Thursday, February 4, 2016

2015 NFL Year-End Awards+Hall of Fame Predictions+Other Fun NFL Year-End Garbage

The NFL will be handing out their year-end awards and announcing the 2016 Hall of Fame Class Saturday night at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco, California. In the spirit of the season, here are my personal picks for all of the major awards as well as my All-Pro teams, predictions for who will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame and other miscellaneous year-end football lists.

MVP: Cam Newton, quarterback (Panthers)
Old farts and football purists who want the NFL to go back to the days where quarterbacks were exclusively pocket passers will argue that Tom Brady or Carson Palmer deserves this award, but as far I'm concerned, Cam Newton was the best player in the NFL this season by a wide margin. Newton spent 2015 silencing any of the critics who believed that he couldn't be an elite quarterback in this league. While his unique dual-threat skill set (he rushed and passed for a combined total of 4,472 yards and 45 TD) got more attention than ever this season, it was Newton's ability to consistently make plays in key situations (ex: the two 90+ yard fourth quarter TD drives he produced in a comeback victory over the Seahawks in October) and transform an offense full of mostly average skill-position players into one of the most potent units in the NFL that made his 2015 season one for the annals. 
Honorable Mentions: Carson Palmer (Cardinals), Tom Brady (Patriots), Antonio Brown (Steelers)

Offensive Player of the Year: Antonio Brown, wide receiver (Steelers)
This was easily the hardest award for me to determine a winner for. There was a number of guys (Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, Adrian Peterson, Odell Beckham Jr.) who managed to put up eye-popping numbers under difficult circumstances and would be more than deserving recipients for this award. However in this crowded field of contenders, I have to give the edge to Steelers wideout Antonio Brown. Brown was able to overcome playing with three different quarterbacks and facing near-constant double coverage to set career highs in receptions (136) and yards (1,834) for a third straight year. There's no shortage of game-breaking receivers in the NFL right now, but Brown's flawless route running and tendency to make even the best corners look like bumbling morons (the beatdown he put on Broncos slot corner Chris Harris Jr. in Week 16 was unreal) puts him firmly at the top of the pack.
Honorable Mentions: Julio Jones (Falcons), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)

Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, defensive tackle (Rams)
In 2014, Aaron Donald put together a very impressive season and ended up winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 2015, he proved that he's one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Donald was a virtual unblockable menace in the middle of the defensive line picking up 11 sacks (tied for eight most in the league), 79 QB pressures and 51 run stops on the year. Take note football fans because I firmly believe that we just witnessed the birth of the NFL's next transcendent defensive superstar.
Honorable Mentions: Luke Kuchely (Panthers), Khalil Mack (Raiders), J.J. Watt (Texans)  

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Todd Gurley, running back (Rams)
It's been a long time since I've seen a rookie running back come in and dominate from the jump the way that  Todd Gurley did in 2015. In just 13 games, Gurley managed to finish in the top five in the league in rushing yards (1,106), touchdowns (10), runs of 20 yards or more (11) and yards per attempt among backs that had 150 carries or more (4.8). Gurley's magnificent 2015 campaign wholeheartedly proves that no matter how much teams in the modern NFL romanticize the passing game, there will be always be a place for bellcow running backs in this league. 
Honorable Mentions: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Amari Cooper (Raiders), David Johnson (Cardinals)

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ronald Darby, cornerback (Bills)
It's insane how much being on a mediocre team effects your ability to get into the spotlight. If any cornerback on a title-contending team held A.J. Green, Brandon Marshall and Odell Beckham Jr. to under 40 yards receiving in the same season, you would hear all about it, but since Ronald Darby played for a .500 team with a grossly underperforming defense, his outstanding rookie campaign went largely unnoticed. Darby's instincts, physicality and ability to instantaneously adjust to the speed of the game at the professional level  allowed him to bypass the traditionally steep learning curve for rookie corners and be one of the most consistently dominant players at his position in 2015.
Honorable Mentions: Leonard Williams (Jets), Marcus Peters (Chiefs), Adrian Amos (Bears)

