Buffalo Bills 2026 Midseason Awards and Superlatives

With the trade deadline in the rearview, the Buffalo Bills officially enter the second half of their 2026 campaign this Sunday against the New York Jets. 

Buffalo sits atop the AFC at 7-1, but the record masks a turbulent first two months. 

Before the stretch run begins, here are my midseason awards and superlatives.

The Main Awards

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Greg Rousseau

MVP: QB Josh Allen

Impossible to overthink this one and justify anyone else. Allen is heavily in contention for his second league MVP award. He's consistently a hero with his arm and his legs and is the anchor of the league's highest-scoring offense. 

Offensive Player of the Half-Year: RB James Cook

This is based on the idea that Allen can't win both. Cook's 814 yards in eight games trail only Kenneth Walker III in the conference. He leads all AFC backs in touchdown and first-down runs. It appears he's gotten past a ball-security issue, as he remains the tone-setter of this high-powered offense.

Defensive Player of the Half-Year: Edge Greg Rousseau

The 26-year-old former first-round pick has taken off under Jim Leonhard. He's the only player in football with at least eight sacks and three forced fumbles. The edge rusher has become a legit contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Rookie of the Half-Year: CB Davison Igbinosun

It didn't take long for the second-round selection to steal Maxwell Hairston's starting job opposite Christian Benford. He's still prone to lapses and penalties, but is improving rapidly. The staff already trusts him to go one-on-one with guys like Justin Jefferson.  

Comeback Player of the Half-Year: K Tyler Bass

After missing the entire 2025 season due to hip and groin issues, Bass has gone a perfect 19-for-19 thus far in 2026. 

The Made-Up Awards

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Deone Walker

Most Improved Player: DL Deone Walker

The second-year Kentucky product certainly upped his game as his rookie season progressed, but he's taken it to a completely different level in 2026. Walker is a terror as a pass-rusher and overall game disruptor, even if he still disappears at times. 

Most Underrated Player: WR Khalil Shakir

Shakir, who has a team-best 31 receptions, always seems to come through when really needed. He edges out fellow wideout Keon Coleman, as both are overshadowed by Allen, Cook and DJ Moore at the offensive skill positions but are heavily relied on. 

Best Backup Award: RB Ty Johnson

Tylan Grable and Greg Gaines are strong candidates here, but Johnson has 210 receiving yards on just 97 snaps. He's averaging a ridiculous 12.4 yards per target, which leads all qualified backs by a margin of more than four yards. 

Trench Warrior of the Half-Year: C Connor McGovern

Dion Dawkins has lacked consistency, Alec Anderson has been adjusting to a starting role, while Spencer Brown has been dealing with a balky back. Meanwhile, the veteran center and the guard to his right, O'Cyrus Torrence, have been mauling from the inside all year long. 

The Sad Awards

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Dalton Kincaid

Most Disappointing Player: CB Maxwell Hairston

But only because C.J. Gardner-Johnson is off the roster and thus ineligible. Regardless, Hairston has fallen out of favor fast and hard as a sophomore first-round pick. The lowest-graded defender on the roster at Pro Football Focus has averaged just 16 snaps per game since losing his starting job after Week 4. 

Least Trustworthy Starter: DL Ed Oliver

After missing all but three games in 2025, the sometimes-awesome, sometimes-unremarkable Oliver has already missed three more thus far in 2026. It appears the team knows it is going to need to rely more on DeWayne Carter, Landon Jackson or both as the season wears on.

The "What Are We Paying For?" Award: WR Joshua Palmer

Oliver and Bradley Chubb are strong candidates here, too, but at least they are basically every-down guys when healthy. Even before a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve, the veteran Palmer had caught just four of the 12 passes thrown his way while dropping three. All while continuing to enjoy his three-year, $30 million contract. 

The Hero-or-Zero Award: TE Dalton Kincaid

It's funny: Kincaid is averaging 53.6 yards per game, but he has yet to record a game between 40 and 80 yards. He's had three massive performances with at least 13 fantasy points. He's had five anonymous showings with fewer than four fantasy points. Nothing in between. 

The Penalty Magnet: TE Jackson Hawes

The second-year blocking specialist has been on the field for 42 percent of Buffalo's offensive snaps but is tied for the team lead with five penalties. It's been a disappointing sophomore campaign overall. It all starts with the yellow flags.

The Big-Picture Awards

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

DJ Moore

Best Offseason Addition: WR DJ Moore

Moore hasn't been healthy much this season, but when he's on the field, his presence has changed how defenses handle this Buffalo attack. He already has a few elite performances under his belt despite a nagging shoulder injury. He's dropped zero passes on 32 targets. 

Best Position Group: Defensive Line

We've already talked about Walker, and Oliver's ceiling is undeniable when he's healthy. T.J. Sanders was one of the best players on the field in a critical prime-time victory over the Rams. Gaines, Carter and Landon Jackson have all had their share of nice moments supporting the primary cogs. 

Most Underrated Position Group: Cornerback

Christian Benford has recovered from a poor start to become one of the steadiest cover guys in the league over the last few weeks. It's a remarkable turnaround, just as Igbinosun has flourished with his aggressive style and Dee Alford has found his footing. Hairston is an afterthought, but one hell of a No. 4 corner. Don't forget about Tre'Davious White, either.

Top Second-Half Breakout Candidate: LB Dorian Williams

It's already happening. The momentum is building for the 25-year-old, who started his fourth season slowly but has now become a versatile piece in the middle of an emerging young defense.