2018 NFL Awards: Who Deserves the Hardware

Written by Ben Slavin

Earlier in the season, I predicted who would win each major award. With just a week to go before they are announced, most awards seem like a foregone conclusion. So, this time, I will be giving honors to those who truly deserve it. Too often in the media, players with the biggest names and on the best teams get the attention over those who actually make the biggest impacts. 

Comeback Player of the Year

Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Coming back after a nearly two year hiatus, Luck led a team that went 4-12 without him to the divisional round of the playoffs. Unflustered by a 1-5 start, Luck helped the team rattle off 9 wins in 10 games. His totals of nearly 4,600 yards and 39 touchdowns are fit for MVP consideration, not just Comeback Player of the Year. This might be one of the few cases where nice guys don’t finish last.

Other candidates:

• J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans

Before slowing down toward the end of the year, Watt seemed like one of the few players capable of challenging Aaron Donald for DPOY. Derek’s brother still finished second in the league with 16 sacks.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

Even though every week a new cheap running back is found to devalue the position even further, superstars in the backfield validate their slot in the draft. Barkley follows Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley to fall into the high draft pick-turned-superstar category. Behind a terrible offensive line, he put up historic numbers with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns. It’s going to take more than just Barkley to salvage the value of the position, though.

Other candidates:

• Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns

Barkley’s season-long production was enough to stave off a late surge from Mayfield and his team. Had logic reached Cleveland and Hue Jackson been fired before the year, the Browns would likely be a playoff team. Baker would’ve started all 16 games and his numbers would be even more impressive. Still, in just 27 halves, Mayfield put up 3,700 yards and 27 touchdowns. Some of the throws he made were unbelievable and after just one year he’s in the top ten quarterback conversation. 

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Darius Leonard edges out tough competition to take home the imaginary Franchise Quarterback Defensive Player of the Year trophy. In his first year, Leonard shockingly cemented himself as one of the best linebackers in the league. No one expected this out of him or else he wouldn’t have lasted to pick 36; maybe high draft picks Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds, but certainly not Leonard. Despite low expectations, he led the league in tackles and added seven sacks and two picks while showing veteran poise.

Other candidates:

• Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers
• Bradley Chubb, EDGE, Denver Broncos

Even though, James’ impact was slightly overstated, he still had an amazing rookie season. Whether in the box or coverage, James excelled. He couldn’t always keep up with fast or shifty receivers, but shutting down running backs and tight ends was his specialty. Another stud rookie, Chubb showed great promise as a pass rusher. His run defense isn’t up to par yet, but he profited off the attention Von Miller draws to the tune of a dozen sacks. 

Coach of the Year

Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints

This was easily the toughest choice to make. Every coach in the NFL’s final four led his team there with masterful leadership and decision-making. Picking one of the four was nearly impossible. In the end, I went with the guy who lead the Saints to a 13-3 record. Payton’s road to the playoffs was also probably the hardest. New Orleans was fresh off one of the most heartbreaking playoff losses in NFL history and lacked depth on both sides of the ball. Instead of watching his team collapse, Payton got creative and took his offensive genius to a whole new level. How many other coaches could create such an extensive and successful set of plays for Taysom Hill? How many other coaches could produce one of the best offenses in the league with only two true weapons? Unfortunately for Payton, his brilliance once again wasn’t enough for a Super Bowl as the Saints lost in heartbreaking fashion for the second straight year.

Other candidates:

• Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
• Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
• Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
• Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

As I said earlier, all the coaches who made it to Championship weekend deserve a ton of credit. Belichick always works magic, but this might have been the least-talented Patriots team in a while. McVay proved last year wasn’t a fluke by leading a team with Super Bowl expectations exactly there. Reid deserves as much respect for the Chiefs offensive explosion as anyone. The surprise name on this list is definitely McDermott. Most people wouldn’t give the coach of a non-playoff team any consideration, let alone one who only secured six victories. But, McDermott’s circumstances are different. Buffalo is possibly the most talent-devoid team in the league yet still won 6 and played tough in almost every other game. The offense was just competent enough despite having precisely no talent and the defense was among the best in the league despite also lacking stars. We’ve seen that McDermott is great at keeping teams out of the league’s cellar. Now let’s see what he can do with talent -- looking at you, Brandon Beane.

Defensive Player of the Year

Aaron Donald, DL, Los Angeles Rams

It’s rare for a player to go back-to-back with awards, but let’s be real. No one even comes close to his defensive impact on the field. Despite regularly facing double and even triple teams, Donald lives in opposing backfields. His league-leading 20.5 sacks are unheard of from an interior defensive player. He has proved his $135 million contract was worth it weekly. Outside of maybe Sean McVay, he is the number one reason the Rams are in the Super Bowl.

Other candidates:

• Absolutely nobody

Most Valuable Player

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Surprisingly, the league’s most prestigious honor was also the easiest decision. For a while, it looked like a two-horse race between Mahomes and Drew Brees, but by the time we reached the finish line, the horse from Kansas City had lapped the field. Mahomes ended with a near-historic season. His totals of 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns were less than 300 yards and 6 touchdowns from the single-season records. And despite having big-name weapons like Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins, and Kareem Hunt, Mahomes had to make more off-script plays than any quarterback in the league. Plus between injuries to Hill and Watkins and Hunt’s release from the team, he was often left with limited weapons. Mahomes’ greatness wasn’t enough to propel his team to the Super Bowl, but it’s certainly enough to make him the future face of the league.

Other candidates:

• Kermit the Frog, The Muppet Show

Let us know in the comments who you would pick for these awards.

Stay tuned for more Super Bowl content coming on Franchise Quarterback, as the anticipation builds for the Patriots versus the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.