Broncos (Somewhat) Mid-season Awards

Offensive Player of the Year: WR Demaryius Thomas

Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

His season started off rocky, but I don’t think he or Broncos fans wavered on him for one second. He proved us all right after he came off the bye week in week four. Since then, he’s caught at least seven passes for 100 yards in all six games. In that time span, he’s caught 52 balls for 861 yards and five touchdowns. All that in six games. That’s a good season for some receivers.

PFF rates DT as the 3rd best receiver in the NFL (11.6) behind only Jordy Nelson (my fantasy team thanks you) and Antonio Brown. He has also graded out as one of the better run blocking receivers in the league, coming in at 17th (1.1).

He’s one of the best receivers in the league. His size-speed combination is rare, only rivaled by Dez Bryant. There’s no surprise he’s had this kind of production and it should continue the rest of the season.

Honorable Mention: WR Emmanuel Sanders

I’ve been shocked at what I’ve seen by Sanders. Living in Cleveland, I’ve seen quite a few Steelers games. In all those games, I don’t remember Sanders being quite this good. And it’s not all due to Peyton Manning. Sanders impression on me goes far beyond the stat sheet.

Some of the plays he makes are just ridiculous. At 5’11, 186 lbs., he does some of the things you’d expect from a man that size; using his speed to beat defenders and catch deep balls. He has the quickness to separate on shorter routes. He’s made some improbable diving catches, maybe none better than the one for a touchdown last Sunday in Oakland. He does all that and more.

He’s arguably the toughest receiver on the team, showing many times the ability to absorb absolutely bone crushing hits and picking up more yards. His hands should be outlawed. He’s caught passes that I didn’t expect to be caught. Among receivers who have been targeted at least 50 times this season, he’s second in percentage of passes caught (74.7%). Of his 83 targets (8th most in the NFL), he’s dropped only one of them. Like Demaryius Thomas, I’m excited to see what else he has in store for the rest of the season. I think this guy is going to be money in the playoffs.