Here are some Detroit Lions award winners through four weeks, and at their bye week.
The Detroit Lions are 3-1 at their Week 5. It's also fair to say they have yet to play a complete game/fully hit their stride in all facets.
The bye week is always an appropriate time to review how things have gone, and for the Lions it just happens that it's coming at the proverbial quarter-point of the season.
So let's dive into some awards for the Lions up to this point in the season: Most Valuable Player (MVP), Least Valuable Player (LVP), the Most Improved Player and Rookie of the Year.
Detroit Lions first quarter awards: Who is the MVP, LVP, Most Improved?
MVP: Aidan Hutchinson
This one is a no-brainer. The NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September leads the league in sacks, pressures, etc. as he takes his place among the best defensive players in the league until further notice. He should also already have a Defensive Player of the Week award for his 4.5-sack performance in Week 2, but as a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year it's easy to assume he'll rectify that before too long.
LVP: James Houston
This one is also too easy, Houston barely made the 53-man roster out of training camp. Then he was a healthy scratch for two of the first three games, and he only played three snaps in the game he did play. Week 4 presented an opportunity, and over 14 snaps against Seattle Houston was flagged three times (one penalty was declined), he was thrown to the ground by a Seahawks' offensive lineman on one play and he had the lowest PFF grade of all Lions' players.
Dan Campbell has consistently hinted that Houston is not seen as someone who can contribute. When Marcus Davenport's injury opened up an opportunity, he fell flat on his face. Houston may not make it to the next game still on the roster, and he arguably should be done as a Lion.
Most Improved: Jameson Williams
Here's another obvious one. So far, Williams has paid off all the offseason hype with a team-high 289 yards while averaging 22.2 yards per catch (second-best in the league). Through four weeks this season, he is only player in the NFL with at least three 50-plus yard receptions.
Opposing defenses have already adjusted to the impact of Williams' speed, but his route tree has expanded and he has become a reliable target for Jared Goff. There's still a long way to go, but Williams' Year 3 breakout seems to here in full.
Rookie of the Year: No one/Incomplete
Let's start with a rundown of the Lions' draft picks from April to provide the rationale for no one winning this award at the quarter-point of the season.
First-round cornerback Terrion Arnold has had issues with penalties to the point one Lions' analyst has called for him to be pulled out of the starting lineup. Being close in coverage and needing technique work is certainly better than what we saw from Lions' cornerbacks over the last couple seasons, but Arnold has work to do.
Second-round corner Ennis Rakestraw missed two games with a hamstring injury, and he has otherwise barely played (four defensive snaps, 19 special teams snaps).
Fourth-round pick Sione Vaki has mostly played special teams as the Lions No. 3/No. 4 running back. The Lions' other fourth-rounder, offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, is headed for a redshirt year and will be a weekly healthy scratch barring a substantial rash of injuries.
Sixth-round defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo has played 73 defensive snaps so far, with three total tackles and one quarterback hit. Guard Christian Mahogany, also a sixth-rounder and the Lions' final pick in this year's draft, is nearing a return from the NFI list after an illness kept him out of training camp.
Undrafted rookie Hogan Hatten won the Lions' long-snapping job in camp, and it's a good thing he has not been noticeable. Another UDFA, Loren Strickland has played three games solely on special teams.
So you have one of six draft picks that has played or done much thus far, good or bad, and two UDFAs who have roles on special teams. Perhaps if this is revisited later, a clear-cut team Rookie of the Year will reveal himself.
Best Newcomer: Incomplete
Among the Lions' offseason veteran offseason acquisitions (DJ Reader, Carlton Davis, Amik Robertson, Marcus Davenport) no one has really stood out much so far, though Davis' fumble recovery in Week 4 is a highlight play. Davenport is expected to be out for the season after a Week 3 elbow/triceps injury.
