New York Giants: Early 2015 Awards Predictions

Imagine it's the end of the 2015 NFL season. Which New York Giants are worthy of individual awards?

In this slideshow, we'll try to predict the future by naming winners—plus additional nominees—for the following awards: Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player and Unsung Hero.

The seven players highlighted in this article need to have huge seasons for the Giants to make a return to the playoffs in 2015. After all, these honors will mean a lot more for a 12-4 Super Bowl contender than they will for a 4-12 squad in the running for the first pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

Be sure to share your selections for each award in the comments section below. 

Most Valuable Player

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Winner: Eli Manning, QB

There's no position in football more valuable than quarterback, and the Giants are lucky enough to have a pretty good one in Manning.

Manning has taken the team to extraordinary heights in the past. The Giants look to him as a leader, with 11 NFL seasons of experience and two Super Bowl MVP awards to show for it.

Now 34 years old, Manning is entering the twilight of his career and looking to sign what could be his final NFL contract. Although he has started the last 167 games for the Giants, that streak can't live on in perpetuity.

So, in light of that fact, Manning must display a heightened sense of urgency this season, especially after back-to-back losing campaigns. 

There's reason to believe he will.

If last season was about learning Ben McAdoo's offensive system, this season will be about mastering it. Manning had enough of a handle on it in 2014 to post career-best statistics. Another year immersed in McAdoo's playbook could help the veteran passer achieve unprecedented success.

Manning will take every necessary risk to win a game, making him a great guy to go to in the clutch. If his magic rubs off on the rest of the Giants in 2015, as it has multiple times in the past, Manning will play a pretty convincing team MVP.

Other Nominees: Odell Beckham Jr., WR; Jon Beason, MLB; Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

Offensive Player of the Year

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Winner: Odell Beckham Jr., WR

Eli Manning may be the Giants' Most Valuable Player, but Beckham is Manning's most valuable weapon.

As a rookie who was picked 12th in the draft, Beckham quickly became Manning's favorite target last season. And after catching 91 of Manning's passes in 2014—including one particularly ridiculous grab against the Dallas Cowboys on a Sunday night in November—the LSU product officially caught the attention of the national media.

Now, heading into his second NFL season, Beckham has morphed into a social media sensation. After showing off a variety of dunks, kicks, pitches and catches, it's getting to the point where it seems like there's nothing OBJ can't do.

He still needs to prove, however, that he can help the Giants win games.

As the team's No. 1 receiver, Beckham is going to be targeted a lot in 2015. He'll likely have every opportunity to replicate the eye-popping statistics he put up last season.

Even if Beckham's production dips, he can still have a tremendous impact on his offensive teammates by drawing double coverage. With multiple defenders devoted to Beckham, other receivers should have no trouble getting open, and the Giants should be able to run the ball with ease.

Beckham, only 22 years old, is by far the most dynamic player on New York's roster right now, making him a near-shoo-in for 2015 Offensive Player of the Year.

Other Nominees: Eli Manning, QB; Rashad Jennings, RB; Victor Cruz, WR

Defensive Player of the Year

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

Winner: Johnathan Hankins, DT

The Giants are undergoing a defensive transition, and Hankins might be the only sure thing they've got on that side of the ball.

Hankins was the team's most consistent defender last season—his first as a full-time starter. He was expected to be a stout run defender at 6'2" and 320 pounds, but he was also a surprise contributor as a pass-rusher with seven sacks in 2014 (second-highest total on team).

With Steve Spagnuolo implementing a new defensive scheme this season, he'll likely build around Hankins up front.

For Hankins to serve as an effective anchor, he'll need to further establish himself as an every-down defensive tackle. He must slice through the line to make plays in the backfield just as effectively as he eats space by occupying blockers.

It's a taxing job to ask of a humongous man, but Hankins should be up for the challenge. His growth from 2013 to 2014 was exponential. If he continues at this rate, he could be considered among the best players at his position by the end of his third season in the league.

Only 23 years old, Hankins is quickly becoming a major peg in the Giants' defensive plans. Considering the consistency and the potential to be disruptive he has already displayed, it's easy to imagine Hankins stepping up as the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2015.

Other Nominees: Jon Beason, LB; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB; Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

Comeback Player of the Year

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Winner: Victor Cruz, WR

The Giants are counting on Cruz to bounce back from a devastating knee injury he suffered before the midway point of last season.

Cruz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee while going up for a catch in the end zone against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6, ending his 2014 campaign prematurely and putting his future availability in jeopardy. He said in a recent radio interview that he aims to be ready for the start of the 2015 season (h/t Pro Football Talk).

It will take a lot of hard work for Cruz to return to the field that soon. And even if he is fully healthy for Week 1, there's no telling whether he'll be as effective as he once was.

