MVP: Patrick Mahomes, quarterback (Chiefs)
No individual in the NFL commanded more attention or made more highlight-reel worthy plays than Mahomes in 2018. His infinite confidence, poise in big situations and knack for making throws that look like they're straight out of a video game added more dynamism to an already explosive Chiefs offense while also helping him become the 3rd player in NFL history to throw for 50 TD's in a season (some guys named Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the other 2 individuals that have pulled off this superhuman feat). The most unbelievable part of all this success? 2018 was his first year as a starter. Pretty damn impressive for a kid who was largely considered to be a huge gamble when he was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Donald, defensive tackle (Rams), Drew Brees, quarterback (Saints), Andrew Luck, quarterback (Colts)
Offensive Player of the Year: DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver (Texans)
In a passing-dominated league with no shortage of elite talent at the receiver position, Hopkins further solidified his case for being the best of the absurdly stacked bunch this season. The 26-year old managed 115 receptions, 1,572 YDS, 11 TD's and 0 drops on 163 targets in a year where the Texans offense was once again held back by injuries and horrid line play.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Thomas, wide receiver (Saints), Tyreek Hill, wide receiver (Chiefs), Christian McCaffery, running back (Panthers)
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, defensive tackle (Rams)
BREAKING NEWS: Donald is still the most unstoppable defensive player in the league He spent yet another 16 game slate routinely blowing through double teams and wreaking havoc at the line of scrimmage (25 TFL's, 4 forced fumbles, 41 QB hits, a career-high 20.5 sacks) while his cohorts struggled to consistently make plays around him. What a force.
Honorable Mentions: Bobby Wagner, inside linebacker (Seahawks), Khalil Mack, outside linebacker (Bears), Fletcher Cox, defensive tackle (Eagles)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Saquon Barkley, running back (Giants)
Pat Shurmer's arrival in East Rutherford didn't bring an end to the locker room turmoil and ugly on-field product that resulted in Ben McAdoo's firing prior to the end of the 2017 season. Just about the only positive thing to emerge from the Giants latest frustrating campaign was the play of Barkley. The Penn State product showed off the burst, strength and polished dual-threat skill set that helped make him the #2 overall pick during an impressive rookie year (2,028 scrimmage YDS, 15 TD's, 0 fumbles, 6.5 YDS per touch) where he had a larger-than-expected role thanks to the poor play of a rapidly aging Eli Manning.
Honorable Mentions: Baker Mayfield, quarterback (Browns), Quenton Nelson, guard (Colts), Calvin Ridley, wide receiver (Falcons)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Derwin James, safety (Chargers)
Tackling machines Darius Leonard and Leighton Vander Esch may have the more eye-popping numbers, but James' versatility made him the most impressive rookie defender in this class. James showed off the type of well-rounded game that's becoming increasingly rare for a defensive back to possess by taking snaps at every non-defensive line position and filling the stat sheet on a weekly basis (105 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 INT, 13 passes defensed in 16 games).
Honorable Mentions: Darius Leonard, outside linebacker (Colts), Leighton Vander Esch, outside linebacker (Cowboys), Denzel Ward, cornerback (Browns)
Comeback Player of the Year: Andrew Luck, quarterback (Colts)
To say Luck's future was murky before 2018 would be putting it very lightly. There was doubts about whether or not he could still throw the ball downfield, let alone return to the high level of play he displayed prior to suffering the shoulder injury that kept him on the shelf for all of 2017. Well Luck proved that shoulder that required multiple surgeries over the course of a year to fix wasn't going to lead to his gridiron demise. He was as sharp as ever in 2018-hurling 39 TD's, completing a career-high 67.5% of his passes and helping lead a resilient Colts team to their first playoff berth since 2014.
