By any reasonable standard, the Miami Dolphins‘ first half of the 2023 season has been a success.
They’re 6-3 and a game clear of the field in the AFC East. Miami has the NFL‘s most explosive offense, and with Jalen Ramsey back, their defense is climbing fast.
So as we pause during the team’s bye week, let’s hand out some hardware for Miami Dolphins MVP, defensive player of the year, top assistant, and more at the midway point of the 2023 NFL season.
2023 Miami Dolphins Midseason Awards
Most Valuable Player | Tua Tagovailoa
After a nuclear start to the season, there’s been some understandable regression for Tua Tagovailoa.
But even after two rough games in the last three weeks, Tua still ranks first in passing (2,609 yards), touchdown passes (19), and passer rating (106.4). He’s also in the top 10 in yards per attempt (8.5), EPA per play (.192), CPOE (4.9), and QBR (65.3).
Tagovailoa will probably never get the credit he deserves and the hype of players like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, or Joe Burrow, but he’s been just as productive as all of them in 2023.
Offensive Player of the Year | Tyreek Hill
For a while, this is how we thought the NFL’s awards might play out — Tua as MVP, Tyreek Hill has OPOY.
And there’s no reason it still doesn’t, particularly if Hill reaches his goal of 2,000 receiving yards in 2023. He has averaged 119.6 yards per game in his nine. He needs 115.5 over his last eight to get to 2K.
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What’s more, Hill leads league-wide in receiving yards (1,076) and touchdowns (8).
We’d be remiss if we didn’t give an honorable mention nod to running back Raheem Mostert, who has 756 yards from scrimmage and 13 offensive touchdowns in 2023.
Defensive Player of the Year | Bradley Chubb
After a slow start to his Dolphins career, Bradley Chubb is making Chris Grier’s midseason 2022 gambit look better and better by the week.
The Dolphins last fall sent Chase Edmonds, the 29th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, and a 2024 fourth to Denver for Chubb and a 2025 fifth.
Grier then doubled down on Chubb, agreeing to pay him $22 million annually in a long-term extension.
Chubb this fall has been worth every penny. He ranks first on the team in forced fumbles (4), sacks (6), and tackles for loss (7). He’s also top three on the team in hurries (4), pressures (15), quarterback hits (10), and QB knockdowns (6).
Rookie of the Year | De’Von Achane
The Dolphins’ best rookie so far in 2023 isn’t even on the active roster. The only two that are? Tight end Julian Hill and cornerback Cam Smith, who have had largely forgettable seasons so far.
There was nothing forgettable about De’Von Achane, however, when he was healthy.
Achane, who is set to come off of injured reserve next week, still ranks second on the team in rushing yards (460) and rushing touchdowns (5) despite appearing in just four games as a pro.
Assistant of the Year | Butch Barry
Ten different Dolphins offensive linemen have seen the field this fall, a reflection of a nonstop barrage of injuries that began before the season did. But despite getting just 141 of a possible 578 snaps from Pro Bowler Terron Armstead, the Dolphins’ offensive line has shown great improvement under first-year coach Butch Barry.
The Dolphins’ offense in 2023 is second in QB hits (14) and yards before contact per rush (3.5), and third in pressures (49) and pressure rate (14.7%).
Barry has gotten improved play out of a number of his players (including the one who won the following award) and has done an excellent job mixing and matching.
And the most impressive thing Barry has done this season? Keep Tua healthy.
Comeback Player of the Year | Austin Jackson
A year after injuries cost him all but two games of his 2022 season, Austin Jackson is the only player to log every snap on offense or defense in 2023.
And Jackson has proven that, when healthy, he can be an excellent right tackle.
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In 578 snaps this year, he has committed three penalties and has allowed one sack.
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