Defensive Player of the Year: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Houston Texans
Just like it's tough for non-quarterbacks to win league MVP, it's also tough for non-pass rushers to win Defensive Player of the Year. Every once in a while, someone will play at such a dominating level that they buck the trend (hello, Pat Surtain II), but most of the time, this award is going to an edge rusher.
And this year, it's going to Houston Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr..
Anderson signed a massive 3-year, $150 million contract extension this offseason, and he's about to prove to everyone why the Texans are paying him that kind of money.
He finished 2nd in DPoY voting last season, and was a 1st-team All-Pro after racking up 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 20 tackles for loss, 23 QB hits, and a career-high 36 pressures. He's ready to take the next step toward becoming known as the best defensive player in the game.
Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has already racked up over 5,000 yards from scrimmage and 49 total touchdowns in just three years as an NFL running back. He's proven to be one of the most dynamic weapons in the league, and he's about to be in line for the most work of his career so far.
With David Montgomery being shipped off to the Houston Texans this offseason, the Lions are going to give Gibbs the type of work that is only reserved for truly the rarest types of running backs in the league. He's already proven that, when it comes to talent, he's right up there with the likes of Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey.
But both of those guys have gotten a lot more touches over the past couple of years than Gibbs, including McCaffrey getting nearly 100 more opportunities to make plays than Gibbs just last season (320 touches vs. 413).
With his expected increased workload, Gibbs has a chance to put up video game-like numbers.
Add us as a preferred source on Google