Honorable Mentions: J.J Watt, defensive end (Texans), Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver (Giants), Chris Carson, running back (Seahawks)
Coach of the Year: Matt Nagy (Bears)
I had a hard time not giving this to Frank Reich after he led the Colts to the playoffs following an ugly 1-5 start. However, Nagy's role in leading a Bears squad that had finished last in the NFC North and lost 10+ games in each of the 4 years prior to his arrival to a division title in his inaugural season as a head coach was just too much to overcome. Despite having their season end on a tragic note, Nagy's innovative offensive playcalling paired with the immense respect he immediately earned from his players restored a sense of pride to an organization that had been a disheartening, lifeless mess since Lovie Smith got axed.
Honorable Mentions: Frank Reich (Colts), Andy Reid (Chiefs), Anthony Lynn (Chargers)
All-Pro Teams:
Quarterback:
1st team: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
2nd team: Drew Brees (Saints)
Running Back:
1st team: Christian McCaffery (Panthers), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
2nd team: Todd Gurley (Rams), Saquon Barkley (Giants)
Wide Receiver:
1st team: DeAndre Hopkins (Texans), Michael Thomas (Saints)
2nd team: Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Julio Jones (Falcons)
Tight End:
1st team: George Kittle (49ers)
2nd team: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
Tackle:
1st team: David Bakithari (Packers), Mitchell Schwartz (Chiefs)
2nd team: Andrew Whitworth (Rams), Ryan Ramcyzk (Saints)
Guard:
1st team: Quenton Nelson (Colts), Shaq Mason (Patriots)
2nd team: Zach Martin (Cowboys), Joel Bitonio (Browns)
Center:
1st team: Jason Kelce (Eagles)
2nd team: Rodney Hudson (Raiders)
Defensive End:
1st team: J.J. Watt (Texans), Cameron Jordan (Saints)
2nd team: Myles Garrett (Browns), Trey Flowers (Patriots)
Defensive Tackle:
1st team: Aaron Donald (Rams), Fletcher Cox (Eagles)
2nd team: Chris Jones (Chiefs), Akiem Hicks (Bears)
Outside Linebacker:
1st team: Khalil Mack (Bears), Von Miller (Broncos)
2nd team: Darius Leonard (Colts), Leighton Vander Esch (Cowboys)
Inside Linebacker:
1st team: Bobby Wagner (Seahawks), Luke Kuechly (Panthers)
2nd team: Zach Brown (Redskins), C.J. Mosley (Ravens)
Cornerback:
1st team: Stephon Gilmore (Patriots), Kyle Fuller (Bears)
2nd team: Desmond King (Chargers), Byron Jones (Cowboys)
Safety:
1st team: Eddie Jackson (Bears), Jamal Adams (Jets)
2nd team: Derwin James (Chargers), Kevin Byard (Titans)
Kicker:
1st team: Aldrick Rosas (Giants)
2nd team: Will Lutz (Saints)
Punter:
1st team: Michael Dickson (Seahawks)
2nd team: Johnny Hekker (Rams)
Return Specialist:
1st team: Andre Roberts (Jets), Tarik Cohen (Bears)
2nd team: Cordarelle Patterson (Patriots), Desmond King (Chargers)
Special Teamer:
1st team: Adrian Phillips (Chargers)
2nd team: Corey Littleton (Rams)
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Pro Football Hall Fame Class of 2019 predictions:
Steve Atwater, safety (Teams: Denver Broncos/New York Jets)
Tony Boselli, tackle (Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars/Houston Texans)
Pat Bowlen, Denver Broncos owner
Alan Faneca, guard (Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers/New York Jets/Arizona Cardinals)
Tony Gonzalez, tight end (Teams: Kansas City Chiefs/Atlanta Falcons))
Ed Reed, safety (Teams: Baltimore Ravens/Houston Texans/New York Jets)
Johnny Robinson, safety (Teams: Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs)
Who I'd Vote for If I Had a Ballot:
Alan Faneca
Steve Hutchinson, guard (Teams: Minnesota Vikings/Seattle Seahawks)
Tony Gonzalez
Kevin Mawae, center (Teams: Seattle Seahawks/New Yok Jets/Tennessee Titans)
Ed Reed
Richard Seymour, defensive end/tackle (Teams: New England Patriots/Oakland Raiders)
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