MVP
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers led the league in passing touchdowns, passer rating, and yards per attempt. He also led the Packers to the first seed in the NFC, with a 13-3 record. Aaron Rodgers really does deserve this award due to the struggles he faced going into the season and throughout the year. The Packers drafted Rodgers’ successor instead of receiver help in the draft last year. As a result, Rodgers went into the season with a chip on his shoulder and showed the world that he’s not going anywhere. He turned tight end Robert Tonyan, who most people had never heard of before this year, into the league leader in receiving touchdowns at his position. Mahomes has weapons such as Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, but Aaron Rodgers still put up more touchdowns and almost as many passing yards as Mahomes with minimal receiving threats outside of Davante Adams. Winning the MVP award this season would put Rodgers in an elite group with Brett Farve, Tom Brady, Jim Brown, and Johnny Unitas, who each won the award three times.
Other Candidates
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
In the next few seasons, it seems as if there won’t ever be an MVP conversation without a healthy Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes still has a chance at taking home the MVP for the second time in his young NFL career. His 4,740 passing yards was second only behind Deshaun Watson and 38 passing touchdowns was fourth behind Brady, Wilson, and of course, Rodgers.
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
It’s hard to still call Allen a dark horse to win the MVP after his end of season performance to get his Bills to the second seed in the AFC. The Bills have put up at least 25 points in the last 8 games of the regular season. This included the Bills conquering Seattle and Pittsburgh, as well as their 56 point beatdown of Miami in week 17 behind Josh Allen and his favorite target, Stefon Diggs.
OPOY
Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry had 2,027 rushing yards this season. That should be all he needs to secure the award this season. Dalvin Cook recorded the second-highest amount of rushing yards on the year but that was still 500 yards less than Derrick Henry’s total. Over 2,000 rushing yards in one season is unheard of. He is only the 8th player in NFL history to achieve that milestone. Henry joined Hall of Famers such as Barry Sanders and Eric Dickerson on Sunday, with a fourth-quarter rush against the Texans boosting him over 2,000 yards. In fact, Henry is the only player in football history to record a 2,000-yard season in the high school, college, and NFL levels. Derrick Henry also led the NFL in rushing touchdowns, 20+ yard rushes, and 40+ yard rushes. Breaking off for big gains and breaking tackles is what makes Henry such a talented runner.
Other Candidates
Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans
Watson led the league in passing yards, was second in QB rating, third in completion percentage, and first in yards per attempt. Deshaun managed to lead the NFL’s number one passing game with his top target, Will Fuller, being suspended for 6 games as well.
Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
Davante Adams finished top 5 in all 3 major receiving categories this season. He was number 1 in touchdowns with 18, tied for 5th in yards, and tied for second in receptions. His ability to take over games in the red zone is remarkable and he definitely deserves to be considered for this award.
Stephon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
Stephon Diggs showed the world that he has what it takes to be an elite receiver in the NFL this year. Diggs led the league in receptions and reception yards by far. He helped Josh Allen and the Bills take over the AFC East by creating one of the scariest offenses in the league.
DPOY
T.J. Watt, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s a surprise to see anyone that is not named Aaron Donald win this award after what he’s done over the past few seasons. T.J. Watt has shown that he is capable of leading a defense this season. Watt leads the league in sacks, QB hits, and tackles for loss this year. Not to mention, Pittsburgh’s defense is number three in yards allowed per game. Watt also recorded an interception and defended seven passes this season, which is a lot for a pass rusher. He also helped the Steelers defense record a sack and every game this season. In fact, Pittsburgh has broken the record of consecutive games with a sack by recording one in each of their last 73 games. Watt is the leader of that ferocious Pittsburgh pass rush.
Other Candidates
Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
As mentioned above, Donald is always in the conversation for DPOY as he should be. He could easily take home the award this year even though he falls behind T.J. Watt in major categories. Donald wreaks havoc on opposing defenses week in and week out and is truly a game-changer. However, Donald faces the disadvantage of being double-teamed almost every play, but he still manages to put up insane numbers and impact the game.
Xavien Howard, CB, Miami Dolphins
Howard took the league by storm this season by leading the most dangerous secondary in the NFL. Xavien Howard led the league in interceptions and passes defended. He also forced a fumble on the year and recorded over 50 tackles. The Dolphins surprised everyone with a 10-6 record even with a struggling offense. The Dolphins forced a turnover in every game this season and that streak even goes into last season with a total of 22 straight games.
