ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has released his midseason NFL awards rankings, evaluating top contenders for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and other honors after nine weeks of the 2025 season, with articles published within the last 24 hours underscoring the timeliness of this analysis. This assessment provides a snapshot of standout individual performances in a highly competitive league where no team remains undefeated, offering insights into who leads the race for key accolades.
The NFL season has reached a pivotal midpoint characterized by parity, with nine teams sporting only two losses and no undefeated squads, making individual evaluations crucial. Barnwell’s approach focuses on players and coaches based on their first-half contributions, emphasizing availability and consistency over nine games. He covers seven awards, including MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year, synthesizing data from performance metrics and game footage to rank front-runners in each category.
In the Defensive Rookie of the Year race, New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter tops the list despite recording just half a sack, as he leads all rookies with 34 pressures and 20 quick pressures, indicating his disruptive impact. Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger follows, having played 95% of defensive snaps before a high ankle sprain, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish ranks third for his physical slot coverage and effectiveness in blitz packages, contributing two sacks and five tackles for loss.
For Offensive Rookie of the Year, Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren leads with 518 receiving yards and four touchdowns, showcasing versatility in roles ranging from fullback to receiver. Seattle Seahawks guard Grey Zabel is second, allowing pressures on only 3.5% of pass-blocking snaps and dominating run block win rates, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is third, leading rookies with 565 receiving yards and five touchdowns despite battling hamstring issues.
The Protector of the Year award for top offensive lineman features Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins in first place, praised for handling one-on-one blocks 88.2% of the time with minimal pressures allowed. Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson ranks second for his exceptional run-blocking and near-perfect penalty record, and Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson is third, though missed snaps due to injuries slightly impact his standing despite elite performance when active.
Coach of the Year candidates include Detroit Lions’ Dan Campbell, Los Angeles Rams’ Sean McVay, and others, with Barnwell highlighting coaches who excel on their preferred side of the ball in a crowded field. The article also ranks MVP candidates, likely focusing on quarterbacks and other key players, though specific details are part of the broader evaluation that emphasizes current form over end-of-season predictions.
This midseason review, drawing from ESPN and cross-checked with outlets like Owensboro Radio, provides a unified narrative on the NFL’s top performers, setting the stage for second-half developments. As injuries and performance fluctuations occur, these rankings may evolve, but they offer a valuable benchmark for fans and analysts tracking the league’s award races and playoff implications.