It’s right about that time in the season where the award races are pretty set between a clear 1-3 players. I will be giving my opinions and votes on who I think should win each award. I’m going fully based on my opinion and not considering Madden’s rankings so I apologize if I have any unoriginal votes.
LEAGUE AWARDS
MVP: Patrick Mahomes
MVP is between 2 players in my eyes… Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. MVP is a QB award like it or not, it’s just the facts. Herbert with his 2 game suspension allowed Mahomes to catch up in TDs and yards, then Mahomes has a 19% advantage on completion percentage (rpo/jet pass merchant) so you have to give it to Mahomes.
COTY: Ke
This one was really down to Ke and Dot, the reason I give it to Ke is because his roster is 100% worse than the Pats and he is a higher seed than Dot.
NFC AWARDS
OPOY: Aaron Jones
It was between Jones, Kupp, and Emari. The reason I give it to Jones over both of them is winning/seeding. In my system team success matters, it’s easier to stat pad on a none playoff team so Emari might be better statistically it doesn’t lead to wins (que sucks). Jones has carried the Packers to a playoff spot (as of now) by himself due to Watson being suspended, he has put up 2,030 total yards and 15 total TDs. The only reason it was even close was because of his 5 fumbles.
DPOY: Aaron Donald
Man I really wanted to give this to rookie Calijah Kancey… it was real close. I have to be consistent though and the facts are AD is sitting at 9-4 in a strong division and Kancey is sitting at 4-8 in a weaker division. AD has 71 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks vs Kancey 39 tackles, 25 tackle for loss, 11.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. If I could give a CO-DPOY I would.
OROY: Emari Demercado
I could use his record against him in OPOY, but I can’t deny him here. Racking up 1,180 total yards and 17 total TDs… with ZERO fumbles. Once Arizona puts some talent around him he will put the league on notice and has shown he can be an every down back.
DROY: Calijah Kancey
This man was almost DPOY, what more can I say. Check his stats vs AD above, on track for a historic career.
Best QB: Derek Carr
If there’s one thing JC is going to do it’s going to be make his QB look like a regular season legend. This award was between Carr, Dak, and Geno. Geno had around 1,000 less yards and around 8 TDs less than both, the only reason he was considered was due to his low INT count. Then it was down to Dak vs Carr… I’ll give you the numbers. Player A: 3,875 yards, 34 TDs, 16 INTs, 68% completion percentage, 112 QBR, and 10-3 record vs Player B: 3,410 yards, 32 TDs, 14 INTs, 66% completion percentage, 110 QBR, 9-3 record. To me it’s easily player A which is Carr. The thing I will add is Carr has 100 more attempts than Geno and 14 more than Dak.
Best RB: Aaron Jones
He won OPOY, he’s gonna win best RB. Madden is ridiculous at times and will have a QB win MVP then turn around and get 3rd best QB in their conference. Not in my system.
Best WR: Cooper Kupp
It was pretty much Kupp all the way. Putting up 1,350 yards and 13 TDs… the next closest was Ceedee with 1,010 yards and 14 TDs. Kupp is dominating once again.
Best OL: Taylor Lewan
In 718 snaps he has only allowed 1 sack while having players like Parsons, Lawrence, Reddick, and Thib in his division. Crazy thing is I think he was a FA pick up.
Best DL: Aaron Donald
Like I said about my system… we are consistent!
Best LB: Leighton Vander Esch
For me it was between Demario Davis and Leighton. Demario had him beat by 23 tackles, however Leighton does it all. 94 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 INTs, and 2 forced fumbles. That man knows how to fill a stat sheet. To me that’s what a true LB does, they impact the game in every way possible.
Best CB: Jaire Alexander
I know we don’t have best CB in Madden, but I feel like combining safeties and CBs is lame. Jaire really does it all. He’s tied for the most INTs (by CBs) with 6, he has 50 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles. I love a CB who can lock down #1 WRs and also have an impact in the run game… truly impressive.
Best S: Tyrann Mathieu
Even at 31 years old he is still representing the short kings. 82 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 5 INTs, and 2 forced fumbles while leading one of the best defenses in the league. I do want to give a shoutout to Kerby Joseph though, he is a future superstar.
Best K: Brandon Aubrey
For me it was between Aubrey and Chase Mclaughlin. Chase may have had 4 more made field goals… he missed one. While Aubrey is perfect 20/20 on FGs and 52/53 on XPs. That’s not it though Aubrey is also NINE FOR NINE on kicks 50 yards or more, which includes a 59 yarder. I hope you can appreciate this analysis Z.
Best Returner: Velus Jones Jr.
I hate this man, but I have to give him his flowers. 1,205 return yards and 2 TDs (one being a OT game winner). He averages 31 yards per kick off attempt. However, I do want to mention there is some controversy behind his ways, he is the only user to do the run out of the endzone and come back in for momentum cheese… is it a coincidence he is doing the best returning?
