MVP: Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL
Lamar Jackson has been able to do anything and everything in the 2019 season so far. Through the air, he has been able to lead the Ravens to an astonishing 10-2 record with 2,532 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Through the ground, he has been able to make defenders fall and get tricked out left and right. Even with only 12 games so far this season, he is already closing in on 1,000 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Jackson has been able to show that all 31 teams that passed on him in the 2018 NFL Draft were wrong.
Other Candidates:
Russel Wilson, QB, SEA
Deshaun Watson QB, HOU
Christian McCaffrey, RB, CAR
Michael Thomas, WR, NO
Offensive Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, RB, CAR
McCaffrey has been able to single-handedly carry the Panthers offense with his stats as both a receiver and a runner. He has been able to put up insane stats of 1,167 yards with only 235 attempts this season so far with 12 touchdowns. He has also been the Panthers’ number two receiver (after D.J. Moore) with 644 yards and four touchdowns with 75 receptions. To many people, he has proven that he is the best Running Back in the league. Even though the Panthers fired Head Coach Ron Rivera, I still expect McCaffrey to be someone who is hard for any defense to contain.
Other Candidates:
Michael Thomas, WR, NO
Russel Wilson, QB, SEA
4. Deshaun Watson, QB, HOU
5. Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN
Defensive Player of the Year: Stephon Gilmore, CB, NE
Gilmore has proven himself this season to be one of the most talented defenders in all of the National Football League. Going up against a team’s best receiver is no easy task, and each and every week, Gilmore has been asked to do so. He has shadowed some of the game’s best receivers, whether it’s Amari Cooper, Juju Smith-Shuster, Odell Beckham Jr. or Deandre Hopkins. One thing all of those receivers have in common is that against the Pats this season, they haven’t found the end zone, and they have been held to 78 yards or less. In fact, he has only allowed one single touchdown all year. He has also been able to secure six interceptions and even return one for a touchdown. Receivers also average a mere 30.8 receiving yards per game when lined up against him. Absolutely insane.
Other Candidates:
Bobby Wagner, LB, SEA
Shaq Barrett, LB, TAM
Nick Bosa, DE, SF
Marcus Peters, CB, BAL
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Josh Jacobs, RB, OAK
The 24th pick in this year’s draft and Alabama alum has looked like a true star so far this season. His 1,061 rushing yards and his seven total touchdowns rank first among rookie running backs (with David Montgomery being the only one even close). He has also been in on 64.8 percent of his team’s snaps, which is one of the highest this season and is the highest for rookie backs this season. He has shown that he can be a very explosive player while still being a strong and patient running back as well.
Other Candidates:
Kyler Murray, QB, ARI
Deebo Samuel, WR, SF
David Montgomery, RB, CHI
Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Nick Bosa, DE, SF
The second overall pick in the NFL Draft has shown that he has a very unique skill set, much like his brother Joey, who was taken third overall in the 2017 Draft. He has been able to help lead the Niners defense to be one of the best in the NFL, and he has proven that he has a knack for getting to the Quarterback. He has been able to rack up sacks so far this year with eight. He also has seven tackles for losses and has one forced fumble along with two fumble recoveries and one interception. He has been everything that the Niners hoped for when drafting him.
Other Candidates:
Devin White, LB, TAM
Ed Oliver, DT, BUF
Devin Bush, LB, PIT
Josh Allen, LB, JAX
Comeback Player of the Year: Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR Cupp has one of the few bright spots on the Rams offense this year and has shown that he is capable of being the number one receiver for this franchise. With Brandin Cooks being injured for much of this season and Gurley not being able to put up his usual numbers, Cupp has taken the initiative of trying to save the Rams offense. He has been able to reel in 73 receptions and rack up 946 receiving yards just one season after tearing his ACL in one of the final games of the regular season. Cupp could have even been the potential difference maker in last year’s Super Bowl. Only time will tell if injuries will affect him throughout his whole career, or if he will be able to stay on the field and continue to be Jared Goff’s number one target.
Other Candidates
Earl Thomas, FS, BAL
Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN
Jimmy Garappolo, QB, SF
Leaonard Fournette, RB, JAX