It’s around the time of year where NFL fans and pundits start looking closely at major award races. Which players have been consistently great all year? Who is coming on extra strong, of late?
Without wasting too much of your time here with an intro, I’m happy to run right into my top five candidates for the major NFL awards. Let’s go!
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Most Valuable Player
Frascella’s Pick: Tyreek Hill
Runner-up: Christian McCaffrey
Next up: Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts
The rationale: I don’t care that the MVP always ends up being a quarterback. I’ve been pushing the non-QB narrative all season long on X (formerly Twitter) @LegendSports7 because the quarterback candidates are all too close. Prescott, Purdy, Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Lamar Jackson and CJ Stroud all have reasonable-enough arguments for MVP, thus none of them are standouts.
However, at wide receiver, Tyreek Hill IS a standout. He’s been dominating start-to-finish this season, and he’s been the clear MVP for me, basically the whole time.
McCaffrey is dominating the running back position, but Raheem Mostert actually has more rushing touchdowns than he does. Hill, on the other hand, is untouchable all the way across the board. If Tyreek doesn’t get it, the whole system is broken. The Dolphins have been great, and he’s the engine that makes them go.
Defensive Player of the Year
Frascella’s Pick: Myles Garrett
Runner-up: TJ Watt
Next up: Danielle Hunter, DaRon Bland and Maxx Crosby
The rationale: It’s nip-and-tuck between Garrett and Watt. Both are true MVPs: The Browns and Steelers’ offenses have both been terrible, so Garrett and Watt do everything they possibly can to carry their respective defensive units. And they do. You can’t go wrong either way here, but I’m going Garrett because he may actually be the best individual football player on the planet.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Frascella’s Pick: CJ Stroud
Runner-up: Puka Nacua
Next up: Sam LaPorta, Bijan Robinson and Zay Flowers
The rationale: Stroud is obviously the runaway winner here, so let’s talk about the other candidates: Nacua has been a revelation for the Rams, rivaling the production of star teammate Cooper Kupp. LaPorta may actually have the second-best case, as tight end has been a dead position around the league this year. LaPorta has been productive from the very beginning, and the Lions are having a superb season. Arthur Smith holds Bijan back some, while Flowers is in for a strong finish with Mark Andrews on the shelf for the Ravens.
Coach of the Year
Frascella’s Pick: Mike McDaniel
Runner-up: Kyle Shanahan
Next up: DeMeco Ryans, Dan Campbell and Mike McCarthy
The rationale: Schematically, McDaniel and Shanahan seem to be lightyears ahead of everyone right now. Everything clicks in their respective offenses: Everybody knows their assignments, the ball gets out quickly, and playmakers make plays in space. There’s motion, play action, misdirection, the whole nine. Other teams look stuck in the past, comparatively.
Ryans is the upstart and feel-good story, but the Texans haven’t officially cracked a playoff berth yet. If they do, I will certainly consider him for the very top spot.
Shoot me your picks @LegendSports7 on X!
John Frascella is a published sports author who has been covering the NFL for 20 years. Follow him on X @LegendSports7 for all things NFL, NBA and MLB throughout the year.