Comeback Player of the Year: Eric Berry, safety (Chiefs)
This pick was a no-brainer. Less than a year after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, Berry returned to the field and put together the most impressive season (61 tackles, 10 passes defensed, 2 INT's) of his storied six-year career. Berry's warrior mentality and determination to return to the field stronger than ever after beating cancer embodies everything the comeback player of the year award is supposed to represent.    
Honorable Mentions: Carson Palmer (Cardinals), Derrick Johnson (Chiefs), Doug Martin (Buccaneers)

Coach of the Year: Mike Zimmer (Vikings)
There's at least a half dozen coaches in the league that helped their team advance to the next level in 2015, but no one brought more positive change to their team than the Vikings' Mike Zimmer. Despite the frustrating inconsistency of their offense and dealing with a slew of key injuries on both sides of the ball, Zimmer was able to lead the Vikings to their first division title since 2009. Zimmer has turned a Vikings squad whose success was solely dictated by the play of Adrian Peterson under previous coach Leslie Frazier into a well-rounded, deep team with the toughness and tenacity to compete with just about any team in the league. If 2015 is any indicator, Zimmer will perennially have the Vikings at the top of the NFL hierarchy for years to come.
Honorable Mentions: Todd Bowles (Jets), Andy Reid (Chiefs), Jay Gruden (Redskins) 

Predictions for the 2016 NFL Hall of Class (*indicates a lock)
Terrell Davis, running back
Alan Fancea, guard
Brett Favre, quarterback*
Kevin Greene, outside linebacker/defensive end
Marvin Harrison, wide receiver
John Lynch, safety
Orlando Pace, tackle*
Ken Stabler, quarterback*

2015 All-Pro Teams:
Quarterback
1st team: Cam Newton (Panthers)
2nd team: Carson Palmer (Cardinals)

Running Back
1st team: Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Doug Martin (Buccaneers)
2nd team: Devonta Freeman (Falcons), Todd Gurley (Rams)

Fullback
1st team: Patrick DiMarco (Falcons)
2nd team: Mike Tolbert (Panthers)

Wide Receiver 
1st team: Julio Jones (Falcons), Antonio Brown (Steelers)
2nd team: DeAndre Hopkins (Texans), Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants)

Tight End
1st team: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
2nd team: Delanie Walker (Titans)

Tackle
1st team: Joe Thomas (Browns), Tyron Smith (Cowboys)
2nd team: Trent Williams (Redskins), Terron Armstead (Saints)

Guard
1st team: Marshal Yanda (Ravens), Richie Incognito (Bills)
2nd team: Zach Martin (Cowboys), David DeCastro (Steelers)

Center
1st team: Ryan Kalil (Panthers)
2nd team: Weston Richburg (Giants)

Defensive End
1st team: J.J. Watt (Texans), Cameron Jordan (Saints)
2nd team: Michael Bennett (Seahawks), Fletcher Cox (Eagles)

Defensive Tackle
1st team: Aaron Donald (Rams), Kawann Short (Panthers)
2nd team: Linval Joseph (Vikings), Geno Atkins (Bengals)

Inside Linebacker
1st team: Luke Kuechly (Panthers), Derrick Johnson (Chiefs)
2nd team: Brandon Marshall (Broncos), NaVorro Bowman (49ers)

Outside Linebacker
1st team: Khalil Mack (Raiders), Von Miller (Broncos)
2nd team: Justin Houston (Chiefs), K.J. Wright (Seahawks)

Cornerback
1st team: Josh Norman (Panthers), Patrick Peterson (Cardinals)
2nd team: Darius Slay (Lions), Chris Harris Jr. (Broncos)

Safety
1st team: Eric Berry (Chiefs), Tyrann Mathieu (Cardinals) 
2nd team: Harrison Smith (Vikings), Malcolm Jenkins (Eagles)

Kicker
1st team: Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots)
2nd team: Dan Bailey (Cowboys)

Punter
1st team: Pat McAfee (Colts)
2nd team: Sam Koch (Ravens)

Return Specialists:
1st team: Cordarelle Patterson (Vikings)
2nd team: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)

Top 10 Best Players by Position:
Quarterback
10.Derek Carr (Raiders)
9.Eli Manning (Giants)
8.Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
7.Drew Brees (Saints)
6.Andy Dalton (Bengals)
5.Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
4.Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
3.Tom Brady (Patriots)
2.Carson Palmer (Cardinals)
1.Cam Newton (Panthers)

