Denver Broncos

NFL Awards: 2016 Midseason Predictions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The halfway point of the NFL season brings plenty of intrigue as to who takes home awards at the end of the year. Let’s choose who takes home the awards.

We have entered the mid-season portion of the award predictions. There are plenty of surprises so far in the NFL year with teams over-achieving or playing team ball. Also, remain the mainstays that continue to remain near or atop contention for an award.

The quarterback position is typically the choice for MVP, but unlike in year’s past this is the season without Peyton Manning. Despite missing four-games due to a suspension, Tom Brady is always up for the MVP; however, Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford and Dak Prescott are making it interesting.

Other prizes, which need more clearing of the cob webs is Coach of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. First-year coaches are the first place to look, but Bill Belichick and Jason Garrett create frustration in who should win.

Joey Bosa missed the beginning of the season, yet Jalen Ramsey is talking and backing it up with his play. Unlike Coach of the Year, there are two choices that could win the trophy, like Marcus Peters before them.

Ezekiel Elliot: Rookie of the Year/Offensive Rookie of the Year

Oct 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Fellow teammate Dak Prescott gives Ezekiel Elliot a run for his money to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY), but the production of the ex-Buckeye is gaudy. Elliot is a tremendous running back accumulating 130 yards rushing, since week three. He is not just a favorite fort the OROY, but for the overall Pepsi Rookie of the Year, as well.

Elliot is a do-it-all runner showing the NFL the talent he has as a back. He is the type of player who comes every 10 years. Adrian Peterson became the first running back to show the versatile style, but due to recent injuries it is leaving a door open for better players.

If Elliot does in fact win both awards, he needs to take the young and best offensive line in football to a fancy dinner and pay for all of them. Elliot is a great back, but the offensive line does a incredible job creating holes for the OROY and ROY favorite. It is not farfetched to think he has a chance at Offensive Player of the Year, but quarterbacks are the likely choice. Matt Ryan, Tom Brady and Prescott are the candidates for such award in Offensive Player of the Year.

Joey Bosa: Defensive Rookie of the Year

Oct 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) hits Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) after a pass in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers drafted Joey Bosa to be the disruptive force as he was in college at Ohio State. He held out of Training Camp and preseason because of injury and draft contract talks with the Chargers’ front office. Right now, it is paying off better than many anticipated. Except for last Sunday’s game, Bosa sacked a quarterback in every game he played.

After watching much of his tape early in college, I thought he had the makings to be JJ Watt 2.0. Yes, that will alarm some people since nobody is like Watt. However, the presence in both the passing game and running game cannot be understated. Bosa is already a player quarterbacks must find before snapping the football.

In both Denver Broncos matchups, Bosa created problems for Trevor Siemian and the rest of the offensive line. The Broncos offensive line is not something to talk positive about say for the two whole games and Bosa made them look silly all game. Much like his Buckeye teammate, Ezekiel Elliot, he is a player that also comes around every 10 years. It is also a sweep for the Buckeyes and the AFC West, who may win Defensive Rookie of the Year in back-to-back years.

Tom Brady: Offensive Player of the Year.

Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Offensive Player of the Year is always a tricky award, in my opinion. It is an award, which can be handed out to one player for both this award and Most Valuable Player. This year, Offensive Player of the Year will have a familiar face receive the prize, despite missing four games: Tom Brady.

As a Broncos fan, I do not ignore the greatness of Tom Brady. Brady exposes weakness better than possibly any quarterback before him. Another great thing, much like Peyton Manning, Brady makes every player around him better. However, it certainly helps playing with the best tight end in football. One of the other traits of Brady is the mental toughness to play when the back is up against a wall.

It always seems the New England Patriots play with a “no fear” attitude when accused of cheating. Whether they did or did not do it, the Patriots perform well when their backs are up against the wall or if the media counts them out. Brady is playing exactly like that. He does not have a turnover in the four games back after his suspension proving his work ethic is impeccable. By the end of the season, Brady may take home the Most Valuable Player, but right now he is the Offensive Player of the Year.

Von Miller: Defensive Player of the Year

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) attempts to rally the crowd in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Texans 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

In year’s past it was JJ Watt and no one else contending for the award. After a historic playoff performance and the mid-point of the NFL season, no player has an affect on a game like Von Miller. He is a half-sack behind Lorenzo Alexander for the lead in that category, but it is the all-around game, which continues to raise the eyebrows.

