INDIANAPOLIS – The individual accolades were pretty impressive for the 2020 Colts.
In having an NFL-best 6 All-Pros (tied with Green Bay), the Colts were balanced in those individual awards, with 2 coming on offense (1st team: G-Quenton Nelson, 2nd team: C-Ryan Kelly), 2 coming on defense (1st team: DT-DeForest Buckner, LB-Darius Leonard) and 2 coming on special teams (S-George Odum, LS-Luke Rhodes).
Along with the names above, let’s hand a few more awards to the 2020 Colts, who returned to the postseason as a Wild Card team for the second time since 2014.
Here are some awards for the 11-5 Colts:
MVP: DeForest Buckner
To me, MVP means ‘best player’ and not necessarily ‘most valuable player.’ With that, DeForest Buckner is our runaway winner of the 2020 MVP for the Indianapolis Colts (although you could easily argue he was this team’s most valuable player, too). He broke a franchise record for defensive tackle sacks with 9.5, and also had 26 QB hits in 15 games played. This comes with Buckner routinely receiving double teams and heavy attention from opposing protection units.
Others Receiving Votes: Quenton Nelson, Xavier Rhodes, Darius Leonard
Offensive Player of the Year: Philip Rivers
Let’s remember, this is a 16-game award and the quarterback inevitably receives more weight given the responsibility that comes with playing that position. In looking at the impact of Philip Rivers for the entire season, he takes home this award. You could accurately argue that Rivers’ presence was a 2-3 win difference this season. He significantly improved the passing offense and also helped the unit protect the ball better than it did with Jacoby Brissett in 2019.
Others Receiving Votes: Jonathan Taylor, Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith
Defensive Player of the Year: Xavier Rhodes
We don’t like giving multiple awards to one player, so we will go to Xavier Rhodes for DPOY. The Colts took a risk in believing Rhodes still had No. 1 corner ability. They were rewarded with Rhodes giving the Colts top-level outside corner play that the franchise hasn’t had since Vontae Davis in 2014. You had some other very deserving candidates, but we are going to go with Rhodes for his consistency for 16 weeks.
Others Receiving Votes: DeForest Buckner, Kenny Moore, Darius Leonard
Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Taylor
Talk about an award that evolved over the 2020 season. In the summer, the best bet to win this would have been Michael Pittman. At midseason, this award would have gone to Julian Blackmon. But Taylor is the definite winner. Despite being moved down the depth chart on a couple of occasions this year, Taylor was one of the NFL’s best runners in the final month and a half of the season. Taylor finished his rookie season with 1,169 rushing yards (5.0 yards per carry), which was the 3rd most in the NFL.
Others Receiving Votes: Julian Blackmon, Michael Pittman, Rodrigo Blankenship
Breakout Player: Braden Smith
The third-year lineman has blossomed into one of the better right tackles in football. Smith’s pass protection took a major step forward in 2020, as he didn’t allow a sack all season. The Colts had some others that deserved mention here, but Smith’s dependability at such an important position gives him the edge. Smith should receive a contract extension at some point in 2021.
Others Receiving Votes: Khari Willis, Grover Stewart, Nyheim Hines
Biggest Disappointment: Edge Rushing Group
Individually, you could place the admitted inconsistency of a Justin Houston, the production of Kemoko Turay or the trust in Ben Bangou on this list. But we will just group them all together here. What really stings about the lack of production off the edge is the fact that the Colts have DeForest Buckner in the interior commanding so much attention. Houston finished the season 63rd in quarterback hits, despite playing every game. Turay and Banogu combined for 1 sack and 3 total QB hits, despite being available for 23 combined games.
Others Receiving Votes: Rock Ya-Sin