Running Back
10.David Johnson (Cardinals)
9.Mark Ingram (Saints)
8.Le'Veon Bell (Steelers) 
7.LeSean McCoy (Bills)
6.DeAngelo Williams (Steelers)
5.Jonathan Stewart (Panthers)
4.Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
3.Todd Gurley (Rams)
2.Doug Martin (Buccaneers)
1.Adrian Peterson (Vikings) 

Wide Receiver
10.Steve Smith Sr. (Ravens)
9.Doug Baldwin (Seahawks)
8.Alshon Jeffrey (Bears)
7.Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)
6.Brandon Marshall (Jets)
5.Allen Robinson (Jaguars)
4.Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants)
3.DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)
2.Antonio Brown (Steelers)
1.Julio Jones (Falcons) 
    
Tight End
10.Antonio Gates (Chargers)
9.Zach Ertz (Eagles)
8.Jimmy Graham (Seahawks)
7.Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
6.Gary Barnidge (Browns)
5.Greg Olsen (Panthers)
4.Tyler Eifert (Bengals)
3.Jordan Reed (Redskins)
2.Delanie Walker (Titans)
1.Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)


Tackle
10.Donald Penn (Raiders)
9.Jared Veldheer (Cardinals)
8.Joe Staley (49ers)
7.Jason Peters (Eagles)
6.Cordy Glenn (Bills)
5.Andrew Whitworth (Bengals)
4.Terron Armstead (Saints)
3.Trent Williams (Redskins)
2.Tyron Smith (Cowboys)
1.Joe Thomas (Browns)

Guard
10.Jack Mewhort (Colts)
9.Gabe Jackson (Raiders)
8.Josh Sitton (Packers)
7.Mike Iupati (Cardinals)
6.Trai Turner (Panthers)
5.Kevin Zeitler (Bengals)
4.David DeCastro (Steelers)
3.Zach Martin (Cowboys)
2.Richie Incognito (Bills)
1.Marshal Yanda (Ravens)

Center
10.Alex Mack (Browns)
9.Rodney Hudson (Raiders)
8.Stefen Wisnewski (Jaguars)
7.Mike Pouncey (Dolphins)
6.Max Unger (Saints)
5.Eric Wood (Bills)
4.Joe Berger (Vikings)
3.Travis Fredrick (Cowboys)
2.Weston Richburg (Giants)
1.Ryan Kalil (Panthers) 

Defensive End
10.Chandler Jones (Patriots)
9.Derek Wolfe (Broncos)
8.Cliff Avril (Seahawks)
7.Ezekiel Ansah (Lions)
6.Oliver Vernon (Dolphins)
5.Muhammad Wilkerson (Jets)
4.Fletcher Cox (Eagles)
3.Michael Bennett (Seahawks)
2.Cameron Jordan (Saints)
1.J.J. Watt (Texans) 

Defensive Tackle
10.Dan Williams (Raiders)
9.Jurell Casey (Titans)
8.Brandon Williams (Ravens)
7.Damon Harrison (Jets)
6.Mike Daniels (Packers)
5.Ndamukong Suh (Dolphins)
4.Linval Joseph (Vikings)
3.Geno Atkins (Bengals)
2.Kawann Short (Panthers)
1.Aaron Donald (Rams)

Outside Linebacker
10.Thomas Davis (Panthers)
9.Dont'a Hightower (Patriots)
8.DeMarcus Ware (Broncos)
7.Anthony Barr (Vikings)
6.Pernell McPhee (Bears)
5.Tamba Hali (Chiefs)
4.K.J. Wright (Seahawks)
3.Justin Houston (Chiefs)
2.Von Miller (Broncos)
1.Khalil Mack (Raiders)

Inside Linebacker
10.Jordan Hicks (Eagles)
9.Daryl Smith (Ravens)
8.Bobby Wagner (Seahawks)
7.Danny Trevathan (Broncos)
6.Sean Lee (Cowboys)
5.Jerrell Freeman (Colts)
4.NaVorro Bowman (49ers)
3.Brandon Marshall (Broncos)
2.Derrick Johnson (Chiefs)
1.Luke Kuechly (Panthers)


