MVP: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
The Packers selecting Jordan Love in the 1st round of last year's draft proved to be one hell of a motivational tool for Green Bay's longtime franchise quarterback. Rodgers worked his ass off to put together what very well could've been the most efficient, confident and downright dominant season of his illustrious career thus far-finishing the regular season with 4,299 passing YDS, 48 TD's (a career high) 5 INT's, a 70.7 CMP% (also a career high) and a 121.5 QBR.
Honorable Mentions: Josh Allen (Bills), Derrick Henry (Titans), Aaron Donald (Rams)
Offensive Player of the Year: Deshaun Watson (Texans)
If Watson wasn't on a 4 win team, he would've been battling Rodgers and Josh Allen for MVP. What he was able to do this season with a wretched offensive line, revolving door at wide receiver (Brandin Cooks-who only missed 1 game with injury-was the only WR to appear in more than 11 games this season), largely nonexistent running game (31st in the league) and a league-worst defense that frequently undercut his big time play was nothing short of astonishing. Watson posted an absurd 4,823 YDS, 70.2 CMP%, 33 TD's and 7 INT's (a career low) while only throwing 544 times in 16 games (10th most in the league). Any organization would be lucky to have such a dynamic talent as their quarterback and the Texans should be disgusted with themselves that they managed to rapidly piss away their relationship with the only great QB they've ever had.
Honorable Mentions: Derrick Henry (Titans), Davante Adams (Packers), Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald (Rams)
Even in an "off year", Donald was able to maintain his reign as the best defensive player in football. He continued to blow up plays in the backfield (14 TFL's, 45 total tackles), get after the quarterback (13.5 sacks/28 QB hits) and consistently open up holes for his teammates to get sacks/TFL (Leonard Floyd, Morgan Fox and Troy Reeder all had career best years) at an exceptionally high clip-which was essential in helping the Rams become the league's best defense in 2020.
Honorable Mentions: T.J. Watt (Steelers), Jaire Alexander (Packers), Bobby Wagner (Seahawks)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Justin Herbert (Chargers)
A freak incident involving a botched pregame pain injection that took veteran gap starter Tyrod Taylor out of the lineup with a punctured lung forced Herbert onto the field much earlier than expected (Week 2 to be exact) and the kid absolutely seized the opportunity. Shattering several rookie records including TD passes (31) and most consecutive games with multiple TD passes (7), Herbert's combination of poise under pressure, better than expected accuracy and ability to make difficult throws that rookie don't tend to make made him a much-needed bright spot on a Chargers team that was plagued by poor coaching, an embarrassing lack of discipline and some of the worst offensive line/special teams play you'll ever see on an NFL team. If new head coach Brandon Staley can clean up the stupid penalties they committed under Anthony Lynn and he can get even some semblance of protection from the group upfront, there's no reason to believe that Herbert isn't capable of becoming one of the best QB's in the league within the next few years.
Honorable Mentions: Justin Jefferson (Vikings), James Robinson (Jaguars), Jonathan Taylor (Colts)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young (Washington Football Team)
All of the hype surrounding Young coming into the league proved to be completely justified. The #2 overall pick in the draft commanded the type of attention typically reserved for the best edge talent in the league right away and still managed to consistently impress by flashing elite playmaking ability (42 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 10 TFL's, 12 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 passes defensed and a TD in just 14 full games) that gave Washington the type of multi-faceted wrecking ball they desperately needed up front.
Honorable Mentions: Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers), L'Jarius Sneed (Chiefs), Kamren Curl (Washington Football Team)
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stefanski (Browns)
While certified clown Freddie Kitchens wasn't exactly a tough act to follow, Stefanski impressed right away by bringing in a strong offensive system, overhauling the culture and establishing the strong, disciplined work ethic that evaded them during their ugly 2019 campaign that resulted in the Browns ending their league-leading 19-year playoff drought and more importantly, instilling a warranted sense of optimism for this team for the first time since they re-entered the league in 1999.
