do you expect him to be in the national conversation at the end of the season for DPOY?
We'll see. The "national conversation" is largely an echo chamber based on box score stats and fantasy points.
If the defense holds up and doesn't relapse down the Capers rabbit hole, and Matthews registers double digit sacks to get the echo chamber's attention, it's possible some enlightened souls will pound the table regarding the intangibles that might get some reverberation.
What Matthews is doing is quite impressive, and quite unique beyond mere gimmickry. Taking on a job few marquee players would agree to is an intangible unselfishness that nust resonate in the locker room as it seems to resonate on the field. I am also aware that unselfishness gets you next to bupkis in post season award voting.
As far as Watt is concerned, regardless of what the advanced analytics might say, a 3-13 finish might provoke a "been there, done that" reaction.
For me this is just a point of conversation to highlight a player's outstanding play. If in the end I believe he put up a DPOY-caliber year, regardless of what the echo chamber might think, that's good enough for me.