NFL Midseason Award Winners

As NFL teams embark on the midway point of this season, a collection of players have begun to separate themselves with their individual play.

While the league's regular season award winners are far from finalized, here are some midseason winners who are in poll position to receive some prestigious NFL awards.

Most Valuable Player: QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Aaron Rodgers was the last player to win consecutive NFL MVP awards in 2020 and 2021. Lamar Jackson has a chance to reach the same rare air if he maintains his elite play.

Through nine games with Baltimore, Jackson has led his team to a 6-3 start while orchestrating the league's number one offense. He's second in passing yards (2.379), tied for second in touchdown passes (20), the league leader in passer rating (120.2) while rushing for over 500 yards and two scores on just 87 carries.

The NFL has never had a quarterback rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards during the same season. If Lamar rewrites history, he'll solidify his third most valuable player award before the age of 30.

Offensive Player Of The Year: RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

While Jackson has been phenomenal under center this season, he's been aided by a career resurgence from former Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry.

Through nine games, Henry has rushed for over the 1,000-yard mark and leads the league in carries (168), rushing yards (1,052) rushing touchdowns (11) and rushing yards per game (116.9)at 30 years of age.

The dynamic rushing pairing of Jackson and Henry has helped Baltimore boast the top-ranked rushing offense in football. Barring injury, Henry is on track to secure OPOY hardware.

Defensive Player Of The Year: DE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

While Cincinnati feature one of the worst defenses in football, Trey Hendrickson has still stood out as an edge rusher. In nine starts, Hendrickson has an NFL-best 11 sacks and is in a three-way tie with Las Vegas Raiders Maxx Crosby and Houston Texans Will Anderson for the lead league in tackles for loss (17).

When he isn't sacking opposing quarterbacks or stuffing a run play, Hendrickson's presence is felt through his league-high 22 quarterback hits. If Hendrickson replicates his recent success during the second-half of the season, his DPOY chances will become a reality.

Offensive Rookie Of The Year: QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

The expectation from Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders were that they would showcase long-term upside as an offense throughout their first season together. Instead, Daniels' dynamic play has allowed Washington to achieve recent short-term success many never realized.

The former Heisman Trophy winner has led the Commanders to a 7-2 record and sole possession of first place in the NFC East. He currently tops all rookie quarterbacks in completions (163), completion percentage (71.1) passing touchdowns (9) and rushing yards (459).

With Washington poised to make a second-half playoff push, a strong finish to his rookie campaign would help Daniels give the franchise their first ROTY since Robert Griffin III in 2012.

Defensive Rookie Of The Year: DE Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

While replacing a hall of fame talent in Aaron Donald is easier said than done, a rookie edge rusher from Florida State has made his presence felt as the team's premiere pass-rusher.

Jared Verse leads Los Angeles in quarterback hits (13) and is second on the Rams in sacks with 3.5. He also has a team-high nine tackles for loss and tops all defensive rookies with 32 total pressures.

Verse's play has helped aid the Rams' defensive resurgence during their three-game winning streak. It might only take a double-digit sack season from LA's first-round pick to solidify his DROTY award.

Comeback Player Of The Year: QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

A season-ending achilles injury robbed Kirk Cousins of a projected career season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023. This time around as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, he's picking up where he left off after a shaky start to 2024.

At 36-years-old, Cousins is fourth in passing yards per game (258.7), tied for third in touchdown passes (17) and is completing 69.2 percent of his passes while leading his 6-3 Atlanta Falcons.

With the franchise in a comfortable position to win their division, Cousins is in line to have wins and individual numbers needed to secure the Comeback Player of the Year Award.