We currently sit 84 days until the start of the NFL season, and while many things can happen from now until then, I wanted to dive into two players that could take home some awards this season.
I get every fan is likely screaming WHO CARES, I WANT THE PLAYERS GRABBING A SUPER BOWL RING OR NOTHING, but we need to pump the brakes on that statement because that’s going to take some real effort if they want a Lombardi.
With that in mind, check out two players I chose who have the best odds at adding some awards in their career, and let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree.
Defensive Player of The Year
After snagging the Defensive Rookie of the Year award last season and finishing second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, LB/DE Micah Parsons is a trending pick to walk home with the DPOY award this season.
According to Vegas Insider, Parsons is a +900 in DPOY Odds (4th Best).
While that doesn’t show him as the outright favorite, it would be foolish to doubt the second-year defender who’s ranked among the league’s best defenders early in his career.
In a recent tweet by PFF Research Intern Conor McQuiston, McQuiston showed the number of blitzes each LB had and how it correlated with pressure rate, and the graph he had showed Parsons was in a league of his own.
https://twitter.com/ConorMcQ5/status/1536732053630222336?s=20&t=Om7Y6ULZeqVNUePOlsG9I
Besides the blitzes, Parsons showed the world that he’s an all-around player in coverage and the run game, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see his stats double this year.
Although on-paper, the Cowboys currently lack “proven” players who can help Parsons in rushing, former DE Randy Gregory’s production can be replaced with a group effort, but expect Parsons to be just fine.
The main thing fans should look out for is what position he will play snaps at the most (LB or EDGE), but betting money on Parsons contending for the DPOY Award would be a solid investment.
NFL Receiving Yards Leader/Offensive Player of the Year
After the departure of two WRs (Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson Jr.) and the ACL injury WR Michael Gallup suffered last season (which he is still recovering from), WR CeeDee Lamb will enter this season as the team’s undisputed WR1.
Although he will face heavier coverage this year, Lamb’s pass-catch volume should rank among the highest in the league, and because of that, he has a high chance to lead the NFL in receiving yards.
If so, don’t be surprised to hear his name among OPOY (Offensive Player of the Year) talks, and if he were to win, it would be back-to-back years a WR has won the award.
There may be some difficulties at the start of the season from Lamb adjusting to the alpha role, but don’t forget he was a highly-coveted wideout in the 2020 NFL Draft. He will be one of two pass-catchers (the other is TE Dalton Schultz) that the Cowboys need to rely on to win football games, so he has no room to underperform.
Additionally, with the questionable offensive line this year, expect the Cowboys to scheme around their weakness and target Lamb in screens, slants, or quick outs to keep the chains moving.
