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NFL 2018 Awards: Mahomes vs. Gurley and other race updates

By Erik Lambert

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 28: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 28: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 07: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans pressures Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 07: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans pressures Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year

  1. J.J. Watt (DE, Houston Texans)
  2. Aaron Donald (DT, Los Angeles Rams)
  3. Dee Ford (EDGE, Kansas City Chiefs)
  4. D.J. Swearinger (S, Washington Redskins)
  5. Harrison Smith (S, Minnesota Vikings)

Fans are elated to see J.J. Watt finally back hunting quarterbacks after seeing back problems plagued him the previous two seasons. He’s got eight sacks already with four forced fumbles, leading the Texans defense back to prominence. Donald? He only has 10 sacks and leads the NFL. It’s pretty much a two-man race at this point.

That said, Ford cannot be overlooked here. While he’s been overshadowed by the Chiefs electric offense, he still has eight sacks and four forced fumbles this season. Swearinger and Smith have also been tremendous with their abilities to create turnovers in the passing game as well as make plays in the opposing backfield.

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