NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
The Washington Football Team finished its season with a 7-9 record and 1st place in the NFC East. Most analysts only believed Washington would only win 3-4 games in 2020.
Many are looking forward to the draft and free agency. Before we officially hit the offseason, it is time to give out the 2020 season awards.
Most Valuable Player: Ron Rivera
I know this award is for the most valuable player and not coach, but this season would have been a disaster without Rivera. He is the most valuable asset to Washington and has implemented a culture that fans and players can be proud of.
After starting 1-3 and benching Haskins, some fans were ready to give up on Rivera. He dealt with the name change, sexual misconduct allegations, Cody Latimer and Derrius Guice arrests, and being diagnosed with cancer all before their first game.
In one year, Rivera has made a dysfunctional organization with a fed-up fanbase have hope for the future. There is still a long way to go, but things have finally turned around for the Washington franchise.
Offensive Player of the Year: Terry McLaurin
There weren’t too many options here as the offense ranked 30th in yards, 25th in points, and 28th overall. However, McLaurin put together a solid sophomore campaign. He hauled in 85 catches for 1,118 yards (12.9 yds/rec) and four TDs. McLaurin accounted for 22% of Washington’s total yards on offense.
McLaurin’s PFF grade dropped from 85.7 last season to 78.5 this year. The lower grade is mostly from insufficient quarterback play and injury. In week 13, he injured his ankle, which ended up being a high ankle sprain. From week 13 on, he played in five games and only averaged 38.8 yards per game. If healthy, he may have finished with almost 1,300 yards.
Defensive Player of the Year: Chase Young
Many fans will say this award belongs to Montez Sweat, but Young was the best player on this defense. Young ended up being the second-highest graded rookie (87.1), with Justin Jefferson as the highest.
Young ended the season with 7.5 sacks and 42 total pressures. He also finished with four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. Sweat (80 grade) may have had better stats, but Young’s impact allowed Sweat to have more one-on-ones. Young faced a double team on 22.5% of pass plays, which was higher than Khalil Mack.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Antonio Gibson
Gibson is the only option here as he was the only offensive rookie to get substantial playing time. However, that does not take anything away from his play in 2020. He ended with a 78.5 grade and the fifth-highest rushing grade (85.3). He finished the regular season with 1,042 total yards on 206 touches (5.05 yds/touch).
Gibson played wide receiver at Memphis, so his performance as a running back in his first season was remarkable. He had a 22% missed tackle rate on 184 carries. Expect Gibson’s role to grow in 2021.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Kamren Curl
Kamren Curl is the DROY since Young already won DPOY. Washington selected Curl in the 7th round with pick 216. Landon Collins started the season and struggled mightily. He tore his left Achilles tendon in week seven against the Cowboys.
Curl finished the year with 80 tackles, two sacks, eight pressures, and two interceptions. Many were calling for Jeremey Chinn or Antoine Winfield Jr. to win defensive rookie of the year over Chase Young. Curl had a higher grade (68.4) than both of them.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Curl and Collins next year when both are healthy. It is hard to imagine Rivera puts Curl back on the bench. Could Collins transition to linebacker?
Most Improved: Morgan Moses
It was a tough decision between Morgan Moses and Ronald Darby. I went with Moses since Darby wasn’t with Washington last season. Moses has graded in the 60s the past three seasons. This year he ended with an 80. He dominated in run blocking, receiving an 84.7 grade.
His pass blocking could use some improvement in 2021 as he allowed five sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and almost 2.5 pressures per game. However, he put together a great season overall and solidified his spot at right tackle for two more years.
