NFL Comeback Player Of The Year 2016: Top 10 Candidates

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Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

6. DE Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants

In an article I wrote for GMenHQ, I posited that JPP could be in the running for greatest comeback player of all-time if he were to notch double-digit sacks, lead a much-maligned defense to the top echelon of the league, and help his squad make the postseason for the first time in five years.

NJ.com’s James Kratch believes 2016 will be a career-defining season for the seven-year veteran who had the second best year of his career in 2014, starting all 16 games for the first time and notching 12.5 sacks. Before the July 4th fireworks accident that forced him to miss the first eight games of the 2015 season, JPP was on his way to a franchise tag of $14 – $15 million with many believing he’d return to his First-Team All-Pro numbers of 2011. Instead, Big Blue was able to sign Pierre-Paul to a one year deal worth $10 million, which was considered one of the best free agent signings of the 2016 offseason.

So, JPP won’t just be trying to prove his doubters wrong, he’ll be in a contract year and will be lining up with newly acquired free agents Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon in addition to Johnathan Hankins, a promising D-tackle whose 2015 season was also cut short by injury. Throw a revamped secondary and re-fortified linebacking corps, and JPP should get plenty of chances to make his case for Comeback Player of the Year.

Next: Will This Workhorse Ring True?

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