Mid-season awards for the New England Patriots

The Patriots have played half their games thus far and are on the bye week, getting ready to start the second half of their season. I examine which Patriots players have excelled and which have struggled during their first nine games. Here are my mid-season awards.

Offensive most valuable player

Rhamondre Stevenson

Where would the Patriots’ offense be without the powerful running back Rhamondre Stevenson? Good question. Although it was tough to pick between Stevenson and Jakobi Meyers for this award, Stevenson has been healthier and added more contributions. 79% of Stevenson’s yards have come after contact, and he’s run for 618 this season. The Oklahoma product has taken on the three-down back role and is at the top of the league in multiple statistics. Stevenson boosts the run game and is a reliable pass catcher (35 receptions, 227 yards). The sophomore started this season as the backup to Damien Harris, and they split carries up to Week 5, where Damien Harris left the game with a knee injury. Since then, it has been Stevenson as the lead back.

Defensive most valuable player

Matthew Judon

Matthew Judon may be the most valuable player on both sides of the ball. The 2021 addition has lived up to the hype and surpassed expectations. Judon currently leads the league in pressures (39) and sacks (11.5). Judon will be in the conversation for defensive player of the year if he keeps the pace. Last season Judon got off to a hot start but cooled off and didn’t earn a sack in the previous four games in 2021. Judon’s snap count has consistently remained strong, a sign that he will keep up his pace and health throughout the season. Deatrich Wise Jr. makes a case for this award, but Judon is too powerful. Matthew Judon is a game-changer.

Offensive rookie of the half-year

Cole Strange

Since the Patriots selected guard Cole Strange from the 2022 NFL draft, Strange has been a starter. Many NFL analysts questioned the selection and called it “strange” (pun intended). However, the Chattanooga product has impressed so far and earned the award. Strange is currently ranked the top pass-blocking guard in the 2022 draft class, but his run-blocking isn’t impressive. Bailey Zappe could have achieved this award because of his unexpected role in New England’s offense. The fourth-round rookie was thrown into the offense when Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer were injured. Zappe would win two games in his brief stint as the starter. However, Strange has contributed to every game thus far.

Defensive rookie of the half-year

Jack Jones

Jack Jones has been the Patriots’ most impressive rookie so far. The fourth-round pick is in the conversation of being the draft’s biggest steal. The rookie has carved out a significant role, playing outside and matching up against big-name receivers. Jones’s ball-hawking ability is top-notch, and his agility and quickness make up for his lack of size. Playing alongside veteran cornerbacks Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones, he has played the most defensive snaps of all rookies. Jones has -11.9 expected points added, which is second among all rookies. With All-Pro J.C Jackson leaving New England in free agency, there was a big question mark on the cornerback room. Jack Jones has done everything he can to replace Jackson. Jones also plays explosively on special teams and is close to blocking a field goal. Although Marcus Jones has shown he can contribute to the Patriots long-term, he still hasn’t played much defensively and is mainly a special teamer.

Comeback player of the year

Jonathan Jones

There isn’t any conversation about who should earn CPOTY. Jones suffered a season-ending shoulder injury early in the season and created a hole in the Patriot’s secondary. This year Jones is New England’s number-one corner and is playing the best defense of his career. Jones is coming up on a contract year, but he is showing why New England should extend him. Jonathan Jones has been another example of the Patriots developing cornerbacks well, and he is at the top of the NFL in many statistics.

Special team’s most valuable player

Nick Folk

Nick Folk could be the Patriot’s most valuable and consistent player thus far. Folk has been New England’s most dependable player, proving why New England stuck with him as their kicker. Although Folk snapped his NFL streak of consecutive kicks made within 50 yards, Folk has only missed three this year. Along with going 21-21 on PATs, Folk leads the team in points with 77 (third in the NFL). Folk has kept the Patriots in close games and constantly puts points on the board. Matthew Slater was in the conversation about why, but Folk has made a more significant impact thus far.

Most improved player

Deatrich Wise Jr.

Deatrich Wise is having a career season thus far. The versatile veteran has already played 461 defensive snaps, which is only 60 short of his 2021 season total. He has 5.5 sacks on the season, passing a career-high, and has 32 total tackles. The Patriots lean on him on crucial downs, and he has stepped up. The first time team-captain wasn’t seen as a threat to opposing offenses, but he’s proven them wrong. New England’s pass rush is largely dominant because of Wise’s improved play.

Biggest disappointment

Kendrick Bourne

Ah! The one negative award belongs to receiver Kendrick Bourne. After his first-year success with the Patriots, Kendrick Bourne was thought to have a statement second season with the Patriots. Unfortunately, that has yet to be true thus far. He reportedly had behavior issues during the preseason and got kicked out of practice on multiple occasions. Since then, he has been benched numerous times and is slowly seeing his snaps increase with DeVante Parker’s injury. This year he has tallied 14 receptions for 167 yards, which is not great for the fifth-year veteran. Jonnu Smith also has disappointed Patriots fans. After a rough first year in New England, the hope was Smith would click with the offense. That is not the case. Thus far, Smith has 16 receptions for 154 yards. However, in recent games, Smith is starting to get the ball more as a positive sign for the offense.