We are about halfway through the 2018-19 NFL season, and it’s starting to become clear who the candidates are for NFL awards. Here are my picks for NFL awards this season:
MVP: Drew Brees
Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes have been the clear stars of the NFL for the past few weeks, but Brees is emerging as the clear pick for MVP with his stunning season. Brees, at age 39, is having a remarkable season in which he is completing 76.4 percent of his passes. He has 29 touchdown passes to go with those two interceptions. Brees has been an excellent quarterback throughout his NFL career, but he finally has a component team and defense around him. Although they are focused on the day-to-day operation, a second ring for Drew Brees has got to be on the Saints’ minds and for the first time in a while, it seems extremely within reach.
Runner up: Patrick Mahomes
Rookie of the Year: Saquon Barkley
A bright light in a otherwise dismal season for the New York Giants is Saquon Barkley, who has had 728 rushing yards with seven touchdowns and 540 receiving yards with three touchdowns in his first 10 games this season. The Giants offensive line hasn’t done anything to help Barkley either. It is left to the imagination just how prolific he could be with an offensive line and a better offense around him.
Runner up: Baker Mayfield
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald
Donald's 2018 has been nothing short of magnificent, leading the NFL with 14.5 sacks while adding 38 combined tackles and three forced fumbles. A defensive tackle leading the league in sacks is an achievement within itself, but he also leads the NFL in quarterback hits and tackles for loss—that would make him the first defensive tackle in the history of the game to do that. Donald made two plays in this game that resulted in a turnover for the Rams. Both were strip-sack fumbles that led directly to touchdowns; one of which was recovered and returned for a score. But it is the countless other plays that Donald makes in a game that impact the outcome of the game. He’s simply the best defensive player in the league and his performance last Monday night was just another example of his dominance.
Runner up: Khalil Mack
Comeback Player of the Year: Andrew Luck
After missing the entire 2017 season due to shoulder surgery in his throwing shoulder, there were a lot of murmurs wondering if he would be the same QB again. Luck has been on fire for a while now, as he has thrown for three or more touchdowns the last seven weeks of the season. Luck is on pace to break his own career high for passing touchdowns in a season. One thing that can be credited to Luck's great playing is his offensive line. The O-line has been a sore spot for Indianapolis since Luck has been drafted, but things have been coming together. The Colts O-line hasn't allowed Luck to be sacked in the last five games. If this continues, Luck will continue to shine.