MVP: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
Much has been made about how Mahomes was able to thrive in 2022 without Tyreek Hill and rightfully so given that Hill is an elite, singular talent that was a cornerstone of the Chiefs offense. But what's equally impressive is that he spearheaded the most lethal passing attack in the league and put up a new career high in passing YDS (5,250) with a group that only consisted of 5 players that he'd completed a pass to prior (Travis Kelce, Jerick McKinnon, Noah Gray, Mecole Hardman, Clyde Edwards-Helaire-the latter two of which were sidelined for the final 10+ games). Getting on the same page with a largely new group of pass-catchers (JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson-who ranked 2nd, 3rd and 5th respectively on the team in receiving YDS) that quickly while maintaining an elite level of play is just the latest sign that Mahomes remains on track to be one of the greatest players the NFL has ever seen.
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Josh Allen (Bills), Joe Burrow (Bengals)
Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Jefferson (Vikings)
The most exciting thing about Kevin O'Connell being hired as the Vikings HC last Feburary was imagining all the ways he could utilize Jefferson in a WR-friendly scheme that was responsible for Cooper Kupp's ascent into the top-tier of the league's receivers following his absurd 2021 campaign in which he finished less than 20 yards shy of breaking Calvin Johnson's single-season receiving yards record. While Jefferson didn't quite match Kupp's lofty 2021 output, O'Connell's ability to scheme him open by deploying him all over the field did allow the superstar 3rd-year pro to set new career bests in receptions (128) and receiving YDS (1,809)-both league highs-and added yet another accolade to his rapidly growing resume by breaking Randy Moss' record for the most receiving YDS by a player in their 1st 3 years in the league. Not too shabby for a kid who got drafted right behind Jalen Reagor in 2020.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Josh Jacobs (Raiders), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins)
Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Jones (Chiefs)
Nick Bosa came mighty close to getting the nod here as he set a new career-high in sacks (18.5) and logged an impressive 19 TFL's in the running game, but as tremendous as he was all season long, he also had an incredible group of running mates on the top defense in the league that granted him the freedom to chase after quarterbacks more than he typically does. Jones managed to be at least just as disruptive as Bosa with significantly less talent surrounding him upfront. The 4x All-Pro matched his career-high in sacks with 15.5, notched 17 TFL's and led the league in QB pressures with a whopping 77.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Bosa (49ers), Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Myles Garrett (Browns)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Garrett Wilson (Jets)
A full slate of 17 games played allowed Wilson to pull past his Ohio State running mate Chris Olave in the final month of the season. Wilson weathered one hell of a storm in the form of the Jets comical QB carousel as a rookie (Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco and Chris Streveler all started at least 1 game this year) yet amidst all of that turmoil, the kid looked like a future #1 wideout every time he was fortunate enough to get the ball thrown his way. His route-running was exceptional, his burst and toughness made him really difficult to bring down once the ball was in his hands and his candor in post-game interviews showed that he has the makings of a much-needed leader in that young Jets locker room.
Honorable Mentions: Chris Olave (Saints), Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks), Tyler Allgeier (Falcons)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Sauce Gardner (Jets)
It's a clean sweep for the Jets in the Rookie of the Year categories. Gardner wasn't just the best defensive rookie, he routinely looked like the best corner in the league during his inaugural stretch of NFL action. Driven by an impeccable nose for the football (2 INT's, a league-high 20 passes defensed) and a combination of fluid movement and fearlessness that allowed him to hold his own against some of the best WR's in the league (he only allowed a single TD and 34 of the 74 passes thrown at him to be completed), Gardner was able to go from the young kid with a target on his back to a feared corner that opponents were afraid to throw at in a matter of months. As lazy and obvious as the Darrelle Revis comparisons are given his history with the Jets, Gardner is making a strong early case that he has what it takes to be the next potential Hall of Fame corner to play for Woody Johnson's team.
