2015 NFL awards: New York Giants edition

Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Owa Odighizuwa

Someone has to make up for the lack of production in the Giants’ pass rush and I believe it’s going to be Owa Odighizuwa. Odighizuwa is not the obvious choice, but now that Pierre-Paul is hurt, it seems more reasonable. Steve Spagnuolo is going to bring the heat no matter who’s on the defensive line.

Odighizuwa is going to reap all of the benefits of being a key piece in Spagnuolo’s defense. Many analysts ranked him as the biggest sleeper pick in the draft. If not for an injury plagued college career, Odighizuwa would have been drafted much higher than the third round.

Odighizuwa is going to receive a lot of competition from Landon Collins with this award, but he’s going to slightly edge him out. Odighizuwa will make more noticeable contributions and become a fan favorite. Odighizuwa will stick out from the first day he touches the field.

Recreating a once fearsome Big Blue pass rush is not going to be easy, but either way someone has got to chase the quarterback and make some plays. Odighizuwa is going to be that guy to come up huge for the Giants when they need it the most.

Next: Offensive Rookie Of The Year