2025 Saints Midseason Awards: MVP, Breakout, Rookies of the Year

59 minutes ago7 min read

At the midway point of a grueling 2025 campaign, the New Orleans Saints find themselves navigating the treacherous waters of a 2-8 record, a position that demands a forensic examination to unearth the few gleaming positives. Handing out midseason awards for a team in such disarray is less a celebration and more a necessary exercise in recognizing the individual warriors still fighting in the trenches, the players whose personal excellence shines through the collective gloom.In this spirit, Demario Davis emerges as the undeniable Most Valuable Player, a testament to ageless defiance. How many linebackers, on the cusp of their 37th birthday, not only lead their defense in snaps with 645 but also sit third in the entire NFL with 91 total tackles? This isn't a veteran merely padding stats in cleanup duty; Davis is making impactful stops at an average depth of 3.6 yards on rushing plays, a metric that places him among the most efficient run-stuffing linebackers in pro football. He is the defensive heartbeat, a leader whose production defies the typical athletic lifecycle, much like a Ray Lewis in his later years, where football IQ and positioning overcome any fractional loss of pure speed.On the offensive side, the title of Offensive Player of the Year logically falls to wide receiver Chris Olave. After a 2024 season marred by concussions that limited him to just eight games, Olave has mounted a resounding comeback.His recent 104-yard performance in Charlotte—the same stadium where he was carted off a year prior—was symbolic of his resilience. While Alvin Kamara trails him by a mere 19 scrimmage yards, Olave’s four touchdowns and his re-established role as a deep threat, reignited by the switch to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, make him the clear-cut No.1 option and the engine of an otherwise sputtering offense. The most transformative figure, however, might be on the defensive line.Chase Young, though only active for five games, has been a revelation and our pick for Defensive Player of the Year. Since returning from injury, he has been a consistent disruptive force, amassing 3 sacks, 6 QB hits, and 15 pressures.His pass rush win rate, ranking 10th league-wide according to Pro Football Focus, indicates he’s playing at a top-tier level, finally delivering on the promise of his draft pedigree and providing a strong return on the Saints' recent contract extension. In the breakout category, second-year undrafted free agent Isaiah Stalbird embodies the underdog story franchises crave.A converted college safety from South Dakota State, Stalbird now leads the team in special teams snaps (208) and tackles (7), while gradually earning a role on defense. His versatility and athleticism have made him a valuable Swiss Army knife, a player outperforming his draft status in a way that recalls the rise of other overlooked prospects who carved out long NFL careers.For Most Improved, tight end Juwan Johnson, despite his occasional frustrations, is averaging career highs in receptions (4. 3) and yards (49.1) per game, already matching his 2024 touchdown total. His 71.7% catch rate demonstrates a new level of reliability, suggesting a player finally syncing his physical tools with consistent production. The Comeback Player of the Year award is a tight race, but it goes to Taysom Hill.Returning from a devastating torn ACL with multi-ligament damage at age 35 is a Herculean feat. While he may not possess the same explosive athleticism, his mere presence on the field, contributing and mentoring younger players, is an inspirational narrative in a season short on them.The rookie classes have also provided crucial building blocks. On offense, first-round left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.is the clear Offensive Rookie of the Year. Thrown into the fire against elite pass rushers like the Bosa brothers and Jared Verse, he has surrendered only three sacks in ten starts, looking every bit the franchise cornerstone you draft in the top ten.His pairing with 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga, who has admirably handled a switch back to right tackle, gives New Orleans a potentially elite tackle duo for the next decade. Defensively, the Rookie of the Year honor is a compelling debate between safety Jonas Sanker and cornerback Quincy Riley.While Riley has been exceptional in his recent starts, Sanker gets the nod for his Week 1 insertion into the lineup and sustained performance. His instincts in run defense and rapidly improving coverage skills, despite some tackling clean-up needed, showcase a player with the range and football intelligence to be a long-term fixture in the secondary. These individual accolades, while bright spots, ultimately highlight the stark disparity between individual effort and team success in New Orleans this season, setting up a fascinating second half to see which of these players can sustain their excellence and perhaps help steer the ship toward calmer waters.

#Saints

#midseason awards

#Demario Davis

#Chris Olave

#Chase Young

#Kelvin Banks Jr

#featured

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