NFL Honors Predix: Comeback Player of the Year, MVP, and More

Courtesy of Reuters

Written by Sam DeCoste

Awards season is upon us, and it's time to crown this year's NFL superlatives. In a season defined by a public health crisis which faced adversity to simply keep playing, the stars showed out and entertained the masses like never before. Who will come away with the hardware? I'll tell you, right now.

Check back tomorrow for my Super Bowl prediction! 

Comeback Player of the Year

Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team

On-field performances aside, Alex Smith should win this award unanimously. Smith's journey back to the NFL has been nothing short of sensational. After suffering a compound fracture to his right leg in 2018, Smith underwent 17 surgeries to repair a fractured tibia, fibula, and to fight off a life-threatening bacterial infection. Smith was told he may never walk again, and his bacterial infection could kill him. But he persevered, cleared NFL protocol to practice, regained the starting job, and returned to the gridiron in Week 5, tying a knot to a Hollywood comeback story the NFL has never seen the likes of before. The league ought to consider renaming the award, the "Alex Smith Comeback Player of the Year Award." 

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers rookie phenomenon has already been enshrined as the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he is nonetheless the most deserving candidate. After a Chargers doctor punctured Tyrod Taylor's lungs and thrust the rookie into the fire in Week 2, former number six overall pick Justin Herbert proved to be everything the Chargers were hoping he could be and more. The Oregon product finished the 2020 regular season with 31 touchdown passes, a new NFL record for most touchdowns thrown by a rookie quarterback. The rookie finished with a 66.6 completion percentage and 4,336 passing yards as well. There is a bright future for the Los Angeles Chargers, and Herbert has the upside to become the next superstar quarterback of his generation.

Other candidates:

• Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
• James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Chase Young, DE, Washington Football Team

In just one year, Chase Young has cemented himself as one of the most fearsome pass rushers in the game, and the best defensive rookie in football. Young finished the season with 7.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 4 forced fumbles. He spearheaded a prolific defensive front which spearheaded Washington's NFC East winning campaign. On top of his production, Young was promoted as team captain in Week 16, as Washington was in the thick of a playoff push. The former number two overall pick in last year's draft will be a blue-chip prospect for Washington for years to come, and will be one of the NFL's prime dominant forces up front.

Other candidates:

• Antoine Winfield, Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens
• Jeremy Chin, S, Carolina Panthers

Coach of the Year

Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

In a hotly contested Coach of the Year category, Sean McDermott stands out amongst the pack. Under McDermott's tutelage, the Buffalo Bills clinched their first AFC East title since 1995, and marched all the way to the AFC Championship. The Bills have clinched 3 playoff berths in 4 years under McDermott, but the Bills took a massive leap into the Super Bowl conversation by finishing the season at 13-3, and winning a pair of playoff games en route to the final four. There are a handful of deserving candidates for this award, but McDermott transformed this team from a first-round playoff squad to a killing machine. 

Other candidates:

• Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins
• Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
• Ron Rivera, Washington Football Team

Defensive Player of the Year

Aaron Donald, DL, Los Angeles Rams

It may be repetitive, but Aaron Donald is leaving the voters no choice but to award him his third Defensive Player of the Year title. Donald is still the most dominant defensive player in the league, and is one of the most valuable players in football. Donald tallied 13.5 sacks this season, as well as 14 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles. He was named First Team All-Pro for the sixth consecutive season, and led the Rams number one ranked defense throughout the regular season and the playoffs. Donald is the most dominant defender in the game. He's just a wrecking ball. Breakout seasons from T.J. Watt as well as a pair of All-Pro shutdown corners, Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey, make this conversation a competitive one, but Donald is still the best there is on the defensive side of the ball. He will win his third DPOY in four years.

Other candidates:

• TJ Watt, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Xavien Howard, CB, Miami Dolphins
• Jalen Ramsey, CB, Los Angeles Rams

Offensive Player of the Year

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

No tight end has ever won the Offensive Player of the Year award, but Travis Kelce could buck that trend this year. The numbers speak for themselves for Kelce, who caught 105 balls for 1,416 yards and 11 touchdowns in the regular season. Only Stefon Diggs racked more receiving yards than Kelce this season, and he ranked fifth in catches and touchdown receptions. Kelce is now the single-season record holder for receiving yards, and became the first tight end in NFL history with multiple 100-catch sasons. After a stellar regular season, Kelce was voted in unanimously as First-Team All-Pro at the position. Kelce was the most dominant player at his position in 2020, and the most dominant offensive player in the NFL not named Aaron Rodgers.

Other candidates:

• Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
• Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
• Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
• Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Most Valuable Player

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

At age 37, Aaron Rodgers seals the MVP hat trick. Simply put, Rodgers played the best football of his career in 2020, with record-shattering numbers. Rodgers led the NFL in touchdown passes with 48 while tossing just 5 interceptions, completed 70.7 percent of his passes, and posted a 121.5 quarterback rating, which ranks second all-time for a single season. After a tumultuous offseason in which the Packers drafted a replacement for the 37 year old, Rodgers played the best individual season of his career with a less than stellar supporting cast around him. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen were surrounded by All-Pro caliber stars on the perimeter, while Rodgers was forced to settle for the likes of Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Robert Tonyan behind Davante Adams. Rodgers elevated his game to a different level in 2020, and he deserves to rack in his third MVP. 

Other candidates:

• Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
• Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs