Fansided
Fansided

2018 NFL Honors: Early front-runners for MVP and other awards

By Erik Lambert

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 16: Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 16: Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Defensive Rookie of the Year

  1. Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns)
  2. Darius Leonard (Indianapolis Colts)
  3. Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers)

Ward got himself out of the gates fast with two interceptions of Ben Roethlisberger in the season opener. He’s been steady since then with an additional five passes defensed. That Browns defense is no joke and he figures to continue benefitting from what is a solid front seven. It will come down to whether or not he can stay healthy for a full season.

Leonard is first among rookies in tackles with 27 while also boasting a sack and a forced fumble. He’s meshed with that Colts defense right away and helped it to show marked improvement from last year. As for James, his presence on the back end is hard to ignore in L.A. He’s especially dangerous around the line of scrimmage where he already has two sacks.

Home/NFL Hot Takes