"His ability to produce at a high level despite injuries around him and constant defensive attention shows just how valuable he is to his team’s success."
It’s that time of year again. As the NFL regular season winds down, the anticipation for the annual NFL Honors awards begins to build. Many of the league’s top players and coaches have put together outstanding seasons, each deserving recognition in their own right. Still, only one can take home each award. With that in mind, here are my picks for who should win—and why.
MVP (Most Valuable Player): Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has been the driving force behind one of the NFL’s most explosive and efficient offenses. His performance this season has consistently elevated the Rams, which has produced high level wins whether the games have been down to the wire, or straight up blowouts. He has thrown for 3,354 yards, has a touchdown to interception ratio of 35 to 4, and has a QBR (Quarterback rating) of 68.8 which are all Top 5 in the league. Stafford’s ability to produce at a high level despite injuries around him and constant defensive attention shows just how valuable he is to his team’s success. His performance this season isn’t just impressive, it’s the definition of “most valuable.”
Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has developed into one of the league’s most dynamic and reliable playmakers. His ability to create separation, make difficult catches, and consistently produce explosive plays has transformed his team’s offense and taken them to the next level. JSN is having a career year this season. He leads the league in receiving yards with 1,428 yards, which is 300 yards more than the next receiver. He also has 89 receptions (4th) and 9 Touchdowns (2nd). He is on pace to set career highs in all major categories and has the chance to break Calvin Johnson’s record for receiving yards in a season which is 1,964 yards. His impact goes beyond stats; he elevates the entire offense. That level of dominance is exactly what the Offensive Player of the Year award recognizes.
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett
Once again, Myles Garrett is having an outstanding season, but this season is much different than the ones in the past. He is on pace to shatter the record for sacks in a season held by T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan which is 22.5 sacks. He currently sits at 20 sacks with four games left in the season. He's been the most disruptive and influential defensive force in the league. Garrett consistently draws double-teams, yet still manages to generate pressures, sacks, and forced mistakes at an elite level. Beyond the stats, Garrett’s impact shows up in how dominant Cleveland’s defense becomes when he’s on the field. His ability to take over games and elevate the entire unit makes him the clear choice for DPOY.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan has made an immediate, game-changing impact in his first season. We saw flashes of his potential in the preseason and he has shown that he is a Wide receiver one in the Carolina Panthers offense since week 1. His blend of size, speed, and natural playmaking ability has turned him into a go-to weapon. He currently has 826 receiving yards which is second among rookies, and is tied for first among rookies with 6 Touchdowns. Most people would think that Emeka Egbuka should win this award and he makes a good case for it. But McMillan is only 54 yards behind Egbuka in yards and has played one less game than him. Not only less games, but less targets. He’s not just producing big numbers, he’s carrying his offense in crucial moments and forcing defenses to adjust their entire game plan around him. Few rookies step into the league and instantly become a focal point, but McMillan has done exactly that. His breakout performance and undeniable influence on his team make him the clear choice for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Carson Schwesinger
Carson Schwesinger has shown the kind of instant defensive impact typically seen from seasoned veterans. Schwesinger consistently disrupts plays, whether it’s shooting gaps in the run game, closing quickly in coverage, or showing poise as a play-caller on defense. You usually don’t see this level of play out of rookies immediately, but Schwesinger is clearly a different breed. He leads rookies in tackles with 119 total tackles and is 7th in the league. THE ENTIRE LEAGUE. He has shown that he has the potential to be an all-time great. The Cleveland Browns defense was already a force in the league, and Schwesinger being added to the mix makes this defense a lot scarier than it already was.
Key Stat
Stafford has thrown for 3,354 yards, and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 35 to 4.
