NFL Midseason Awards: Giants' Arvell Reese Leads Defensive Rookie Race as MVP Picks Take Shape

Giants rookie linebacker Arvell Reese, the fifth overall pick from Ohio State, became the even-money favorite for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year at DraftKings Sportsbook heading into Week 10. He recorded 12 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in New York's 19-11 win over the Eagles on Sunday. Reese opened at +850, is second in the league in solo tackles and leads the Giants in total tackles by 18. The Giants moved into first place in the NFC East. Jets edge rusher David Bailey, the No. 2 pick from Texas Tech, is next at +250 with 7.5 sacks through eight games, the most among rookies and tied for fourth in the NFL. Six of the last 10 winners had at least seven sacks. Midseason picks through Week 9 also name Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow an MVP frontrunner, praise Bills quarterback Josh Allen (Buffalo is 7-1, atop the AFC), and note Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has 50% of Seattle's receiving yards, the highest wideout share in 10 years.

The New York Post, the right-leaning outlet, covers only the Defensive Rookie of the Year race, framed as a betting guide. It leads with Reese's odds and Sunday's performance, then argues Bailey is the value choice because voters have favored pass rushers and sack totals. The Guardian US, on the left, takes a broad awards-column approach. It leads with Allen against Burrow for MVP, with Allen's weaker supporting cast as its argument. It adds Smith-Njigba's yardage share and praise for Tom Brady's broadcasting, including a joke about Drake Maye and the Patriots, and leaves out odds and the rookie race in the excerpt shown. Both agree Burrow, Smith-Njigba and the Reese-Bailey question matter at midseason, but they differ in framing: statistics and prices on the right, personalities and entertainment on the left. ESPN's Barnwell similarly ranks contenders for eight awards.