2021 NFL Awards: Mahomes Returns, New Faces Prevail

At the end of every NFL season, the top performing players are rewarded for their success. The major awards, such as MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, are announced. Sitting here in July, it is always fun to look ahead and project who the top performing players will be. Here are my predictions for the 2021 NFL Awards winners:

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Since becoming a full time starter in 2018, Mahomes has dominated the league. In that time, he was won one MVP and one Super Bowl before turning 26. He has 38 wins to just 8 losses. Entering 2021, Mahomes might have the best supporting cast he has ever had.

As we saw in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs offensive line was severely lacking last year. Injuries played a part, but the overall talent level wasn’t where it needed to be. This offseason, the team brought in Orlando Brown Jr, Joe Thuney, and Creed Humphrey. All are outstanding additions and should be immediate upgrades up front.

Mahomes has been blessed in Kansas City with the combination of Andy Reid’s offensive mind and great weapons to throw to. Both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are elite pass catchers. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a dynamic weapon out of the backfield. Mecole Hardman has devastating speed on the outside.

As if he needed it, Mahomes will no doubt have extra motivation after what happened in the Super Bowl. I expect him to tear through the league this year on route to his 2nd MVP.

Offensive Player of the Year: Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook had an outstanding 2020 that was unfortunately outshined by Derrick Henry. He finished 2nd in rushing yards, 2nd in touchdowns, and averaged 5 yards per carry. All this behind a rather mediocre offensive line in Minnesota.

Fortunately for Cook, the Vikings drafted Christian Darrisaw in the first round of the 2021 draft. This should help to improve the deficiencies the Vikings have up front. Cook doesn’t need much room to run anyways, so any improvement will help tremendously.

Cook has it all as a true superstar RB. He can run you over one play and run away from you the next. He is a spectacular pass catcher out of the backfield. There really isn’t anything Cook can’t do. The only question he has ever had is his health. However, that has not been a problem the past couple years, and I don’t see that becoming an issue again.

One of the biggest reasons I project Cook to win this award is the regression I see for Derrick Henry. Henry has been an absolute workhouse for Tennessee the past few seasons. He has nearly 700 rushing attempts the past two seasons. With the NFL expanding to a 17-game regular season, I expect the Titans to manage Henry’s carries more to keep him fresh.

Cook has the talent and opportunity to become the top RB in the league this season. At the end of it all, I see Cook walking away with this award.

Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald

I very badly wanted to put a fresh face here for this award. However, it is just impossible to bet against Aaron Donald. He has won the award 3 times. He has registered 11 sacks 5 of the last 6 years. There is no player that has been as dominant as Donald has been.

Just take a look at the Defensive Player of the Year race this past season. T.J. Watt had an incredible year with 15 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. In any other season, Watt would have been a runaway DPOY. However, Donald’s excellence got in the way.

By the time he retires, Donald might be known as the greatest defensive player ever. The impact he has on the game from the interior is simply unheard of. There is a good chance Donald continues to win this award for the next 3+ years as he wrecks havoc on opposing offensive lines.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence is a pretty obvious candidate for the award this year. He is easily one of the best prospects we have seen in quite some time. He had a historic run at Clemson that he will look to continue in the NFL.

Lawrence had been the obvious number 1 pick ever since he was in high school. Obviously, the NFL is a whole different monster. There will definitely be learning curves in Jacksonville as he adjusts to the new speed of the game.

That being said, Lawrence’s talent is undeniable. He already has one of the best arms in the NFL and can make every throw on the field. There is no other rookie QB that can compare to what Lawrence can do.

Jacksonville, despite being the worst team in the league last year, has some interesting weapons. DJ Chark was a 1,000 yard receiver just two years ago. Laviska Shenault is a breakout candidate who can do masterful things with the ball in his hands. Travis Etienne and James Robinson make up a formidable duo out of the backfield.

The last two winners of the award have been QBs, and Lawrence should continue that trend.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jaelan Phillips

The Defensive Rookie of the Year race is going to be an interesting one. There is no clear cut favorite to win this year unlike previous years. The top defensive players off the board this year were all corners. Unfortunately, it is hard to win the award as a defensive back.

This is where Jaelen Phillips comes in. The University of Miami product was one of the most talented pass rushers in this year’s class. If it weren’t for pretty major concussion concerns, he might have been a top 10 pick. He has the tools to be a high-impact pass rusher out of the gate.

Phillips also has the opportunity to put up big numbers. The Dolphins pass rush is pretty weak, so Phillips could become their top guy on day 1. Of course, this is assuming he can stay healthy, which is no guarantee. If he does, though, Phillips could prove to be the steal of the draft.

Comeback Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey

This award is going to be quite the competition. Between McCaffrey, Prescott, Saquon, Joe Burrow, and Nick Bosa, plenty of star talent will be returning from injury. It was hard to choose one to win this award. However, I do believe McCaffrey will end up on top.

In 2019, when McCaffrey was named First-Team All-Pro, he rushed for 1,387 yards and 15 TDs and caught 116 passes for 1,005 yards and 4 TDs. Those are video game numbers. No running back can come close to the impact McCaffrey has as a receiver.

McCaffrey will have every opportunity in 2021 to repeat this performance. With new QB Sam Darnold joining Carolina, he will be looking to McCaffrey often as a security blanket. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady is one of the best creative minds in the game and will no doubt find ways to get the ball in his playmaker’s hands.

Assuming McCaffrey can be close to 100% when he returns, I believe this is his award to lose. The dynamic he brings to the Panther’s offense is unique and truly game-changing. I’m extremely excited to see McCaffrey, and all those returning from injury, back on the field in 2021.