New England Patriots Midseason Awards: MVP, Least Valuable Player, ROTY & more

Over the years, Patriots fans have been accustomed to the team performing better than nearly every other team in the league, entering the second half of the season well above .500 and appearing on track for another deep postseason run.

Unfortunately, during the last few seasons, that has been a thing of the past as New England transitions to what life is like after Tom Brady. That is especially true this season, as they enter Week 10 with a 2-7 record, with significant ramifications on the horizon if more losses are added.

But despite the losing record and the belief that a team that continues to lose doesn't have well-performing players, there are plenty whose performances have stood out above the rest for good or bad reasons. That's why those players should be acknowledged with midseason awards, to give credit where it's due.

Given their current circumstances, it would be too easy to bring attention to all the bad that is going on with the Patriots this year. Negativity and pessimism dominate the news and comments on social media, so it's time to discuss the better parts of the team overall.

Among the awards that should be handed out through the first nine weeks is Rookie of the Year, which rightfully goes to Christian Gonzalez.

Rookie of the Year (so far): Christian Gonzalez

This was an obvious one, right?

Since being drafted 17th overall earlier this year, Patriots fans have remained overjoyed to have cornerback Christian Gonzalez on the team. He was a day-one starter in what appeared to be a solid defense, and from the first game of the season, he looked like a guy who had been playing the game for many years.

The explosive skills he showed throughout the summer were on display immediately, which became even more impressive given which receivers he was tasked with covering.

In week one, the focus was on A.J. Brown, who even seasoned veterans have trouble slowing down. Gonzalez was successful in doing that, limiting Brown and fellow receiver DeVonta Smith to just seven receptions on 11 targets for 84 yards. He also recorded seven combined tackles, one pass breakup, two tackles for a loss, and even a sack on the ever-elusive Jalen Hurts.

It was a memorable debut for a rookie cornerback in quite some time, and the good news for the Patriots was that he would only get better as the weeks went on.

In the first divisional matchup of the season, Gonzalez was given two more top receivers in the league, covering Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. While playing 100 percent of defensive snaps in the game, the cornerback allowed just three catches on five targets for 32 yards, six combined tackles, a pass breakup, and his first career interception.

The following week was the first road game of the season, and Gonzalez was covering Allen Lazard and Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets for most of the game. He allowed just two catches on three targets for a measly 19 yards.

He was well on his way to earning Defensive Rookie of the Year, and it was only Week 4. But unfortunately, it all came to a screeching halt when he suffered a shoulder injury against the Cowboys, which ended his season far too early.

Other than a promising season cut short being devastating, the Patriots' secondary has been unable to yield the same success they had when Gonzalez was in the lineup. It was clear they got fortunate having him fall into their lap after trading back in the first round, making those who passed on him almost certainly regret their decision.

Most Underrated Player (so far): Jahlani Tavai

If someone told Patriots fans at the start of the 2023 season that Jahlani Tavai would be well on his way to having the best season of his career, not many would have believed it.

The linebacker was signed in 2021, following recently fired head coach Matt Patricia on his way from Detroit back to New England. That season was forgettable for Tavai, but after getting acclimated to his new team and becoming more comfortable in the system, he slowly but surely became one of the more reliable yet underrated members of the defense.

Despite the overall down year for the Patriots in 2022, Tavai recorded the best statistical season of his career. Fast forward to the current season, and he's already on track to blow past those stats well before the end of the year.

Other than his usual contributions when on the field, the momentum-swinging moments made him the most underrated player on the team right now.

Tavai is not a player many catch themselves talking about when discussing a Patriots game, but it's difficult not to mention his name when he's pulling off moments like the forced fumble against the Commanders in Week 9.

On top of that memorable play, he has also recorded 54 combined tackles, two tackles for a loss, three QB hits, a sack, an interception, and three pass breakups. Not many other players on the team right now can say they have accomplished even half of that so far this season.

Because of the number of injuries that have piled up over the weeks, the ascension of Tavai has become even more integral to the defense's success. If he can continue down the path he's already paved, he could wind up atop the list of the best defensive players on the season.

Breakout Player of the Year (so far): Demario Douglas

A major complaint by fans from the 2023 draft was the Patriots' lack of urgency to address the need for better pass catchers on the team. Instead of snagging one of the more prominent names in an early round, Bill Belichick waited until round six to finally select a wide receiver and actually took two of them.

Most of the initial excitement surrounded Kayshon Boutte, who had been a first-round prospect at one time. But as soon as training camp and preseason began, Demario Douglas was all that anyone could talk about.

His exciting performance during practices made him stand out above all others, including veteran receivers. He was so impressive that he seemingly cemented a spot on the Patriots' 53-man roster before preseason was even finished, a feat few can say they've done when a part of the New England team.

As the offense continued to work through growing pains from the start of the season through all nine games, Douglas earned his place atop the depth chart, even more so after Kendrick Bourne tore his ACL in Week 8 against the Dolphins, ending his season. He has become Mac Jones' go-to guy overall, especially when the offense needs a boost with a near guarantee of moving the chains.

