**
**Defensive Rookie
"1. DeMeco Ryans, middle linebacker, Houston; 2. Donte Whitner, strong safety, Buffalo; 3. Ernie Sims, outside linebacker, Detroit. Through five weeks, Ryans was the leading tackler in football; now he's tied for fourth. Instinctive and ferocious, Ryans might end up having more impact on the Texans than Mario Williams, though Williams has played much better the last couple of weeks."
TE Owen Daniels
DE Mario Williams
LB DeMeco Ryans
TE Owen Daniels
DE Mario Williams
LB DeMeco Ryans
WR Andre Johnson – "The big Texans receiver is having a breakout year."
Top defensive rookie
"1. DeMeco Ryans — A tackling machine, brilliant run stuffer, and playing middle linebacker, the first pick in the second round has become the leader of the Texans defense. My preseason choice for the award hasn't fallen to the 'Adam Schein curse' like J.J. Arrington."
"Most underrated players
- Andre Johnson — Quietly having an all-pro season. Did you know he's the leading receiver in the NFL at the half with 752 receiving yards?"
MVPs: WRs: Torry Holt, St. Louis; Andre Johnson, Houston; Darrell Jackson, Seattle
Top surprises: Wide receiver: Andre Johnson
Top Rookies: Tight end: Owen Daniels
WR Andre Johnson
Defensive rookie: LB DeMeco Ryans*– *Ryans has had an excellent season thus far, with 73 tackles. He's a mainstay for the Texans.
ESPN's Jeremy Green's Midseason Awards
Defensive rookie: LB DeMeco Ryans
Overlooked Story of the First Half:
Tom Curran: Mario Williams, the No. 1 overall pick, has 4.5 sacks for Houston and is outperforming preseason lovefest centerpiece Reggie Bush.
Jimmy Spencer: Andre Johnson, Texans. The Texan is quietly on pace for 130 receptions this season, which would be second-best in NFL history. **
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