19 NFL predictions for 5 years in the future of the league
By Zach Cohen
4. Two running backs will have won NFL Offensive Player of the Year
While the MVP is almost always a quarterback — and will likely stay that way for the foreseeable future — four running backs have won OPOY in the last eight seasons. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume at least two will win the award within the next five seasons.
As I said in Thursday‘s article, picking those players proves to be a bit tougher.
"“Who’s to say young stars like Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley will still be at the top of their games in five seasons? Of the last five running backs to win OPOY, the only one to win it beyond his fifth season in the league was Adrian Peterson, who won it in his sixth year. This makes me want to choose a rookie running back like Najee Harris, though a likelier answer may be a current player in college. I said I don’t want to dip into non-NFL players, but I’ll boldly plant my flag on the nation’s leading rusher in 2020: Iowa State’s Breece Hall.”"
5. Chase Young will be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice
Listen, Chase Young is very good. You didn’t need me to tell you that. That’s why picking Young to have at least one DPOY award isn’t a big deal; it’ll likely happen anyway. As I explained in my NFC predictions article, Young seems like the next great edge rusher:
"“It’s almost too easy to say Young will be Washington’s best player in five years. Let’s take it a step further: I think he’ll be the best edge rusher in the NFL and one of the best overall players in the game.”"
I really wouldn’t be surprised if Young takes home this hardware more than once, either. He’ll be a cornerstone for the Washington franchise for years to come. I can already see the digital headline: Redtails’ Young wins second DPOY.