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Buffalo Bills: Predicting the best candidate for individual awards in 2021

By Theo Bachman

Dec 28, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) celebrates with quarterback Josh Allen (17) and running back Zack Moss (20) after scoring a touch down against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) celebrates with quarterback Josh Allen (17) and running back Zack Moss (20) after scoring a touch down against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 08: Star Lotulelei #98 of the Buffalo Bills is introduced before an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 08, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 08: Star Lotulelei #98 of the Buffalo Bills is introduced before an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 08, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

Comeback Player of the Year

Comeback Player of the Year is usually reserved for players coming off of a major injury and the Bills stayed relatively healthy in 2020 and avoided major injuries. Unless Star Lotulelei who sat out last season or Harrison Phillips who is coming off a torn ACL suddenly become Pro Bowl caliber players in this upcoming season, you can pretty much write this award off for the Bills.

Defensive Player of the Year

The Bills had two defensive players named to the Pro Bowl last year with young phenoms Tremaine Edmunds and Tre’Davious White. With the level that Aaron Donald continues to play at it would take a pretty remarkable season to dethrone him as Defensive Player of the Year. Donald is one of the most dominant defensive players ever and has won the award 3 out of the last 4 years.

We last saw Donald unseated in 2019 when Stephon Gilmore won the award in a season where he led the league in both interceptions (6) and pass deflections (20). Gilmore was also boosted to the award by being a part of a Patriots defense that led the NFL in most statistical categories.

If you combine Tre’s career-high in both stats you would get a season with 6 interceptions and 18 pass deflections. A season on that echelon combined with a down year for Donald could be enough for White to finally get the recognition he deserves and take home defensive player of the year in 2021.

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