NFL Comeback Player Of The Year 2016: Top 10 Candidates
By Neal Lynch
2. QB Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
Luck hadn’t missed a start in the first three years of his career and made the Pro Bowl in each of those seasons. In 2014, Andrew threw for the third most passing yards in the league, but his 2015 season stats were hampered by injuries.
Over seven starts, Luck went 2-5 while registering the highest interception percentage of his already prolific track record in the NFL. The Stanford product missed two games early on due to a shoulder injury and would later suffer a lacerated kidney and a partially torn ab after an upset win over the undefeated Denver Broncos.
NFL.com columnist Jeffri Chadiha noted:
"“ In a division that will be as dramatically improved as the AFC South, Luck’s performance obviously will be the biggest determinant of whether the Colts return to the playoffs.”"
Pro Football Focus ranked Luck as the third most likely Comeback Player of the Year, writing:
"“Luck has been one of the most-pressured quarterbacks in the NFL since entering the league in 2012 as a result of poor offensive line play. In terms of pass-blocking efficiency, the Colts ranked dead last (32nd) in 2012, 29th in 2013, 21st in 2014, and 23rd in 2015. To help the cause, the Colts selected Alabama center Ryan Kelly with the 18th overall pick in the 2016 draft. Kelly figures to be a significant upgrade at the position and a day-one starter (he surrendered no sacks and allowed just five hits and eight hurries the last two years in college).”"
NFL.com writer Chris Wesserling believes Luck is the top Comeback candidate, stating:
"“This is the same quarterback who led the NFL with 40 touchdown passes in 2014, carried a flawed team to the AFC Championship Game and had grizzled veterans such as Frank Gore and Andre Johnson raving that he was the best in the league as a “football god” with coach-like powers of perception…there’s no reason to believe Luck won’t recapture the form that led to a No. 7 ranking in the 2015 edition of NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players.”"
Another appearance in the Conference Championship would somewhat bolster Luck’s chances for Comeback Player of the Year, but a Super Bowl run could give him the edge.
Next: Ring Around the Collar