Cornerback
10.Stephon Gilmore (Bills)
9.Jason Verrett (Chargers)
8.Richard Sherman (Seahawks)
7.Adam Jones (Bengals)
6.Jonathan Joseph (Texans)
5.Ronald Darby (Bills)
4.Chris Harris Jr. (Broncos)
3.Darius Slay (Lions)
2.Patrick Peterson (Cardinals)
1.Josh Norman (Panthers)

Safety
10.Kurt Coleman (Panthers)
9.Darian Stewart (Broncos)
8.Devin McCourty (Patriots)
7.Morgan Burnett (Packers)
6.Reshad Jones (Dolphins)
5.Earl Thomas (Seahawks)
4.Malcolm Jenkins (Eagles)
3.Harrison Smith (Vikings)
2.Tyrann Matheiu (Cardinals)
1.Eric Berry (Chiefs)


Kicker
10.Blair Walsh (Vikings)
9.Steven Hasuchka (Seahawks)
8.Josh Brown (Giants)
7.Graham Gano (Panthers)
6.Chris Boswell (Steelers)
5.Brandon McManus (Broncos)
4.Cairo Santos (Chiefs)
3.Justin Tucker (Ravens)
2.Dan Bailey (Cowboys)
1.Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots) 

Punter
10.Marquette King (Raiders)
9.Sam Martin (Lions)
8.Donnie Jones (Eagles)
7.Brett Kern (Titans)
6.Chris Jones (Cowboys)
5.Matt Bosher (Falcons)
4.Dustin Colquitt (Chiefs)
3.Johnny Hekker (Rams)
2.Sam Koch (Ravens)
1.Pat McAfee (Colts)


Miscellaneous Awards
Top 10 Rookies
10.Jordan Hicks, inside linebacker (Eagles) 
9.Marcus Peters, cornerback (Chiefs)
8.Adrian Amos, safety (Bears)
7.Tyler Lockett, wide receiver (Seahawks)
6.David Johnson, running back (Cardinals)

5.Amari Cooper, wide receiver (Raiders)
4.Leonard Williams, defensive end (Jets)
3.Jameis Winston, quarterback (Buccaneers)
2.Ronald Darby, cornerback (Bills)
1.Todd Gurley, running back (Rams)

Top 10 Rookie Disappointments
10.Jalen Collins, cornerback (Falcons)
9.John Miller, guard (Bills) 
8.Dorial Green-Beckham, wide receiver (Titans)
7.Landon Collins, safety (Giants)
6.Cameron Erving, guard (Browns)
5.Ereck Flowers, tackle (Giants) 
4.Devin Funchess, wide receiver (Panthers)
3.Ameer Abdullah, running back (Lions)
2.Nelson Agholor, wide receiver (Eagles)
1.Melvin Gordon, running back (Chargers)

Top 10 Breakout Players
10.Delvin Breaux, cornerback (Saints)
9.Tyrod Taylor, quarterback (Bills)
8.Weston Richburg, center (Giants)
7.Jason Verrett, cornerback (Chargers)
6.Gary Barnidge, tight end (Browns)
5.Anthony Barr, outside linebacker (Vikings)
4.Tyler Eifert, tight end (Bengals)
3.Devonta Freeman, running back (Falcons)
2.Derek Carr, quarterback (Raiders)
1.Allen Robinson, wide receiver (Jaguars)

Top 10 Underperforming Players

10.Randall Cobb, wide receiver (Packers)
9.Ryan Tannehill, quarterback (Dolphins)
8.Andre Johnson, wide receiver (Colts)
7.Antonio Cromartie, cornerback (Jets)
6.Jimmy Smith, cornerback (Ravens)
5.Nick Foles, quarterback (Rams)
4.Byron Maxwell, cornerback (Eagles)
3.DeMarco Murray, running back (Eagles)
2.Jeremy Hill, running back (Bengals)
1.Eddie Lacy, running back (Packers)

5 Biggest Surprise Teams:
1.Redskins
2.Chiefs
3.Jets
4.Raiders 
5.Texans

5 Biggest Underachieving Teams:
1.Colts
2.Dolphins
3.Bills
4.Eagles
5.Rams

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