NFL Awards Watch: Rookie Of The Year Races Heat Up

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Welcome to NFL Awards Watch, my weekly column that will take a look at the five major awards handed out in the NFL: MVP; Offensive and Defensive Player Of The Year; and Offensive and Defensive Rookie Of The Year.

JONATHAN HUTTON NFL AWARDS WATCH ARCHIVE

There’s a new leader for MVP, a close competition that feels like the vote will come down to Week 18. Micah Parsons should start looking over his shoulder for the league’s top defensive player award, while the NFL’s premier wide receiver resides in the North. I also have new leaders in both rookie categories. Let’s get to it:

NFL Awards Watch: Week 13

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

QB JALEN HURTS, Philadelphia Eagles 

Hurts led a Philly offense that threw for 380 yards against a Titans defense that had been solid all season, yet appeared helpless against the versatile Hurts. All three of his touchdown passes were at least 20 air yards, and he’s now 9 for 16 on passes into the end zone. The key for his MVP candidacy: He’s piloting an Eagles offense that passed for nearly 400 yards against the Titans a week after rushing for 363 yards against the Packers. Hurts accounted for 157 of the 363 yards on the ground and has totaled six touchdowns over the last two weeks for the 11-1 Eagles. 

Two More To Consider:

A Total Play In Packers Vs. Eagles

Jalen Hurts is the front runner to be named NFL MVP. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON, Minnesota Vikings

The league’s most impressive wide out hauled in seven catches for 45 yards and a touchdown against a strong Jets defensive game plan. Jefferson was held in check for the majority of the game, but caught a 10-yard touchdown pass halfway through the fourth quarter against DJ Reed that ultimately led to the Vikings yet again winning a one-possession game. 

Two More To Consider:

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

WR CHRISTIAN WATSON, Green Bay Packers.

Where has this version of Christian Watson been all season? He now has seven touchdowns on just 25 catches. He’s also the only rookie receiver in NFL history to score eight touchdowns in a four-game span. Randy Moss accomplished that as a veteran. I thought the Bears were actually going to beat the Packers last Sunday. Then Aaron Rodgers and Watson took over.

Two More To Consider:

Aaron Rodgers has found a reliable #1 target in rookie Christian Watson. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

OLB MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys

He remains the leader, but Nick Bosa is coming on strong for the 8-4 Niners. Parsons remains at 12 sacks on the season. But that number will climb as more snaps come for Parsons on a team that leads the league in point differential. The Cowboys will be in the lead and Parsons will feast on quarterbacks forced to throw to stay on pace with the scoreboard.

Two More To Consider:

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

CB TARIK WOOLEN, Seattle Seahawks

The rookie is now tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions on the season, which is also a Seahawks rookie record for picks.

Two More To Consider:

Jonathan Hutton is the host of OutKick 360 and will write weekly about NFL awards. Follow Hutton on Twitter.

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Jonathan Hutton is the host of OutKick 360 which breaks down all the latest sports headlines every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Hutton joined OutKick in January of 2021 after nine years as co-host of Midday 180 on 104.5 The Zone, the second highest rated local sports show in the United States. He is well recognized in the Tennessee sports community and spent 16 years on the Tennessee Titans Radio Network, serving as the Gameday Host, sideline reporter, among other roles. Hutton also does television play-by-play for the TSSAA state football and basketball championships on the NFHS Network as well as a freelance sports anchor for WTVF-TV NewsChannel in Nashville. Hutton is a Tennessee native.