Drew Brees missed 6 games with a thumb injury, but the Saints have still only lost once. Lamar Jackson has become everyone’s favorite fantasy QB, and the Ravens are well on their way to a top seed in the AFC. Oh, and Patrick Mahomes, the reigning MVP, dislocated his knee, should have missed 3+ weeks, and then returned barely 10 days later. All that, and so much more, has captivated us every Sunday (and Monday, and Thursday) this season in the NFL.
It’s time to sit down and track the progress of some of the individual campaigns, and give credit to those guys like Jackson, as well as rookies Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones, and let’s not forget Nick Bosa, a generational DE in San Francisco that has transformed a mediocre defense into the best the NFC has to offer. In this post, I’ll try and give the 3 leading candidates for each of the big awards: MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive ROTY, Defensive ROTY, Coach of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year. While there are many deserving candidates, it’s my (self-proclaimed) duty to tell you who I think the best choices are. And hey, if you disagree, come on the podcast and let’s talk it out.
Without further ado, here are the 2019-2020 NFL Mid-season Awards:
Comeback Player of the Year
1. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers QB
Although the 49ers have been winning due primarily to their defense and run game, Jimmy G deserves a lot of credit for stepping up after losing last season to a torn ACL. Garoppolo was Tom Brady’s backup in New England 2 season ago, and the 49ers traded for him with the hopes that he could be what a young Brady was for that Patriots team 20 years ago: a competent starter that could be good enough to get them to the postseason. Well, the 49ers have their wish. Garoppolo finished the 2017-2018 season on a tear, winning 6/7 games as a starter and shown just enough to let the 49ers believe they got their guy. Last season was tough, but now healthy, Jimmy G is the right man for the job.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB
We’ll get more into this in the coaching section, but Rodgers deserves a lot of credit for adapting to a brand new offense this late in his career. The first few weeks saw Rodgers content to run the ball and make a few passes here and there; essentially he was a game manager. And it worked, as the Packers only lost once and Rodgers played well in that game. Now, after 2 straight weeks of superb QB play, Rodgers is back, and the NFL should be on notice. This is a future HOF QB that has a good defense for the first time in almost 10 years. They are absolutely contenders to win it all.
3. Darren Waller, Raiders TE
The public was introduced to Waller in HBO’s “Hard Knocks” in August, and Waller quickly became a fan favorite. After battling addiction issues the last few years, Waller found a new home in Oakland and opened up about his personal struggles. Finally able to curb his issues, Waller has excelled on the field. In fact, Waller may have revitalized Derek Carr’s career, as Carr has quickly come to trust the TE in big spots. Waller has 3 TDs in his last 2 games, and according to NFL.com, he’s been the 3rd best fantasy TE in football. The NFL probably won’t pick him but his comeback has been incredible.
Coach of the Year
1. Matt LaFleur, Packers
You wouldn’t know it looking at the Titans offense, which LaFleur manned last year as the OC, but he’s a legitimate coach in the NFL. While he and Aaron Rodgers took some time to come together, LaFleur has taken over a talented team and turned them into a contender. The Packers lean on their secondary defensively, and though Philadelphia was able to run all over them a few weeks ago, the Packers have just one loss. And maybe even more terrifying is that Rodgers looks like his MVP self again. LaFleur is a serious contender for this award.
2. Kyle Shanahan, 49ers
An 8-0 start will help his case, and the 49ers defense has been incredible. Shanahan is known for his offense, but it’s been the defense that has won them games week in and week out. That’s not to say their offense is bad; in fact, their rushing attack led by Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman is as good as any. Shanahan’s father Mike was known for his zone running in Denver, which helped them win a pair of Super Bowls. The Shanahans took over the Redskins in the early 2010s, and while Mike wasn’t long for the job, Kyle stuck the course. His first job as an OC in Atlanta led him to the 49ers, who trusted him to rebuild their team along with GM John Lynch. It’s working so far.
3. Sean Payton, Saints
This one was tough for me, because I think coaches like John Harbaugh (Baltimore), Jon Gruden (Oakland), and Andy Reid (Kansas City) deserve credit too. But Payton’s steady presence has allowed the Saints to hold on to a top seed in the NFC despite losing QB Drew Brees for 6 games. They lost to the Rams in September when Brees was hurt mid-game; they haven’t lost since. Payton’s Saints have done it on the ground, with Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, as well as through the air, with backup QB Teddy Bridgewater. Not to mention this might be the best Saints defense in a decade. Payton is a Super Bowl champion, something among active coaches only Harbaugh, Philly coach Doug Pederson, Oakland’s Jon Gruden (many years ago), and Patriots mastermind Bill Belichek can say.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
1. Nick Bosa, DE 49ers
It’s not a runaway, but really it is. Bosa, the 2nd overall pick, has thrived in this 49ers defense. Bosa has 7 sacks already, on pace for 14 in his first year, and has added an INT and a forced fumble. Bosa isn’t just a contender for the DROTY, he’s a candidate for the DPOY too, which I’ll talk about later. Right now, Bosa’s leading the charge, and he’s been maybe the biggest reason the 49ers have started 8-0. Their offense is good, and their defense is good. But Bosa makes their defense truly great, and he’s a special player. The Cardinals, who took QB Kyler Murray 1st overall, are happy with their pick. But Bosa is a once-in-a-decade defensive talent.