Miller has the quickest first step as a pass rusher, but his addition of the Dwight Freeney spin move makes him close to supernatural. Run defense and pass rushing is his specialty, but he can cover about as well as any linebacker. He has not recorded an interception on the year, but scouts and fans will all remember the interception of Tom Brady in the AFC Championship game.

As stated earlier, a quarterback has tendencies to make everyone around him, but so can a defensive player. Just Miller’s presence on the defense raises the level of play from everyone on the defense. Miller is the Denver Broncos franchise player and John Elway’s first ever draft pick. Safe to say, it is fitting for a player to replace Peyton Manning than Von Miller. He is no locked for the long haul after signing his eye-popping contract extension in the offseason.

Jason Garrett: Coach of the Year

Oct 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett celebrates running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) third quarter touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

It is easy to give a Coach of the Year to first-season manager, but the job Jason Garrett is doing in Dallas is next to incredible. The Cowboys drafted Dak Prescott to be their future quarterback, but that prospect is happening now due to an injury to Tony Romo.

Going into the NFL Draft this year, quarterback was a need for the Cowboys and all indications were they wanted Paxton Lynch badly. They nearly had a deal in place to acquire the ex-Memphis Tiger quarterback, but the Denver Broncos swooped in to agree to a deal and draft Lynch ahead of the Cowboys. The Cowboys were now scrambling and had to wait till the middle rounds to draft Dak Prescott.

Body-size alone, Prescott appears to compare well to Donovan McNabb, but Prescott is making better decisions with the football. This alone is praise to Jason Garrett who is molding an offense comfortable for Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot. The future is Prescott and Elliot, but with Jerry Jones still calling the shots who knows if Romo will see the field this season. In my opinion, it is in the best interest of the Cowboys to keep Prescott/Elliot train moving and not turn to Romo.

Andrew Luck: Comeback Player of the Year

Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Luck is still bonafide franchise quarterback and the face of the Colts team. It helps they are in a weak division, which makes keeps Luck in the thick of things for Comeback Player of the Year. Luck lacerated his kidney last season against the Denver Broncos and for him to play this well is impressive.

Luck’s touchdown to interception is not like Tom Brady’s, but any ratio such as 16 INTs to five interceptions is great for a team with a lack of weapons. He’s improved in every statistical category that proves the greatness of the ex-Stanford Cardinal. There are other candidates for award like Kelvin Benjamin, Jordy Nelson and DeMarco Murray who can challenge Luck.

Murray is the toughest opponent to compete with Luck for the prize, but Luck’s impressive decisions better awareness on the ground and through the air makes him better deserving. The Colts continue to place the pressure on the shoulders of Luck and his beard where he battles every game as if it was his last. Luck and the Colts are still favorites in the AFC South and his play will lead them to a postseason berth in 2016. Murray and the Tennessee Titans may have other plans, but with Luck running the Colts’ offense, Indy has a shot.

Matt Ryan: Most Valuable Player

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Quinn deserves a lot of praise to bounce back from last year’s disappointment with a 7-2 record at the mid-way point of the season. Better yet, no player has reaped the benefits best than Matt Ryan. Kyle Shannahan is playing to the strengths of the Atlanta Falcons, utilizing their skilled running backs and bootlegs for Ryan to throw it to Julio Jones.

Falcons did lose to the San Diego Chargers two weeks ago at home after a questionable call from Quinn, but that move does not take away from their success as a whole. Ryan is not a scrambler quarterback, but can make plays in the pocket to avoid pressure from the middle or the edge. Quinn is forming the Atlanta defense into a threat, but the best thing he could have done is protect Ryan.

During the offseason, the Falcon acquired Alex Mack from the Cleveland Browns. Mack is a multi-attendee to a Pro Bowl and one of the best centers in the NFL. This move alone instilled confidence to Ryan, Shannahan and the offense to perform better for a full season. Ryan has a full compliment of weapons in Devontae Freeman, Tevin Coleman and Julio Jones. All three are matchup problems for any defense to cover and Matt Ryan is the midway point MVP for his performance.