2021 NFL Season Award Predictions

Who will win each NFL award following the inaugural 17-game regular season?

By Ryan Ford
Sports Reporter

The regular season has come to a close, and you know what that means… Playoffs! At least for 14 teams. Sorry, Indianapolis Colts fans.

In the meantime, here is a look at each regular-season award and who I believe is most deserving of taking them home.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja’Marr Chase, WR

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase likely clinched the award when he burned the Chiefs for 266 yards (a rookie record) on 11 catches with 3 TD’s in week 17.

Chase finishes the season with 1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, both the most among his fellow rookies. The former breaks Chad Johnson’s franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons, LB

This one is a gimme. Parsons was drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys as a linebacker, but through this season the impressive rookie did a little bit of everything.

He finishes the season with 84 tackles, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a PFF grade of 88.5, the highest among linebackers.

Rookie of the Year: Mac Jones, QB

While not flashy, Mac Jones did for the New England Patriots this year was no small feat. 

The 15th overall pick in this past draft, Jones was the only rookie quarterback to lead his team to the playoffs and led all rookies in passing touchdowns (22) while nearly breaking the rookie record for completion percentage (67.6%).

Offensive Player of the Year: Cooper Kupp, WR

Cooper Kupp had a historic season and nearly made history in the Los Angeles Rams’ last game of the season. Unfortunately, the pro-bowl wide receiver fell 18 yards short of breaking the all-time receiving yards record.

Still, Kupp led the NFL in yards (1,947), receptions (145), and touchdowns (16), becoming only the fourth wide receiver to lead the league in all three since 1970.

Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt, EDGE

5 weeks ago, you could’ve made a case for several different players to win this award. But in the last game of the season, T.J. Watt tied hall of famer Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record, notching 22.5 on the season. That should make this an easy call.

Perhaps even more impressive, Watt accomplished the feat by playing one fewer game than Strahan did in 2001 and helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers back to the playoffs.

Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers won the NFL MVP last season and followed that up with another insanely efficient year statistically. He threw 37 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions while leading the Green Bay Packers to the number one seed for the second year in a row.

Whether or not you agree with his stance on the vaccine, there is no doubt that Rodgers was the best quarterback in football this season. If he takes home the award, Rodgers will become only the second player in NFL history to win MVP four separate times.

Other award predictions: Coach of the Year (Matt LaFleur), Comeback Player of the Year (Dak Prescott).


Picture: 
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2022/01/04/tj-watt-4-sacks-browns-nfl-sack-record-michael-strahan/