2. Josh Allen, DE Jaguars
No, not THAT Josh Allen, the QB for the Bills. The Jaguars picked the other Josh Allen this year, and the DE has been nearly as good as Bosa. Their numbers are similar, both have 7 sacks and Allen has one more forced fumble (but no INTs yet). It’s rare to see 2 DEs this talented come out of the same draft, let alone the first round. Allen and Bosa are the only real contenders for the award so… moving on.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
1. Kyler Murray, QB Cardinals
This one is difficult, because all 3 have legitimate cases to be made. In the end, I think Murray is ahead right now. As the #1 pick, he carries a lot of expectations, and he’s been pretty solid. Murray famously was drafted 10th overall by the Oakland A’s baseball team last year as well, but he chose football. Amidst concern over his height and his success in an air-raid style, Murray is showing glimpses you want to see out of a franchise QB. Murray has 11 total TDs and leads rookies in passing yards. It looks like the Cardinals have found their guy.
2. Josh Jacobs, RB Raiders
While the world was introduced to the Raiders in HBO’s Hard Knocks, Jacobs was out of the spotlight. Instead of chewing up screen time then, he’s chewing up NFL defenses now. Jacobs’ 620 yards on the ground lead all rookies by a landslide, and he’s been reliable, with 4 TDs and an average of 88 RYPG. Jacobs is exactly the kind of RB the Raiders needed, and it’s been on his back that the Raiders are contending (sort of) for a playoff spot. In all honesty, unless Murray has a great second half, Jacobs should pass him and win this award.
3. Gardner Minshew II, QB Jaguars
It’s Minshew Mania! The Jaguars signed Nick Foles in the offseason, but he suffered a clavicle injury in their season opener. Minshew has stepped in admirably, with just under 2,000 yards and a 13/2 TD/INT ratio. The Jaguars had playoff hopes with Foles, but those hopes aren’t dead just yet. Minshew has been up and down, to be fair, but he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. If he loses the job to Foles again, someone smart will trade for him. He has the pocket poise of a veteran and, unlike veterans like Mitch Trubisky, he actually goes through his progressions on offense. He may not be an automatic hall-of-famer like we wanted after week 3, but he’s certainly in the OROTY race.
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Shaquil Barrett, LB Buccaneers
10 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and an INT are what Barrett has done in just 7 games. Barrett is the odds-on favorite as of now, and he’s well deserving of that honor. The Buccaneers can’t string wins together, but don’t blame Barrett. He has sacks in 5/7 games, and 2 multi-sack weeks already. The only thing working against him is workload; after 80% or more or the snaps in the first 5 games, Barrett has played in just 77% and 58% of the defensive snaps the last 2 weeks.
2. Stephon Gilmore, CB Patriots
It’s rare to see a defensive back win the award, and it hasn’t happened since 2009 and 2010, when Charles Woodson and Troy Polamalu won in back to back years. But Gilmore deserves to be mentioned; his lockdown ability is what makes the Patriots defense so incredible. Gilmore has 3 INTs, 10 passes defended, and 26 total tackles, and he’s the CB stud that’s the mark of a great Belichick defense. If Gilmore keeps this up, we will see the Patriots in another Super Bowl, and I don’t care if you’re Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees; I wouldn’t want anything to do with this guy.
3. Nick Bosa, DE 49ers
See the earlier section on Bosa, and know that it’s no fluke. While Bosa is among a group of guys that includes Aaron Donald (Rams), Khalil Mack (Bears), and his brother Joey (Chargers), Nick Bosa is a serious threat to take this one home.
MVP
1. Russell Wilson, QB Seahawks
Right now Wilson is the best active QB in 2019. Now, when Mahomes gets back healthy that probably will change. But until then, relish in the fact that Wilson has transformed into an elite QB. When the Seahawks won a Super Bowl in 2013, it was because of their defense. But they win because of Wilson now. With 2,127 passing yards, and 17 TDs, Wilson is as good as ever. Now, he needs to carry the Seahawks ahead of the 49ers in the standings. Because if Wilson isn’t a division winner, the award goes to someone else, it’s as simple as that.
2. Patrick Mahomes, QB Chiefs
The reigning MVP, who tossed 5,000 + yards and 50 TDs last year, was on pace for another standout season until a dislocated kneecap held him out of the last 1.5 games. Mahomes may return this week, or even in the next couple weeks, and that’s all that is holding him out of the top spot. Mahomes sat week 17 last year and still won in a landslide, and if he only misses a couple games, it will net him another award. Not only that, but the 0-2 record since his injury should help his case. Mahomes rarely loses as a starter in his career; the losses without him only make him look better.
3. Christian McCaffrey, RB Panthers
I wrote more about this here, so take a look. But the gist of it is that McCaffrey has been doing things as a RB that’s no one has done in years. His scrimmage yards could be historic, and his nose for the end zone is the one reason the Panthers are even in the mix for a postseason spot. McCaffrey would probably be edged out if Patrick Mahomes didn’t miss 1.5 games, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that McCaffrey deserves recognition. It’s hard for a RB to even contend for this award, but McCaffrey has been that good.
Well, there you go, my mid-season awards for the NFL. Let me know what you think, and oh yeah, THE NATIONALS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS! THAT IS ALL!
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