It’s been a great season full of terrific individual performances, from familiar quarterbacks to fast-rising young stars. Lucky for us, there’s a whole another half of it left to be played with a lot of the major awards up for grabs.

Sporting News hands out some midseason hardware here, with eyes still focused on who we expect to stay ahead at the finish line:

 

Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills

He’s tied for second in receptions among rookies (38), he’s No. 12 at the position in yardage (590), and after two big weeks, he’s in a huge tie for fourth overall in receiving touchdowns (5).

The next five:

  1. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers 

  2. Derek Carr, QB, Raiders

  3. Branden Oliver, RB, Chargers 

  4. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Vikings 

  5. Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints

Preseason pick: Watkins

 

C.J. Mosley, ILB, Ravens

 When Baltimore took Mosely No. 17 overall in May, he was deemed a perfect fit to anchor its 3-4 defense. His NFL readiness has shown as expected, as the former Alabama slammer has 76 total tackles. He’s been an ace in pass coverage, too, with two interceptions and six passes defended. This was an easy call.

The next five: 

  1. Khalil Mack , LB, Raiders

  2. Anthony Barr, OLB, Vikings 

  3. Preston Brown, OLB, Bills 

  4. Kyle Fuller, CB, Bears 

  5. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

 Preseason pick: Mack

 

Kyle Orton, QB, Bills

 The NFL doesn’t give out something that’s equivalent to the NBA’s Sixth Man, but this category is more like the Super Bowl of supersubs. Orton has been a hero in Buffalo, clicking immediately with their receivers and burying EJ Manuel further into non-existence. They’re 3-1 with him at the helm, 5-3 overall. Enough said.

The next five: 

  1. Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens 

  2. Knile Davis, RB, Chiefs 

  3. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Bengals 

  4. Austin Davis, QB, Rams 

  5. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Vikings

 

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos

Another award we believe is worthwhile. This sounds like a consolation trophy for the untalented, but it’s anything but. Sanders has uncorked more untapped potential than anyone, improving as a route-runner, pass-catcher and red zone threat in his transition from Pittsburgh to Denver. It also helps he’s put in a ton of hard work to become a smoother, near-elite receiver with Peyton Manning throwing to him now.

The next five: 

  1. Le’Veon Bell, RB, Steelers 

  2. Golden Tate, WR, Lions 

  3. Andrew Hawkins, WR, Browns 

  4. Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins 

  5. Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos

 

Bruce Arians, Cardinals

Arians was the choice with his terrific interim work for the Colts two seasons ago. Now in the second year of his first full-time gig with the Cardinals, he’s killing it with his team’s 6-1 record to follow up 10-6 last season. When you enjoy playing for someone, it’s easier to win for him. Give him bonus style points, including that appropriate red Kangol.

The next five: 

  1. Jim Caldwell, Lions 

  2. Mike McCoy, Chargers 

  3. Jason Garrett, Cowboys 

  4. John Harbaugh, Ravens 

  5. Doug Marrone, Bills

 

 

 

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

Gronk healthy. Gronk scaring. Gronk scoring. Gronk spiking. If there were any doubts the Patriots’ party boy wasn’t throwing a bash on the field before Week 8, there shouldn’t be after he shoved three touchdowns in the Bears’ face. Gronk win.

The next five: 

  1. DeMarcus Ware, DE, Broncos 

  2. Von Miller, OLB, Broncos 

  3. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles 

  4. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons 

  5. Steve Smith Sr., WR, Ravens

 

J.J. Watt, DE, Texans

Watt is better than his 2012 and ‘13 self, earning that huge contract he just got. It helps Houston is better overall, but that its defense is still going through issues elsewhere and he still dominates is increible. He probably won’t sniff MVP because of all the great QBs, but he runs away with this.

The next five: 

  1. Von Miller, OLB, Broncos 

  2. DeAndre Levy, OLB, Lions 

  3. Justin Houston, OLB, Chiefs 

  4. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Panthers 

  5. Tashaun Gipson, S, Browns

Preseason pick: Earl Thomas, S, Seahawks

 

DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys

 We hesitate to believe Dallas will win a division title now, so we’re pulling back a little on Murray’s MVP campaign. He should still run away with this, barring injury. No one has been a consistent 100-yard machine like this, ever, and the best season in the history of running backs might happen. Done and done.

The next five: 

  1. Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos 

  2. Andrew Luck, QB, Colts 

  3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers 

  4. Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers 

  5. Arian Foster, RB, Texans

Preseason pick: Rodgers

 

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

We take the “most valuable” part of this honor seriously. What would the Packers be without Rodgers, given they have an inconsistent offensive line, limited running game, a terrible run defense and a now banged-up pass defense? Exactly. He is the best player in the NFL carrying a team that isn’t close to the best, but becomes just that because of him. That works.

The next five: 

  1. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys 

  2. Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos 

  3. Andrew Luck, QB, Colts 

  4. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers 

  5. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

Preseason pick: Rodgers

 

Denver Broncos over Green Bay Packers

We still think our preseason pick can happen, given our AFC champ was predicated on upsetting the Broncos in the title game and our NFC champ plays in a wide-open, top-heavy conference. That said, we still liked Denver as the easy top seed, and it has the best path to Arizona.

Speaking of Arizona, or Seattle, or San Francisco, or New Orleans, or Philadelphia, or Dallas, none of them have Rodgers at QB. Given the second-half schedule, the Packers have the best shot of having home field at Lambeau for the playoffs. This also is called “hedging our bets.”

Preseason pick: San Francisco 49ers over Indianapolis Colts