OROY
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
After a slow start to the year, Jefferson slid right into the Viking's lethal passing game and filled the shoes of Stephon Diggs, who was traded last offseason. Jefferson was tied for 15th in receptions and finished fourth in receiving yards, beating out stars such as Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and DK Metcalf. Not only did Jefferson put up great stats for the 2020 season, but he also recorded all-time rookie receiving records. Justin Jefferson broke Anquan Boldin’s record for most receiving yards in a single season by a rookie and passed Vikings’ legend Randy Moss on his way to do so. Jefferson recorded more receptions, yards, and touchdowns than Stephon Diggs did last season with the Vikings. This shows just how special Justin Jefferson really is, and his career is just getting started.
Runner Up
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Jefferson wasn’t the only rookie to break records this season. Justin Herbert broke the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie in just week 16 this season. He followed that up by breaking the record for total touchdowns by a rookie with 36. Herbert also came just 39 yards short of Andrew Luck’s passing yardage record for a rookie, which he likely would have beaten if he had been given the nod in week. The OROY race this season will be a close one, with two rookies breaking records at their respective positions.
Other Candidate
James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Even after Robinson’s remarkable rookie campaign, it simply won’t be enough to beat out Jefferson or Herbert. James Robinson’s name deserves to be mentioned simply for giving the Jaguars something to be proud of and build off of this season. Robinson was tied for the fifth- most rushing yards this season with 7 touchdowns to go along with it. Those are great numbers, especially for an undrafted rookie.
DROY
Chase Young, DE, Washington Football Team
This award isn’t much of a surprise. When Young was drafted second overall, he immediately became the favorite for DROY and was even put into the DPOY conversation. Chase Young was named a captain by the end of his rookie campaign and it was well deserved. He posted 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. To go along with that, Young also forced four fumbles on the year and recovered 3. He even returned a fumble for a touchdown showcasing his fantastic speed for his position. The second overall pick in the draft shows great explosiveness off the edge and has even had success as a QB spy this season.
Other Candidates
Jeremy Chinn, S, Carolina Panthers
Everyone has seen Jeremy Chinn’s two touchdowns on back to back plays this season. The Panthers’ rookie safety recorded two fumble recoveries for touchdowns in 18 seconds. Chinn also recorded a sack, an interception, and two forced fumbles on the season. He is an X factor on the defensive side of the ball for Carolina and does a little bit of everything.
Patrick Queen, MLB, Baltimore Ravens
It is very difficult to come into the NFL with high expectations and play the MLB position. Patrick Queen has done just that and he has done it for one of the best defenses in the NFL. Queen has been all over the field this season recording 106 tackles, 3 sacks, an interception, 2 forced fumbles and recoveries, and one fumble returned for a touchdown.
Comeback Player of the Year
Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team
This award is a lock for Alex Smith. People have even been saying that this award should be named after him. Everyone has heard about the horrifying injury Smith suffered a few years back, but this season Smith made his return to the field. Alex Smith has gone through so much on his road back to the game he loves and this season he helped get his team into the playoffs, which is just outstanding. As a starter this season, Smith has a 5-1 record with minimal receiving threats. Alex Smith will always be remembered for what he came back from and it was no easy task. No one else is even able to compete with Alex Smith for this award.
COY
Kevin Stefanski, Head Coach, Cleveland Browns
Finally, the Cleveland Browns playoff drought has come to an end. Stefanski is the 11th coach of the Browns since their last postseason appearance. The last coach to bring Cleveland to the playoffs was Bill Belichek. Stefanski helped lead this Browns team to an 11-5 record. The team knocked off the Steelers in week 17 which was for sure a tough task. Kevin Stefanski’s first year in Cleveland has been quite a success, and it’s not over just yet.
Other Candidates
Brian Flores, Head Coach, Miami Dolphins
Flores was able to lead his team to a 10-6 record as they barely missed the playoffs this year. The defensive specialist coach helped create one of the best defenses in the league by developing young corners such as Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. He also was able to show the world what rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can do, while giving veteran, Ryan Fitzpatrick a good amount of well- deserved playing time as well.
Comments