Honorable Mentions: Brian Flores (Dolphins), Sean McDermott (Bills), Ron Rivera (Washington Football Team)
Comeback Player of the Year: Jason Verrett (49ers)
In an ironic twist of fate, the oft-injured Verrett-who only played in 6 total games from 2016-19 after dealing with season-ending Achilles, ankle and a pair of knee ailments in consecutive seasons-stepped up big for a depleted 49ers squad by starting in the final 13 games of the year for them and reminded the world why he was once regarded as one of the best young corners in the league during his time with the Chargers by finishing the season grading out as a top 10 corner in the league according to Pro Football Focus.
Honorable Mentions: Aldon Smith (Cowboys), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Alex Smith (Washington Football Team)
All-Pro Teams
Quarterback
1st team: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
2nd team: Josh Allen (Bills)
Running Back
1st team: Derrick Henry (Titans), Dalvin Cook (Vikings)
2nd team: Alvin Kamara (Saints), Aaron Jones (Packers)
Wide Receiver
1st team: Davante Adams (Packers), Stefon Diggs (Bills)
2nd team: DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals), Tyreek Hill (Chiefs)
Tight End
1st team: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
2nd team: Darren Waller (Raiders)
Tackle
1st team: Garett Bolles (Broncos), Jack Conklin (Browns)
2nd team: David Bakhitiari (Packers), Ryan Ramcyzk (Saints)
Guard
1st team: Quenton Nelson (Colts), Wyatt Teller (Browns)
2nd team: Ali Marpet (Buccaneers), Shaq Mason (Patriots)
Center
1st team: Corey Linsley (Packers)
2nd team: Frank Ragnow (Lions)
Defensive End
1st team: Myles Garrett (Browns), Leonard Williams (Giants)
2nd team: Chase Young (Washington Football Team), Joey Bosa (Chargers)
Defensive Tackle
1st team: Aaron Donald (Rams), DeForest Buckner (Colts)
2nd team: Cameron Heyward (Steelers), Chris Jones (Chiefs)
Outside Linebacker
1st team: T.J. Watt (Steeler), Khalil Mack (Bears)
2nd team: Hasson Reddick (Cardinals), Za'Darius Smith (Packers)
Inside Linebacker
1st team: Bobby Wagner (Seahawks), Fred Warner (49ers)
2nd team: Lavonte David (Buccaneers), Blake Martinez (Giants)
Cornerback
1st team: Jaire Alexander (Packers), Xavien Howard (Dolphins)
2nd team: Jalen Ramsey (Rams), Darious Williams (Rams)
Safety
1st team: Jessie Bates (Bengals), John Johnson III (Rams)
2nd team: Justin Simmons (Broncos), Marcus Maye (Jets)
Kicker
1st team: Jason Sanders (Dolphins)
2nd team: Younghoe Koo (Falcons)
Punter
1st team: Jake Bailey (Patriots)
2nd team: Jack Fox (Lions)
Return Specialist
1st team: Cordarrelle Patterson (Bears), Gunner Olzewski (Patriots)
2nd team: Andre Roberts (Bills), Jakeem Grant (Dolphins)
Special Teamer:
1st team: Matthew Slater (Patriots)
2nd team: George Odum (Colts)
NFL Hall of Predictions (*indicates a lock)
Alan Faneca, guard (Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers/New York Jets/Arizona Cardinals)
Peyton Manning*, quarterback (Teams: Indianapolis Colts/Denver Broncos)
Richard Seymour, defensive end/tackle (Teams: New England Patriots/Oakland Raiders)
Zach Thomas, inside linebacker (Teams: Miami Dolphins/Dallas Cowboys)
Charles Woodson*, cornerback/safety (Teams: Oakland Raiders/Green Bay Packers)
Who I Would Voted for if I Had a Ballot:
Alan Faneca
Calvin Johnson, wide receiver (Team: Detroit Lions)
Peyton Manning
Zach Thomas
Charles Woodson
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