Honorable Mentions: Tariq Woolen (Seahawks), Aidan Hutchinson (Lions), Jaquan Brisker (Bears)
Coach of the Year: Brian Daboll (Giants)
Don't let the Giants ungraceful exit from the playoffs minimize what Daboll did this season. He transformed Daniel Jones from a punchline to a respectable starting QB, re-established a competitve spirit in a locker room that Joe Judge had sucked the life out of over the prior 2 seasons and led a team with hardly any serviceable players, let alone high-end talent to a 9-7-1 record. It's one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NFL history and Daboll deserves all the credit in the world for making it happen.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Siranni (Eagles), Doug Pederson (Jaguars), Kyle Shanahan (49ers)
Comeback Player of the Year: Geno Smith (Seahawks)
Smith had only started 5 games as an injury replacement since he lost the starting gig with the Jets following his 2nd pro season in 2014 prior to being named the Seahawks starter back in August. Everybody who follows the league closely viewed the decision to start Smith as the Seahawks way of waving the white flag and commiting to tanking in order to draft their next potential franchise quarterback in 2023. He made every single one of his many doubters look like the gasbag dipshits that we often are. Smith was a poised, confident presence at QB -throwing for 4,282 YDS/30 TD's/11 INT's and completing a league-high 69.8% of his passes that also managed to help bring back the sense of cohesion and rhythm that the Seahawks didn't have with Russell Wilson in 2021. The Seahawks earning a playoff spot while Wilson imploded in his hand-picked new home in Denver is just the cherry on top of Smith's magical 2022 campaign.
Honorable Mentions: Christian McCaffery (Panthers/49ers), Saquon Barkley (Giants), Chris Godwin (Buccaneers)
All-Pro Team:
Quarterback:
1st team: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
2nd team: Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
Running Back:
1st team: Josh Jacobs (Raiders), Nick Chubb (Browns)
2nd team: Derrick Henry (Titans), Christian McCaffery (Panthers/49er)
Wide Receiver:
1st team: Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins)
2nd team: Stefon Diggs (Bills), Davante Adams (Raiders)
Tight End:
1st team: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
2nd team: George Kittle (49ers)
Tackle:
1st team: Andrew Thomas (Giants), Lane Johnson (Eagles)
2nd team: Trent Williams (49ers), Brian O'Neill (Vikings)
Guard:
1st team: Chris Lindstrom (Falcons), Joel Bitonio (Browns)
2nd team: Joe Thuney (Chiefs), Michael Onwenu (Patriots)
Center:
1st team: Creed Humphrey (Chiefs)
2nd team: Jason Kelce (Eagles)
Defensive End:
1st team: Nick Bosa (49ers), Myles Garrett (Browns)
2nd team: Maxx Crosby (Raiders), Jalean Phillips (Dolphins)
Defensive Tackle:
1st team: Chris Jones (Chiefs), Dexter Lawrence (Giants)
2nd team: Quinnen Williams (Jets), Cameron Heyward (Steelers)
Outside Linebacker:
1st team: Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Haason Reddick (Eagles)
2nd team: Matthew Judon (Patriots), Alex Highsmith (Steelers)
Inside Linebacker:
1st team: Fred Warner (49ers), T.J. Edwards (Eagles)
2nd team: Bobby Wagner (Rams), Nick Bolton (Chiefs)
Cornerback:
1st team: Sauce Gardner (Jets), Patrick Surtain II (Broncos)
2nd team: Jaire Alexander (Packers), Jalen Ramsey (Rams)
Safety:
1st team: Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), Derwin James (Chargers)
2nd team: Tyrann Mathieu (Saints), Kamren Curl (Commanders)
Kicker:
1st team: Daniel Carlson (Raiders)
2nd team: Jason Myers (Seahawks)
Punter:
1st team: Tommy Townsend (Chiefs)
2nd team: Michael Dickson (Seahawks)
Return Specialist:
1st team: Keisean Nixon (Packers), Marcus Jones (Patriots)
2nd team: Kene Nwangwu (Vikings), Kalif Raymond (Lions)
Special Teamer:
1st team: Jeremy Reaves (Commanders)
2nd team: George Odum (49ers)
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 predictions:
Torry Holt, wide receiver (Teams: St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Darrelle Revis, cornerback (Teams: New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs)
Joe Thomas, tackle (Team: Cleveland Browns)
Zach Thomas, inside linebacker (Teams: Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys)
DeMarcus Ware, defensive end (Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos)
What My Ballot Would Look Like If I Could Vote:
Darrelle Revis
Joe Thomas
Zach Thomas
DeMarcus Ware
Patrick Willis, inside linebacker (Team: San Francisco 49ers)
No comments:
Post a Comment