Jaguars 2022 midseason awards: Several players deserve recognition

No NFL team with a losing record, with the exception of maybe the Las Vegas Raiders, will tell you with a straight face that things are going fine. Take the Jacksonville Jaguars for example. Even though they’re coming off a comeback win in Week 9, coincidentally against the Raiders, they know they have their work cut out for them.

The Jaguars are 3-6 heading into Week 10 and have a slim chance of making the playoffs. But despite their losing record, they’ve had some individual performances that have stood out and many of their players deserve recognition, which is precisely what they’re going to get in this 2022 midseason awards.

Jaguars 2022 midseason awards, best rookie player: Travon Walker, OLB

The Jaguars entered the 2022 draft with 12 picks but after making a handful of trades, they ended with seven selections and they used five of them on defense. The two offensive players they chose were center Luke Fortner and running back Snoop Conner.

Fortner has been a starter from Day 1 but like most first-year players, he’s had his fair share of bumps and bruises. Meanwhile, Conner was a healthy scratch for most of the year and only suited up after the Jags traded James Robinson to the New York Jets.

On the other hand, many of the defensive players the Jags drafted have gotten lots of playing time. Travon Walker has logged 2.5 sacks and an interception this season while linebackers Chad Muma and Montaric Brown have seen their snap count increase in recent weeks. But the Jaguars’ rookie that has had the most impact is without a doubt linebacker Devin Lloyd, who’s registered six passes defensed and three picks.

Lloyd had one bad outing against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6 but other than that, he should be in the thick of the Defensive Rookie of the Year race. While he’s currently trailing New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, he’s got plenty of time to make ground.