Heading into Week 10 in Germany against the Colts, Douglas has played in every game so far, totaling 24/37 receptions for 277 yards. He has yet to reach the end zone, but it's only a matter of time before that happens.

He's also become a versatile player that Belichick is known for having a soft spot for. Not only can Douglas be productive on the offense, but he has also shown he can be a threat as a punt returner.

With the injury of Marcus Jones keeping him out for the rest of the season, Douglas' flexibility takes on a new level of importance, demonstrating even more how integral he has become on the team in a short amount of time.

Least Valuable Player (so far): JuJu Smith-Schuster

In what feels like a predictable development, JuJu Smith-Schuster has been a disappointing signing through the first half of the season so far. Besides the immediate less-than-enthusiastic initial response to his signing, more disappointment came from seeing Jakobi Meyers let go to sign Smith-Schuster in his place.

It was a move by Belichick that was questioned from the start, and because of how the Patriots season has progressed, coupled with Smith-Schuster's lackluster performance, it continues to be labeled as one of the worst decisions by the head coach in recent memory.

From the first game of the season, it seemed like he would be integrated into the offense reasonably quickly. He recorded four receptions on seven targets for 33 yards against the Eagles in Week 1 and a similar stat line the following week. But since the first game against the Dolphins, his reliability has plummeted, leading to a nearly invisible presence on the field.

That may change now that Kendrick Bourne will miss the rest of the year, and DeVante Parker is continuing to recuperate from a concussion he suffered in Miami two weeks ago.

Smith-Schuster's usage will inevitably increase, and he must ensure moments like the final pass against the Commanders last week does not happen again.

Although he hasn't been the player Belichick and Co. were probably hoping for, it seems too soon to label him a bust. He's not been a valuable player thus far, but with half a season left on the schedule, there's plenty of time for that to change.

And hopefully, it does, for him and the Patriots.

Most Valuable Defensive Player (so far): Jabrill Peppers

When looking at the roster before the start of the season and looking back at how the team performed last year, it was fair to assume that the defense would be the best part of the Patriots this year. The offense has been lacking talent and consistency, but the defense has been more dominant than some want to give them credit for.

Most of the complimentary words when discussing the defense through the first few weeks were mainly about Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon, two of the most productive players on the entire team.

But as the weeks went on, Jabrill Peppers' performance began to shine through, which has earned him the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the year so far.

Since signing with the Patriots in 2022, Peppers has proven to be a hard-hitting, do-whatever-it-takes-to-get-the-job-done kind of guy. He's taken that to an all-new level this season, as he's on pace to have one of if not the best season of his career, while also taking on a leadership role since Devin McCourty's retirement.

That aspect of his development in New England has earned him plenty of respect and praise from his teammates, and unlike some, his performance on the field backs it up every week. Through nine games, he's totaled 54 combined tackles, three tackles for a loss, a quarterback hit, six pass breakups, a forced fumble, and an interception returned for one yard.

So far, the most memorable moments of his season have been the big hit on DaVante Adams that led to an interception recovered by Jahlani Tavai against the Raiders and his opening drive interception of Josh Allen vs. the Bills.

The energy Peppers brings to the team is felt by everyone, even those watching at home. His rough and tough style of play has paid off a lot during his two years in New England and will continue to be as long as he stays.

Honorable mentions: Christian Barmore and Kyle Dugger

Most Valuable Offensive Player (so far): Kendrick Bourne

It may be hard to believe for some, given how disorderly the offense has looked for half the season, but there is one clear MVP on the offensive roster: Kendrick Bourne.

After being kept in the coach's doghouse last season despite his importance to Mac Jones and the team as a whole, the resurgence of Bourne has been a thing of beauty through nine games. The explosive and productive receiver we saw during his first year in New England was back, and like others on this list, he was on his way to having a career season.

In need of a bounce-back year, Bourne opened the season with a bang, making six catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns in the game against the Eagles.

He would remain one of Mac Jones' go-to targets, continuing the chemistry they built during the quarterback's rookie season until Bourne went down with a season-ending injury in Week 8.

It was a significant blow to an already underperforming offense, and there isn't a single player on the roster capable of filling the void Bourne will inevitably leave behind.

Like Jabrill Peppers for the defense, Bourne brings the energy and optimism that fuels his offensive teammates to thrive during games. His infectious vibe is one of his best attributes and inevitably translates onto the field through his production.

Now that he will not return this year due to an ACL tear, his presence is already missed in the one game he has been absent. Last week's game against the Commanders was a tough watch, with the offense going 3-for-12 on 3rd down and big drops by the receivers who were playing,
including the potential game-winner by JuJu Smith-Schuster, made most yearn for Bourne's return even more.

On top of that comes the hit of reality that he is only signed with New England through the end of the 2023 season. Because he has become such an essential part of the offense and team overall, most fans hope Belichick will make the right decision to re-sign Bourne for seasons to come.

No matter the decision regarding who will be the head coach/general manager or who will be named the quarterback next year, Bourne should be part of the plans moving forward. He has earned his spot on the roster and then some and could be a solid veteran piece within an inevitably evolving receiving corps.

Honorable mention: Pharaoh Brown

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