NFL MVP, award winners midway through the 2023 season

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks made Witherspoon the first cornerback off the board in last April’s draft, and the No. 5 overall pick has lived up to the billing thus far in his NFL career. Through six games this year, Witherspoon has been a shutdown corner while registering 33 total tackles. He has also been a weapon for Seattle to use on blitz packages with two sacks, and impressively took his lone interception of the season to the house for a pick-six in Week 4 against the New York Giants. 

The Illinois product only keeps getting better in what might be Pete Carroll’s next version of the “Legion of Boom” with the likes of Riq Woolen, Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs also in this secondary. If his progression continues while the Seahawks remain competitive or even at the top of the NFC West as they are right now, Witherspoon could definitely claim Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Others to consider: Jalen Carter, Will Anderson Jr., Joey Porter Jr.