NFL

2014 NFL Midseason Awards: Top 5 Comeback Player of the Year Candidates

Fresh Videos

By @Will_Gellman

Top 5 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Candidates

Rob Gronkowski Patriots
Getty Images

Now that the halfway point of the 2014 NFL season is here, it's never too early to predict awards. The race for comeback player of the year in particular is heating up by the game. There are many worthy candidates, whether they are coming off of injury or just a down year in 2013. Either way, these five players should be considered front-runners for the honor at the moment. Read on to find out who they are.

5. Julio Jones

Julio Jones Falcons
Getty Images

5. Julio Jones

Julio Jones Falcons
Getty Images

WR Julio Jones is a clear candidate for Comeback Player of The Year. After playing in just five games with 41 catches, 580 yards and two TDs in 2013, he has already played in eight games with 53 catches for 734 yards and three TDs this season. While the touchdowns haven't surfaced yet for Jones, he's still on pace for over 100 catches for 1,400+ yards and sixTDs this year. If he can stay healthy and at his current pace, he has a chance to win.

4. Jeremy Maclin

Jeremy Maclin Eagles
Getty Images

4. Jeremy Maclin

Jeremy Maclin Eagles
Getty Images

Another player with a solid chance to win the award is WR Jeremy Maclin. After missing the entire 2013 season with a knee injury, Maclin is having a monster season for the Eagles. In seven games, he currently has 39 catches for 632 yards and six TDs -- on pace for over 1,264 yards and 12 TDs. He has a legitimate chance to win, as long as he can stay healthy.

3. DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray Cowboys
Getty Images

3. DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray Cowboys
Getty Images

RB DeMarco Murray had a pretty good season in 2013 for the Dallas Cowboys. He had 1,121 yards and nine TDs in 14 games that season. In 2014, however, he is on a different level so far. In just seven games, he has already rushed for 913 yards and seven TDs. He is far and away the best RB in the NFL right now, and is definitely a solid candidate to win the Comeback Player of The Year award after missing two games last year with an MCL sprain.

2. Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski Patriots
Getty Images

2. Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski Patriots
Getty Images

TE Rob Gronkowski hurt his knee and was lost for the year after playing in just seve games in 2013. This season, after a slow start coming back from that injury, he is back to his old self now. With 558 yards and seven TDs in eight games this season, he has a chance to lead the NFL in TD receptions in 2014. He is Tom Brady's favorite target and his health is no longer a problem. If he can stay on the field, he is a major threat to win the award.

1. Tom Brady

Tom Brady Patriots
Getty Images

1. Tom Brady

Tom Brady Patriots
Getty Images

After a down year in 2013 in which he had 25 TDs on 11 INTs and a 60.5 completion percentage, Tom Brady has returned to form in 2014. He has passed for 18 TDs with just two INTs to go with 2,059 yards and a 64.4 completion percentage. He is currently on pace for 4,118 yards passing this year, 36 TDs and just four INTs, which is more than enough to win him Comeback Player of The Year honors.

Will Gellman is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com.  Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:
 Aaron Rodgers Is NFL MVP Through Week 7
 DeMarco Murray Is NFL MVP Through Week 7
 Baltimore Ravens LB C.J. Mosley A Lock For 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Share Tweet
Trending Now on