2022 NFL Mid-season Awards

We’re slightly past the halfway point of the year with still a lot of football left to play. In a season full of surprises, there’s been some elite players who have stood out and these are the ones we’d like to feature in the awards we project them to win for the season. 

Most Valuable Player: Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins

Tua has put all doubters to rest as he’s gone undefeated in every game he’s started and finished this season. When healthy, this Dolphins offense is unstoppable. The value Tua brings to the offense is so much as they are completely different with someone else under center. 

Offensive Player of the Year: Tyreek Hill – Miami Dolphins

Currently on pace to break Calvin Johnson’s record for most yards in a single season is Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins. Tyreek Hill has a legitimate chance of breaking it as he’s gone for 1,100 yards thus far this season. The massive haul the Dolphins gave the Chiefs was well worth it for both teams as Tyreek Hill has been a huge addition for the Dolphins who are in the playoff hunt. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Micah Parsons – Dallas Cowboys

In his first season in the NFL, Micah Parsons was the clear winner of the Defensive Rookie of the Year but was legitimately in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. This year he’s capitalized off a stellar rookie season and has emerged as a top candidate for defensive player of the year. The Cowboys were able to keep their playoff hopes alive with Cooper Rush under center in large part to the efforts of the defense and more specifically the play from their linebackers Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch. Parsons is in the top 5 in the NFL in sacks, but that doesn’t show enough of the impact he’s made as other teams have to completely change their gameplans to work around him as it feels like he’s everywhere on the field. 

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Dameon Pierce – Houston Texans

The offensive rookie of the year award is a very tight race between Dameon Pierce and Kenneth Walker but we’re giving the nod to Pierce. The Seahawks have a lot of other playmakers on their team that can also get things done which helps give Walker more opportunities. Pierce on the other hand has pretty much been the entirety of the Texans offense this season. He’s been an excellent addition to the team. 

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Sauce Gardner – New York Jets

The Jets have been bad for the better portion of the 2000’s with a couple runs splashed throughout. The Jets this year were projected 6 wins on the year and have already hit that mark as they’ve gone off to a 6-3 start. They have the play of several offensive playmakers, but a huge part of the reason for their record is their defense. Their defense has been stellar and Sauce has been a leader on the team as a rookie. Despite only 2 interceptions, his coverage has reminded us of another Jets defensive back from years ago in Darrelle Revis. If Gardner keeps it up, he’ll certainly be heading down the same path as the great lockdown defender. 

Comeback Player of the Year: Geno Smith – Seattle Seahawks

At 32 years old, Geno Smith is having the best season of his career. Geno Smith has over 200 more yards and over double the amount of touchdowns than his predecessor Russell Wilson and surprisingly has the Seattle Seahawks in first in the NFC West. Behind Allen, Tua, Mahomes, & Hurts, Geno Smith is in the 2nd tier of potential MVP candidates for how the Seahawks have gotten off to a 6-4 start through their first 10 matchups. As long as either Lockett or Metcalf can remain playing, Smith should continue to be performing as well as he is. 

Coach of the Year: Nick Siriani – Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Siriani is the only coach in the NFL who can say that their team is still undefeated this season. In fact, he’s been the only coach that could make that claim for quite some time now. The Eagles have won in some tight games with incredible plays made by Jalen Hurts, but also thanks to great play calling efforts by coach Siriani. The Eagles have a tougher schedule ahead, but if Siriani can help lead them to the #1 spot in the NFC, like they are now, it’ll be a very convincing argument for him to be coach of the year.