Seven NFL Award Contenders No One Saw Coming at the Start of the Year

We are entering the second half of the NFL season, and some major patterns have emerged. Several teams and players have outperformed expectations, emerging as superstars despite the expectations of fans and pundits.

Before the season began, oddsmakers created their odds for the favorites for the awards. Midway through the year, there have been huge shakeups to those odds, with new favorites emerging. Let’s look at some players and coaches who have emerged as surprise contenders for major awards.

Xavier McKinney

Xavier McKinney has been a high-quality safety throughout his young career. But if you looked at any sportsbook, his odds would not have been listed for Defensive Player of the Year before the season began. Now, he is the top-rated player at his position, with relatively strong odds to claim this prestigious award. While he is still a long shot, betting on McKinney is appealing for those looking to take an enticing risk with their free bet bonus proceeds. Considering he leads the league in interceptions, it makes for an enticing bet.

Brock Bowers

The Offensive Rookie of the Year race has been dominated by Jayden Daniels, which isn’t entirely unexpected. However, Brock Bowers is one player who is holding his own and has a fair shot to take the trophy home. Bowers would not likely have been at the top of anyone’s rankings before the season began, but he has been one of the best tight ends in all football. Bowers still ranks behind several other players, but his level of performance cannot be overlooked at this point. He is on pace for one of the greatest rookie tight end seasons ever.

Derrick Henry

Running backs don’t last long, and Derrick Henry has substantial wear and tear after a successful career in Tennessee. That’s why his name wasn’t listed at the top of many Offensive Player of the Year leaderboards. However, that is exactly where he finds himself right now after another dominant showing. Henry has powered a Ravens offense that has been arguably the league’s best and is leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. If any bettors placed their free bets on Henry before the season began, they are poised to reap the benefits. He has become the favorite for OPOY.

Jahmyr Gibbs

A sneaky contender for Offensive Player of the Year is Jahmyr Gibbs, who has surged in recent weeks and seems unstoppable. Gibbs was not on any of the award shortlists when the season began. But he will now be one of the engines that make the Detroit Lions run. Gibbs is a home-run threat who seems to be picking up steam, and he is on track for more than 1700 total yards and 17 touchdowns. If he can elevate those numbers even further, there is no reason he can’t provide bettors with a massive payout. 

Jared Goff

Jared Goff has been a high-quality starter for most of his career, leading the Detroit Lions’ resurgence. However, when the season kicked off, he would not likely have been many people’s picks for the Most Valuable Player award. However, deep into the season, there is a compelling argument to give Goff this award, and his odds have surged. He has been on-point as the quarterback for the Lions, leading them to one of the best records in the league and several marquee victories. He takes great care of the ball and could score Detroit an MVP. 

Jayden Daniels

What’s shocking about Daniels isn’t that he is contending for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. That was expected before the season began. What is shocking is that he is in the mix for the Most Valuable Player, an outcome no one would have seen coming. Daniels has the Washington Commanders on the brink of a playoff appearance, and he has been absolutely lights out in his first year. He is having a rookie season, which we have never seen, showing a dynamic ability as both a passer and rusher. While his odds of winning aren’t sky-high, this makes it an enticing bet.

Kevin O’Connell

When the Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins in the offseason and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was injured before the year, they looked like they were in for a lost season. However, head coach Kevin O’Connell has had something to say about that, and the team has surged as an unexpected contender. O’Connell has coaxed a high-quality performance from his offense, with Sam Darnold playing at the highest level of his career. O’Connell is currently on the shortlist of true contenders for this award and has established himself as a top offensive coach.