In his “Overtime” column, TOUCHDOWN24 editor Daniel Wolf takes a look at some of the most exciting storylines of the past week every Tuesday morning. Today: Why a certain quarterback earned the MVP on the final straight of the season, Aaron Donald is still the best defender in the league, and Sean McDermott changed the franchise culture in Buffalo.
There is nothing that sports fans like to argue about as individual awards in a team sport. That applies to soccer and also fits American football. A week before the end of the regular season, I’ll hop on the hype train and give my opinion on the season awards this year.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young, DE, Washington Football Team
The second overall pick of the draft lived up to its early praise and was part of one of the league’s most underrated D-lines in Washington. The Stats Youngs (6.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles) are not as impressive as many would have liked, but he is the only defender in the league with at least 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and a touchdown. Young showed his versatility in running play, pass rush and even coverage against tight ends. He will be one of the stars of the league for many years.
Only one first-round rookie defender has a PFF grade above 65: Chase Young (80.6) pic.twitter.com/U7Xm1JGMjs
– PFF (@PFF) December 22, 2020
Honorable Mentions: Jeremy Chinn (DB, Panthers), Julian Blackmon (DB, Colts)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Quarterbacks usually pocket this award and I find it difficult to argue against Justin Herbert, who will probably lead the fortunes of the Chargers for many years. But what Justin Jefferson has achieved in his rookie season is unique. The 21-year-old only needs 111 receiving yards to break Anquan Boldin’s single-season record for rookies. As a reminder: The Vikings traded Stefon Diggs, one of the best receivers, in the summer and Jefferson closed the gap immediately. Only Davante Adams (91.3) has a better receiving grade than Jefferson (90.4) according to PFF.
Honorable Mention: Justin Herbert (QB, Los Angeles Chargers)
Coach of the Year: Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
The current trainer of the year will also win the award in 2020. The main reason: Josh Allen’s development. After Allen’s first two years in the league, there were reasonable doubts whether he was the long-term solution for the Bills. McDermott put his trust in Allen, brought him Diggs, a real No. 1 receiver – and is now reaping what he has sown. Hardly any team is better coached than Buffalo, hardly any team makes less crucial mistakes and puts their players in better positions to be successful. The bills will be expected in the playoffs.
“Sean McDermott doesn’t get the appreciation he deserves, but he should be heavily considered for Coach of the Year.”
? @NateBurleson pic.twitter.com/dTZC52jSzI
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 21, 2020
Honorable Mentions: Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Brian Flores (Dolphins)
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
Donald is one of only four Defenders to have reached the Pro Bowl in their first seven seasons since the NFL merged in 1970. Although he is doubly blocked for more than 70 percent of his pass rush snaps, the two-time DPOY (2017, 2018) again came to 13.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles this year. He is one of the few defenders for whom a team has to have an offensive plan – otherwise it’s over. His PFF Pass Rush Grade of 93.0 is more than 2 points better than TJ Watt’s, who is second on my list.
Honorable Mention: T.J. Watt (DE, Steelers)
Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
For me the division into an MVP and an OPOY is relatively pointless, so I simply award this category as “Best Non-Quarterback 2020”. Normally a receiver would always win this award because wideouts are simply more valuable to a team than running backs. Derrick Henry is the exception here and arguably more valuable to the Titans than any other skill player in the league. Still, it’s a close race for me between “King Henry” and Adams, but in the end Henry has just shifted back into gear over the past few weeks that no one else has in the league.
Most rushing yards since 2019:
? Derrick Henry – 3,218
? Dalvin Cook – 2,619
? Derrick Henry AFTER contact – 2,503
? Nick Chubb – 2,423 pic.twitter.com/wWXxefUmct– PFF (@PFF) December 24, 2020
Honorable Mentions: Davante Adams (WR, Packers), Justin Jefferson (WR, Vikings)
MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Patrick Mahomes is the best player in the league for me, but he has “bobbed around” enough with his Chiefs in the past few weeks that Rodgers overtook him in the MVP race. The two-time MVP has a better PFF than Mahomes (94.5 to 92.4), a better passer rating (119.4 to 108.2), more touchdowns (44 to 38) and fewer interceptions (5 to 6). Mahomes leads in the pass yards (4,740 to 4,059) and has the great advantage of only having lost one game to date. It’s a damned close race, but in the end Rodgers has just one game day to go.
2nd place: Patrick Mahomes (QB, Chiefs), 3rd place: Josh Allen (QB, Bills)
Aaron Rodgers red-zone stats:
? 32 Total TDs
? 0 INTs pic.twitter.com/Ba0bijvacy– PFF (@PFF) December 27, 2020
Do you agree with my award or have I criminally undervalued a player? Feel free to write me your opinion on our social channels. In the next issue of the magazine, I’ll take a closer look at the awards, just as a little preview.
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