2023 End of the Year Awards for Aggies in the NFL
With the NFL regular season coming to an end, it seemed like a great time to hand out awards for the Texas A&M Aggies currently in the NFL. In 2023, there were about 30 Aggies on an NFL roster in some way or another, in addition to a handful employed on NFL coaching staffs prepping for the upcoming off-season and playoffs.
We’ll be handing out 5 awards: Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP, and Coach of the Year. For the current players, my criteria are that they spent 2 full non-redshirt (regular) seasons playing, or they ended their playing career at Texas A&M. Kyler Murray would not be eligible. Still, Kyle Allen and Trevor Knight would be eligible.
This year was a little more challenging in some areas than others, but we’ll name a winner and a runner-up no matter how far behind they were.
Drum roll, please…
Rookie of the Year - De'Von Achane - Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane hands down was the best rookie to come out of Aggie land this year. Had he not been injured, a case could be made that he would have been in the running for NFL Rookie of the Year. He went over 100 scrimmage yards five times and caught at least one pass in every game he played in this season. One of the most mind boggling stats from this rookie campaign, pointed out by Dov Kleiman, was his league leading 7.8 yards a carry. That’s only part of it. His average is also 1st all-time by a running back in the Super Bowl Era.
2023 Stats (11 games played)
PFF Overall Grade: 92.4
Carries: 103
Yards: 800
Average: 7.8
Touchdowns: 8
Receptions: 27
Yards: 197
Touchdowns: 3
Runner Up – Mike Evans
Defensive Player of the Year - Justin Madubuike - Baltimore Ravens
Justin Madubuike has seen a steady rise in production since he entered the league in 2020. Each year as his playing time increased so did his sack totals, but in 2023 was his coming out party. Dominating the middle of the line he put up 13 sacks and tied the NFL record for the most consecutive games with at least an .5 sack at 11. His stellar season earned him a 2nd team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection as he looks to be the anchor in the middle for the Ravens in the playoffs.
2023 Stats (17 games played)
PFF Overall Grade: 75.1
Total Tackles: 56
Sacks: 13
Tackles for Loss: 12
QB Hits: 33
Forced Fumbles: 1
Runner Up – Myles Garrett
Offensive Player of the Year - Mike Evans - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans continues to improve his Hall of Fame resume rounding out his 10th season with a with a 2nd team All-Pro nod. His 10th straight 1,000 yards season also earned him his 5th Pro Bowl selection and he shows no signs of slowing down. The lifetime Buccaneer will be a free agent after the playoffs conclude, but until that time comes will look to add another Super Bowl birth to his long list of accomplishments.
2023 Stats (17 games played)
PFF Overall Grade: 81.5
Receptions: 79
Yards: 1255
Average: 15.9
Touchdowns: 13
MVP - Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett is routinely heralded as one of the top defenders in the NFL. Sometimes it’s not always about the numbers, but the impact as well. Garrett is so disruptive he commands double teams on a regular basis, but still holds a 18.3% pressure rate with a 27.5%-win rate. The league acknowledged his dominance with a 1st team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. He’ll lead the Browns into the playoff as they get ready to face the Houston Texans.
2023 Stats (16 games played):
PFF Overall Grade: 93.6
Total Tackles: 42
Sacks: 14
Tackles for Loss: 17
QB Hits: 30
Forced Fumbles: 4
Runner Up – Justin Madubuike
Coach of the Year - Dan Campbell
Dan Campbell is known as an aggressive coach and he’s bought a winning culture back to the Detroit Lions. After an impressive showing last year, Coach Campbell followed that up by leading the Lions to their first division title in 30 years. He’ll have a chance to give the fans in Detroit more to cheer about if they can get past a hot Los Angelas Rams team on Sunday night.
PFF Overall Team Rating: 5th
2023 Record: 12-5
NFC North Champions
NFC 3rd Seed
