MVP: Cam Newton (CAR)
Newton led the NFL in total touchdowns with 45 and was selected to the First-team All-Pro roster and his third career Pro Bowl. In only his fifth season, he is tied with Hall of Famer Steve Young for the all-time lead in most games with both a rushing and passing touchdown and most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. The former Heisman Trophy winner has already been awarded the Sporting News and Pro Football Writers of America MVP and Offensive Player of the Year and is looking to add the Associated Press versions of each award. Newton led the Panthers to the franchise’s second-ever Super Bowl appearance.
Offensive POY: Cam Newton (CAR)
Defensive POY: JJ Watt (HOU)
The five-year veteran was the league leader in sacks for the second time in his career with 17.5 and was First-team All-Pro for the fourth year in a row. He led the Texans to an AFC South Division title and their first playoff appearance since 2012. Watt has been selected to his fourth career Pro Bowl and won the Sporting News and PFWA Defensive Player of the Year. He is looking to add his third AP Defensive Player of the Year to his already illustrious resume.
Offensive ROY: Todd Gurley (STL)
The rookie out of the University of Georgia started his career off with a bang, rushing for 10 touchdowns and leading all rookies with 1,106 rushing yards this year. Gurley was rewarded with a Pro Bowl selection in light of his spectacular season. He had four consecutive games with over 100 rushing yards and was the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Month in October. He was already awarded the Sporting News NFL Rookie of the Year and PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year, along with being voted to the Second-team All-Pro roster.
Defensive ROY: Marcus Peters (KC)
As a rookie from the University of Washington, Peters led the entire NFL with 8 interceptions and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He was named the PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year and onto the Second-team All-Pro roster. With four interceptions in December, Peters was given the AFC Defensive Player of the Month. Accompanied by a talented Chiefs secondary, Peters helped Kansas City to their first playoff victory since 1994, as they dominated the Texans 30-0 in the Wild Card Round.
Coach of The Year: Ron Rivera (CAR)
Rivera’s 15-1 record was good enough to give the Panthers the best record in the NFL, and their dominating play in the postseason allowed them to capture the NFC title. He was awarded the PWFA NFL Coach of the Year for the second time in his career and is looking to add his second AP NFL Coach of the Year award. This will be Rivera’s first trip to the Super Bowl as a coach; he won a Super Bowl as a player when he was a member of the dominant ‘85 Chicago Bears defense.
Comeback POY: Eric Berry (KC)
After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 2014, Berry made a magical comeback that ended with his fourth career Pro Bowl selection. He was voted onto the first-team All-Pro roster for the second time in his career. Pro Football Focus also awarded Berry with their Comeback Player of the Year award. Berry was third on the Chiefs in tackles with 61.
Most Improved POY: Devonta Freeman (ATL)
In 2013, while playing for Florida State, Freeman raised his draft stock by scoring 15 touchdowns. After being drafted in the fourth round by Atlanta, Freeman underperformed and only rushed for 1 touchdown in the 2014 campaign. However, in 2015, Freeman burst onto the scene with a league-leading 11 rushing touchdowns to go along with 3 receiving touchdowns and 1,634 scrimmage yards. The surprising improvement got Freeman into his first career Pro Bowl and selected onto the second-team All-Pro roster.
Breakout POY: Allen Robinson (JAC)
As a rookie last season, Robinson only had 2 receiving touchdowns in 10 games, but was still marked as a breakout candidate at the beginning of the season by many football writers. His chemistry with quarterback Blake Bortles started to show in training camp, which got many Jaguars fans excited about the 22-year-old, 6’3” receiver. In 2015, Robinson dominated with a league-leading 14 touchdown receptions, which set the single-season record for a player in Jaguars history. His breakout season earned Robinson a selection to his first career Pro Bowl.