Back in 2011, Cruz racked up a team-record 1,536 yards on 82 receptions. Although his statistics have been somewhat stifled since then, there's no doubting the impact he has working out of the slot. When healthy, he is as sure-handed and fleet-footed as receivers come.

At 28 years old, some might believe Cruz is too old to complete a full comeback from such a serious injury. Those doubters, however, are underestimating the work ethic of a former undrafted rookie. Cruz had to break into the league. It'll take more than one blown knee to take him out.

Even if Cruz fails to replicate his stellar production from New York's most recent Super Bowl season, he can still serve the passing game as a valuable role player. Playing in all 16 games would be enough for him to warrant a Comeback Player of the Year honor.

Other Nominees: Jon Beason, LB; Geoff Schwartz, G; Prince Amukamara, CB

Rookie of the Year

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Winner: Landon Collins, S

The Giants went hunting for an impact rookie and found one in Collins, as they traded up to the first pick in the second round in this year's draft to snag him.

With a pressing need at safety, the Giants selected Collins so he could be an immediate starter. Although the 21-year-old lacks experience, he has instincts and raw talent that are not easily duplicated. It's possible he has an All-Pro ceiling.

Collins brought electricity to Alabama's defensive backfield by racking up 103 tackles and picking off three passes last season. The Giants would be lucky if he turned out to be a similar player as a professional.

At 6'0" and 225 pounds, Collins is like a heat-seeking missile coming out of the secondary. He'll sniff out a run and stuff a ball-carrier close to the line of scrimmage. Likewise, he'll recognize an underneath pattern and make an open-field stop on a pass-catcher short of the sticks.

The only questions about Collins' play concern his ability in coverage. An oversized, overly aggressive safety may have a tendency to bite on fakes and get burned. There will be rookie mistakes, and you can bet opponents will test him to see how many he'll make.

As long as Collins creates turnovers, contributes to third-down stops and delivers bone-crushing blows, the Giants will put up with the first-year headaches that are sure to occur. Because he's slated to play such an important role right away, Collins is New York's most likely candidate to win Rookie of the Year in 2015.

Other Nominees: Ereck Flowers, OT; Owa Odighizuwa, DE

Most Improved Player

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Winner: Weston Richburg, C

A much-needed shift could work wonders for Richburg, who's moving back to his natural center position in his second NFL season.

Richburg was the highest-drafted center in 2014 (second round, 43rd pick) but spent his entire rookie season at left guard. Although he did enjoy some quality performances, his first professional season was marred by a benching in Week 12. It was the only game he did not start.

After a year to get situated in the offense, Richburg should have it down by now. The Giants are counting on him to be fluent in the system's terminology, as he'll be in charge of more calls, shifts and adjustments at his new position in 2015.

Richburg's main objective at center should be to get the entire offensive line to work in concert. If he successfully accelerates the cohesion of New York's revamped unit, blocking will be better when the team runs the ball and protection will be less porous when the offense elects to pass.

A 6'3", 298-pound 24-year-old, Richburg is a solid, young gear in a growing offense. If he shows the necessary signs of growth this season, he can help turn a positional unit of uncertainty into one of stability.

Since Richburg has a valuable year of experience at left guard and is now moving back to the position he was originally expected to play, there's a good chance he'll be the Giants' Most Improved Player of 2015.

Other Nominees: Jay Bromley, DT; Damontre Moore, DE; Andre Williams, RB

Unsung Hero

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Winner: Shane Vereen, RB

The Giants may have found a secret weapon in free agency if Vereen turns out to be the X-factor he was with the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

Vereen won't be the team's biggest scoring threat, nor will he be particularly likely to rip off big gains. Instead, he'll be most valuable on manageable third-down plays. In a specialized role such as that one, he can help keep the chains moving by picking up the blitz, slipping out of the backfield for a pass or taking an unexpected handoff on a draw play.

For Vereen to thrive as the Giants' third-down back, he'll need to showcase his trademark versatility. Through four seasons with the Patriots, the former second-round pick was more productive as a pass-catcher (1,023 receiving yards) than he was as a ball-carrier (907 rushing yards).

Because the Giants have several other backs and receivers slated to play larger roles, Vereen could become a background contributor. He's unlikely to dominate statistically with a limited snap count, so his impact may end up being sporadic—not defined by yards and scores.

However, if Vereen can contribute just one or two game-changing plays per game, he will finish the season a leading candidate for New York's Unsung Hero distinction.

Other Nominees: Marshall Newhouse, OT; Dwayne Harris, WR/RS; Devon Kennard, LB

Kevin Boilard writes about the New York Giants at Bleacher Report.