ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. [WKBW] — In 2020 the Buffalo Bills transformed from a playoff contender to a team that looks capable of winning it all. With their third trip to the postseason in four years upon us, let's hand out some regular-season awards.
Offensive MVP: WR, Stefon Diggs
The deal to acquire Stefon Diggs couldn't have worked out any better for the Bills. In his first season in red, white, and blue, Diggs shattered several Bills franchise records and has solidified himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. If you wanted to say he's the best wideout in the NFL, you wouldn't hear me argue.
The best receiver in the National Football League is Stefon Diggs and he is from the State of Maryland and attended the University of Maryland. pic.twitter.com/gW6W41JSvi
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) December 29, 2020
Diggs finished the regular season with 127 catches for 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns. He now owns the franchise record for the most catches and receiving yards in a single season. You can't overstate how significant Diggs has been to the offense and the Bills as a whole. In any other season, he would be the team MVP.
Defensive MVP: CB, Tre'Davious White
While his numbers aren't quite as impressive as they were in 2019, White proved once again to be a lockdown cornerback and the anchor of the Bills defense. With three interceptions, 11 passes defended, and 57 tackles in 2020, White picked things up in the second half of the season as the defense started to hit its stride.
At the beginning of the season, White inked a four-year extension worth $70 million. The deal keeps White under contract through the 2025 season. After another exceptional year, the contract already looks like a good deal for the Bills as the market continues to reset itself.
Most underrated: LT, Dion Dawkins
Dion Dawkins is proving to be one of the best left tackles in the NFL, yet he often doesn't get showered with praise like some of his peers. In August, Dawkins signed a four-year extension worth $60 million.
Like White, Dawkins' deal looks like a bargain after a phenomenal season anchoring the Bills offensive line. Dawkins' elevated play makes him one of the most important players on the Bills roster.
Rookie of the Year: WR, Gabriel Davis
It felt like we were gushing about Gabriel Davis every single day during training camp. Now you can see why. In his first NFL season, without a true training camp or preseason, Davis immediately brought the Bills another reliable weapon on offense to take things to the next level.
Until Diggs' three-touchdown game against the Patriots, Davis led the team with touchdown catches [six]. He finished the regular season with seven touchdowns after his 56-yarder against the Dolphins. At just 21-years-old, Davis has carved out a role as a more than capable secondary target for years to come. An exceptional find in the fourth round from Brandon Beane and company.
Honorable mention: K, Tyler Bass
After a slow start to the season, Bass became incredibly reliable down the stretch. He's also got some serious swagger, which I didn't think I'd ever say about a kicker. Bass also happened to score the Bills scoring record with 141 points on the season. Steve Christie held the previous record with 140 points.
Most improved: RT, Daryl Williams
After Williams was named an All-Pro with Carolina in 2017, injuries lingered for the 28-year-old right tackle as he saw his role with the Panthers start to change. After the initial rush to sign players at the beginning of free agency Beane and company went back to the Carolina well and it paid dividends.
Since joining the Bills, Williams has been a reliable and consistent player. After starting all 16-games and playing at such a high level, don't be surprised if he's given a new contract.
LVP: DE, Trent Murphy
For the second consecutive season, we're going with Trent Murphy as the Bills LVP. On Sunday against the Dolphins, Murphy was active for the first time since the bye week. In his 10 games played, Murphy had just two sacks and 19 tackles. If Murphy was on this team to be a depth player, his inconsistent production would be more understandable. But keep in mind, Murphy is the fifth-highest paid player on the roster. With an expiring contract after this season, Murphy's future in Buffalo looks bleak.
MVP: QB Josh Allen
Josh Allen might be the most valuable player in the NFL. It's hard to argue otherwise after his record-setting season. The numbers never tell the entire story, but they paint a pretty eye-opening picture. Just look at the jump he made from 2019 to 2020:
2019 - 3,089 passing yards, 20 passing TD, 9 INT, 9 rushing TD, 58.8 completion % [29 total TD]
2020 - 4,544 passing yards, 37 passing TD, 10 INT, 8 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD, 69 completion % [46 total TD]
As for the franchise records he shattered, Allen threw for the most TD in team history [37], most total touchdowns [46], and the most passing yards in a single season [4,544].
Allen's reputation around the league has changed -- but his next step is leading the Bills deep into the playoffs. Anything less would be a disappointment. But there's no denying Allen has solidified himself as the face of this franchise for a long, long time. Enjoy it Bills fans, you've waited a long time for this.
Josh Allen is the first player in NFL history with at least 4,500 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes and five rushing touchdowns in a single season. pic.twitter.com/P6j03BSvw2
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 3, 2021
