Pats Pulpit’s New England Patriots Midseason Awards: Rookie of the (Half-)Year

The New England Patriots’ season is nine weeks old and the reigning world champions, who are currently 8-1, can finally enjoy a weekend off. This gives us here at Pats Pulpit time to take a look back and analyze the half-season that was — and hand out same awards along the way. Today, the trophy for Rookie of the (Half-)Year will be awarded to...

Bernd Buchmasser: LB Chase Winovich

While Jake Bailey, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski all contributed to the Patriots’ 8-1 start, Chase Winovich is the team’s rookie of the year halfway through the season. He has proven himself a productive rotational defender and also sees regular playing time in the kicking game. 4.5 sacks and a touchdown is certainly not a bad output for a third-round selection.

Oliver Thomas: LB Chase Winovich

Pick No. 77 overall out of Michigan has fulfilled a situational pass-rushing role off the Patriots’ edges to the tune of 4.5 sacks. Winovich has also carved out his presence on special teams, playing more than half the snaps in that department while recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Alec Shane: P Jake Bailey

Solid as a punter and has stepped in on kickoffs without missing a beat.

Slot Machine Player: LB Chase Winovich

I’m going Chase Winovich here. He’s not as isolated in what he does as Jake Bailey is, but he looks like an Energizer bunny plugged into a wall outlet. Moving fast and smoking guys.

Matthew Rewinski: LB Chase Winovich

An actual draft profile of Chase Winovich: “lack of physical traits and explosiveness as a rusher could limit his upside”. Depending on whose sack stats you like better, Wino’s got either 4.5 or 6 on the year, with 10 combined tackles, while barely playing a third of the Patriots’ defensive snaps and chipping in on roughly half the special teams snaps.

Pat Lane: LB Chase Winovich

How often do we see a rookie make an immediate impact and be part of a rotation? That’s exactly what Chase has done, and he’s putting up the numbers to back up his play too.

Who gets your vote for Rookie of the (Half-)Year? Let us know in the comments!