Turns out some NFL scouts know what they’re doing and recognize what they see — but then again, Lamar Jackson.
Anyhow, here are the biggest ‘NFL Honors’ award winners that were presented Saturday in Miami.
NFL MVP (Lamar Jackson)
The Ravens’ spectacular dual-threat star earned all 50 first-place votes, making him only the second unanimous MVP in NFL history, following Tom Brady in 2010.
Defensive Rookie of the Year (Nick Bosa)
Bosa. who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, had nine regular-season sacks, 47 tackles, two passes defended, and one interception. And so far in the playoffs, he has three additional sacks and a defended pass.
Joey Bosa won the award in 2016 playing for the Chargers so the Bosas became the first set of brothers to win the award.
Nice job, bros.
Defensive Player of the Year (Stephon Gilmore)
The first-team All-Pro and 2020 Pro Bowl selection tied for the league lead in interceptions with six and his 20 passes defended also led the NFL in 2019. Gilmore becomes just the fifth cornerback to win the award and the first since 2010 when Packers DB Charles Woodson won.
Offensive Rookie of the Year (Kyler Murray)
Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, is the first former Heisman trophy winner selected first overall to win Offensive Rookie of the Year since Cam Newton in 2011. Murray also joined Newton as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with 3,500-plus pass yards and 500-plus rush yards in their rookie seasons.
Offensive Player of the Year (Michael Thomas)
After becoming the first non-quarterback in NFL history to sign a $100 million contract, more than lived up to his worth, breaking Indianapolis Colts Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison’s single-season reception record (143 in 2002) with 149 catches for a league- and career-best 1,725 yards receiving. He was also named to the Pro Bowl for the third straight season and landed his second consecutive first-team All-Pro selection.
AP Comeback Player of the Year (Ryan Tannehill)
Tannehill, the eighth overall pick in the 2012 draft, was acquired by the Tennessee Titans from the Miami Dolphins in a sweet draft-pick deal in March 2019. The Titans QB took over for Marcus Mariota six games into the regular season and helped lead Tennessee to a 7-3 record as a starter and an upset playoff win over the Patriots. Tannehill threw for 2,742 yards, 22 touchdowns and ran for four TDs. In 2019, he finished first in the NFL for passer rating and third in completion percentage, earning the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any QB.
AP Coach of the Year (John Harbaugh)
Harbaugh led the Ravens to a league-best and franchise-record 14-2 record in 2019. This is the first time Harbaugh has won the award and the first time a Ravens coach was won Coach of the Year.
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (Calais Campbell)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell is a five-time Pro Bowler, but this is a big honor. Per NFL.com:
“Campbell was named the 2019 NFL Man of the Year during Saturday’s ‘NFL Honors’ award show in Miami. Campbell, alongside his mother and seven siblings, formed the CRC Foundation, named for his late father, Charles, in 2009 to enhance the community through the teaching of critical life skills to young people.
“My goal when I give back is to inspire people; to encourage people to believe that dreams are achievable if you put the work in,” Campbell said at NFL Honors. “Everybody, and I mean everybody, can give back. Wherever you are in your life, it doesn’t matter where you are in your life, but reach back and help someone. It’s our duty to help our neighbors. Even if you can only give five minutes to someone in need, give it to them. That one-on-one quality time, that little bit of extra time can make a world of difference. Those five minutes can change a life. Walter Payton spent time with my coach, which, in turn, ended up having a strong impact on me. Walter Payton strived to have an impact on the world; we should all strive to be more like Walter Payton.”
Isn’t that the truth?
Well said, Calais.
