Detroit Lions: Handing out 6 early individual season awards
We give out individual season awards to six different Detroit Lions early
The Detroit Lions have three weeks left to go in the 2020-21 season. With the health of quarterback Matthew Stafford in question, the rest of the year might feel somewhat lifeless.
Before that happens, we wanted to acknowledge some strong performances from their players.
Most Valuable Player: Taylor Decker
Most important players on your offensive line are the left tackle and center. Detroit might have the best duo in football at those positions. Left tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow have led Detroit’s offensive line to be ranked sixth in pass blocking and 10th in run blocking.
Decker has been a substantial part of that, becoming the player most proclaimed he would eventually come. Out of all left tackles, he grades fifth best in pass blocking, 10th in run blocking, and sixth overall.
He’s only allowed two sacks in 13 games played this season. The Lions have one of the better offensive lines in the league with Decker at the helm. Which leads to the pick of the most valuable player.
Offensive Player of the Year: Frank Ragnow
You won’t find anyone who has placed doubt on Frank Ragnow. He’s proved to be the ultimate warrior and perhaps the best center in the NFL. Last week, he fractured his throat in the first quarter and still managed to finish the game.
Out of all centers, he ranks second in run blocking and eight in pass blocking. I have Decker over him for one reason; a weak point of Detroit’s line is that they struggle to pick up blitzes at times. Which usually is on the center to pick up. Outside of that he’s been outstanding.
Defensive Player of the Year: Romeo Okwara
The only pick that is not debatable. Romeo Okwara might not be Detroit’s best defensive talent, but he is their most productive player. Totaling seven sacks, 52 pressures, 37 hurries and eight QB hits, he presented a pass rush that Lions’ fans have cried for.
Not to mention, he was the team leader in all of those categories. As a pending free agent and a regime change on the horizon, Okwara could be on the move. However, maybe his younger brother, edge rusher Julian Okwara, could convince him to stay.