2017 Season Award Nominations and Player Spotlights

Season 2 had come and gone and everyone is getting more familiar with there teams and added/dropped players to hopefully build a winner. Nominate below the players you feel will make an impact for you!

OPOTY:
QB Johnny Manziel
Two straight years of Johnny getting hurt when it matters most and Coach Pettine still has faith in him to take meaningful snaps in the big dance and not get hurt, but has a backup plan with RG3.

DPOTY:
CB Justin Gilbert
With 15ints in the last two seasons and 16 total since entering the league, Gilbert received a well earned long term extension. With a new contract and Haden getting older Gilbert is expected to take a huge leap this year.

ROTY:
TE Rafael Garcia
Rafael was taken in the first round at Pick 31 and came into camp and took the starting Job from Gary"Big play" Barndige. With the loss of slot WR Andrew Hawkins Garcia is expected to be a HUGE part of the offense.


FAOTY:
QB Robert Griffin III
With only four Free agent signings Robert was the obvious choice. Although Robert is not expected to make an impact the history of Johnny's injuries are well noted and Coach Pettine thought RG3 was the best backup plan.


Breakout Player:
LE Tyrone Crawford/MLB Barkevious Mingo
Both of these players are filling in HUGE spots(MLB Karlos Dansby, LE Randy Starks) but waited there turn as backups and are expected to make instant impacts. Tyrone as a pass rushing specialist and Mingo as a hybrid monster LB.

The Bears haven't entered a new season with this much excitement since Chicago drafted Mario Jeter in Madden 15, and led the Windy City to its first AALoA Super Bowl title.

Offensive PotY
QB Zach Mettenberger
The snub of the year a season ago returns with his two towers on the outside still terrorizing secondaries.  While his security blanket, Matt Forte, went to Rocky Mountains, his new backfield mate will open some eyes.  Will the NFL's returning passing leader finally get the respect he deserves? A year ago, he didn't have Forte or Jeffery for several weeks.  Maybe being in a contract year will motivate him that much more.

Defensive PotY
OLB Iran Coleman
Bypassing Rookie of the Year talk entirely, the Fresno State product is an immediate impact player for the Bears defense, stepping into a position that hasn't had a speed rusher on the right side to pressure offenses since Julius Peppers roamed the field in blue and orange.  Lining up next to Lotulelei, you have to expect Coleman seeing a lot of one on one matchups. The Bears got an absolute steal in the 3rd round, grabbing the drafts 3rd best prospect, who was only projected to go in the 4th round at best.

Rookie otY
RB Taylor Hogan
Chicago fans have always taken the RB position for granted. Except for those Curtis Enis years... Hogan has been compared favorably to another Georgia product, Todd Gurley, only quicker, with a step less top end speed. The diminutive back only measures 5'10" with cleats on, but he boasts NFL level strength, agility, elusiveness, and trucking. While he doesn't bring Forte's pass catching prowess, don't underestimate the new feature back in Chicago who will be challenged by an unhappy Jeremy Langford pushing for playing time.

Free Agent/Newcomer otY
DE Star Lotulelei
The star of the Bears free agent class. Heh. Heh. See what I did there? I'll see myself out...
Lotulelei will demand constant double teams from opposing offenses. The double teams won't show up in the stat lines, but Iran Coleman, Eddie Goldman, and Pernell McPhee will be buying Lotulelei buffets all year long as thanks. And should he see single blocks, his 96 Strength, 95 Block Shedding, 94 Pursuit, and 93 Tackle ratings will make opposing Running Backs think twice about running in his direction.

Breakout PotY
FS Adrian Amos
After two seasons as a special teams ace, and a handful of special defensive packages, Amos steps into the starting role. The rangy defensive back picks up Brock Vereen's playmaker spot, with Vereen locking down the strong safety position vacated by the release of Antrel Rolle.  Amost has elite speed/acceleration, and is an instinctive cover guy.

Bump.

Offensive Player of the Year
RB Todd Gurley
As the most talented player on the roster, Gurley is expected to be the focal point of the offense.
 
Defensive Player of the Year
RE Aaron Donald
Now that Chris Long and James Lauranitis is gone, Donald has become the leader on defense. Donald recently inked a 6-year, 105 million dollar deal to stay in Los Angeles.
 
Rookie of the Year
WR Antoine Austin
After letting Tavon Austin walk in free agency, the Rams went and drafted his replacement from the University of Pittsburgh. Austin isn’t a speed demon like his predecessor, but he too has a knack for getting open.
 
Free Agent of the Year
QB Mark Sanchez
Just manage the game, Mark.
 
Breakout Player of the Year
TE Troy Niklas
With Jared Cook out with a broken ankle, the third-year player  out of Notre Dame will have big shoes to fill.

Offensive Player of the Year
Devin Nealy, QB
Now that he is in his second year, he is expected to make a jump and shoulder the offensive load. He was productive last year, but made too many turnovers. This year, he will be counted on to get his various weapons involved especially because Father Time has caught up to Arian Foster.

Defensive Player of the Year
JJ Watt, DE
He's possibly the best defensive player in the NFL and will be needed more than ever this year with the transition from 3-4 to 4-3. This switch will hopefully give him more space to operate and prevent as many double teams.

Free Agent of the Year
N/A-- Texans made no signings other than backups.

Breakout of the Year
Romel Phillips, TE
The second year TE had all the makings to be a great one when he was drafted, and he filled the hole admirably last season. After an offseason of hard work, he is looking to have a breakout season as he tries to establish himself as the ultimate matchup nightmare.

Raiders

OPOTY 
Jerrick McKinnon

DPOTY
Sean Weatherspoon 

ROTY
TE Parker

FAOTY
Emmanuel Sanders

Breakout Player
Jeron Johnson

OPOTY - WR Devante Parker. Last year's leading receiver before going down in Week 15 due to injury. He is the Dolphins' focal point thru their air attack and is always a threat to break a game open with a huge play. 

DPOTY - DE Dion Jordan. The perrenial pothead is always a threat to burn offenders with blazing speed and an insatiable munchies type appetite to sack the QB. 

ROTY - LB Tucker. A solid athletic LB that can play either outside position and be a valuable asset when it comes to covering the dangerous TEs in this league or stuffing the run. 

FA OTY - WR Tavon Austin. A surprise signing by the Dolphins that gives their offense the valuable slot speedy weapon they were sorely lacking. Austin proved his worth in Week 1 with a few significant plays vs the Falcons en route to a win. 

Breakout Player - HB Jay Ajayi. Serving as the #2 to Lamar Miller Ajayi has always been useful in spots but has been thrust into the starting lineup following an injury to Miller and Ajayi has been more than serviceable to start the season.

OPOTY: Martvis Bryant
DPOTY: Eric Berry
ROTY: WR GREER
FAOTY: No FA Signed
Breakout Player: Travis Kelce