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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/debd94d2cd4b7cde2b3d28c8f4fac19e9efebb74cd81bf69a8b7124b51ca05a6.jpg)
Offensive Player of the Year
It seems that the Offensive Player of the Year award has transitioned back into being given to the best non-quarterback from each season. After a long run of QB domination over the award, it has been given to a WR or RB 3 out of the last 4 years.
If we’re taking Allen out of the running, then the best candidate would be the Bills best skill position player, Stefon Diggs. Diggs lit the NFL up in 2020 leading the league in receptions and yards, however, he still did not get any votes for Offensive Player of the Year.
It’s very difficult for a wide receiver to win the award as it’s only been won by 2 wide receivers (Michael Thomas and Jerry Rice). For Diggs to have a chance of winning the award he would need to recreate last season’s insane catch and yards numbers (127 catches for 1535 yards) while also significantly increasing his touchdown total (8 a year ago).
This is pretty unrealistic to expect as Diggs was arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL last year and was named a first-team All-Pro.