Handing out the KC Chiefs 2021 mid-season awards

This season is not what K.C. Chiefs fans expected. Many had this Chiefs’ team primed to be either 8-0 to 6-2 at this point, but sadly, that hasn’t been the case as the Chiefs are 4-4, with tough losses to the Ravens, Bills, Chargers, and a blowout loss to the Titans.

There has been a multitude of disappointments, from poor execution on all sides/positions of the field to sloppy turnovers that have cost the Chiefs many games (i.e., Ravens). Of course, there is a motherlode of problems, but that sums it up pretty well.

While that holds true, there are players who have been stars as of late on both the offense and defense. With the midseason here, let’s hand out some midseason awards to players who have earned it:

Offensive MVP: Tyreek Hill, WR

Hill has been brighter than the sun through the midpoint of this peculiar 2021 season. On 90 targets, Hill has 64 receptions for 735 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also has five carries for 63 yards, with Hill’s longest run being 18 yards. He leads the Chiefs in almost every receiving stat aside from YPC (Pringle) and YAC (Kelce). He also ranks fifth in the league in receiving yards, and is tied for first in targets, first in receptions, and tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns.

Hill has been the Chiefs’ best offensive player, placing great stats across the board. His speed and acceleration kill DBs when they guard him. Even in the short areas, he can turn a catch from a three-yard play to an eight to ten-yard gain by juking everyone out of the defense and fighting for extra yardage. His route running is among the best, he creates amazing YAC after the catch using his athleticism, and while he has had a few drops this year, Hill has good hands overall.

Hill is primed to break a career-best of 87 catches (23 behind) and could very well break the Chiefs’ record for receptions in a season. It is now held by Travis Kelce back in 2018 (103).

Defensive MVP: Tyrann Mathieu, S

Hauling in the defensive MVP award would be the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu has been one of the best defensive performers this season, hauling two interceptions (leads the Chiefs), and has totaled 36 total tackles with four pass deflections and a tackle for a loss.

In coverage, Mathieu has allowed 12 completions on 17 targets thrown his direction for 163 total yards allowed. Furthermore, he hasn’t given up a touchdown all year and has allowed a 61.3 QB rating in his zone this season.

These past five weeks have been outstanding for Mathieu. He has only allowed 24 receiving yards through Weeks 4 to 8; he had a three-game streak where he didn’t allow a single yard against the Eagles, the Bills, and the Washington Football Team. This alone sets him apart from many safeties in this league, and if he continues this trend, he’ll be a First-Team All-Pro safety for the third year in a row.

OROTY: Creed Humphrey, C

Coming as a steal in the second round out of Oklahoma, Creed Humphrey is on a hot streak, being regarded as the best center in the NFL. Coming in with 583 offensive snaps played (first among centers), Humphrey has allowed just one sack all year. He has a 90.7 overall PFF grade, and what has been insane this year is Humphrey’s run-blocking abilities. Just look at him bully this poor Giants’ defender on one of Derrick Gore’s runs:

In run blocking, Humphrey gets to the second level well with quickness and authority, can snap into contact immediately, and uses his spectacular explosive strength to bully defenders no matter the size. Humphrey has shown great footwork in pass blocking and good balance, being able to stay on his with athleticism aiding him not to fall while in awkward positions. He has a great anchor as well, as he’s able to redirect pass rushers with good footwork.

The Humphrey train isn’t coming to a stop any time soon. If he continues at this pace, he could be a Pro Bowler or All-Pro in his rookie year. Maybe he can be another case of Quenton Nelson. Only time will tell, but it is starting to look like it.

DROTY: Nick Bolton, LB

Giving this to anyone else would make me look like a madman, so the obvious choice for this award is none other than Nick Bolton. Bolton has been an absolute stud for the Chiefs, racking up 66 total tackles, with 43 of them being solo tackles, nine tackles for a loss, and a QB hit. He ranks 12th in the league in total tackles and is tied fourth in the NFL in total TFL. He also leads all rookies and the Chiefs in the TFL category, too.

Bolton has earned high praises, not only from fans and analysts but coaches as well. Sure, he isn’t the best coverage LB right now, but hey, it could be ten times worse (looking at you, Niemann). Plus, he’s a rookie. He still has time to improve himself. We can’t expect a rookie to become the second coming of Derrick Brooks, who was highly regarded as one of the best coverages linebackers in NFL history.

His past two games have proved he’s the best tackler of the 2021 draft class. In his past two games, he’s amassed 26 total tackles, with 15 coming against the Titans and 11 against the Giants. On Monday, his name was called a ton because Bolton was there to make or assist on a tackle about one out of every four plays he was in on defense (43 snaps). He was also shown to be a great counter to Derrick Henry:

Prep for a 100+ tackle year from Bolton, as he’s coming for it faster than Usain Bolt.

Most Improved Player: Rashad Fenton, CB

Now, this award could’ve gone to a few players; however, I feel that Rashad Fenton has earned this. Fenton has 22 total tackles along with four pass deflections in seven games (five started). In coverage, while he has allowed a 72% completion percentage (18 completions on 25 targets), he has only allowed 155 receiving yards, an average of 8.6 yards per catch, and ZERO touchdowns this year. The most yards he has given up in a game this season was against the Bills, where he allowed 52 yards.

This was a significant improvement from Fenton’s performance last year. In his first eight games of last season, he allowed 289 yards receiving with two touchdowns, allowing three 60+ yard games in that span.

In my eyes, Fenton has developed into a starting corner, and his last three games have shown that. Last week against the Giants, only one target flew his way and fell for an incompletion. The week before that against the Titans, he allowed a measly 20 yards on three completions. Then, against Washington three weeks ago, he was targeted ten times, allowing six completion for only 37 yards! That is insane, no matter the CB you’re talking about. To make things sweeter, Fenton hasn’t missed a tackle all year. He’s definitely the Chiefs’ M.I.P this year!