The Miami Dolphins have once again fallen short of the playoffs after finishing 9-8. What was once a doomed season at 1-7, they rallied together and were able to win seven in a row. They proved that they can compete during the back half of the season. While they are now looking for their new head coach, the team is full of young talent on both sides of the ball. Whoever ends up getting the gig, they’ll have a young promising offense, and a top ten defense to work with. It’s now time to give out some awards for the 2021 Miami Dolphins squad.
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Miami Dolphins 2021 Season Team Awards
Most Valuable Player: Xavien Howard
Howard has proven once again why he’s a top tier corner in the league. His five interceptions led the team, and he also had two forced fumbles and a touchdown in 16 games. He is one of the reasons why the Dolphins can blitz so much and leave their corners in one-on-one coverage. Byron Jones on the opposite side of Howard completes one of the best corner duos in the NFL. Howard, who will be 29 at the start of the new season, is one of the veteran leaders on the team as well. His 15 interceptions in the last two years is the second most in the NFL.
Offensive Player of the Year/ Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jaylen Waddle
Waddle could easily be the team’s MVP in his rookie season with his play this year. He broke the NFL rookie reception record with 104, racking in 1,015 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. He was single handedly the whole offense at times, and his chemistry with QB Tua Tagovailoa was on point. Many people had doubts about Waddle coming out of the draft because of an ankle injury, but he is looking like a true top ten pick now. The Dolphins swapped picks with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire Waddle with the sixth pick in last year’s draft.
Defensive Player of the Year: Emmanuel Ogbah
There are a handful of guys who could have won this award, but Ogbah was a guy who really stood out. In what is his contract year, he played in all 17 games and had 41 total tackles, and a solid nine sacks. What’s impressive though was his 12 passes batted down at the line of scrimmage, which is the most by any defensive lineman. At 6’4″, 275 pounds, Ogbah is able to use his size to his advantage at the line and get his hands up at the perfect time. He is due for a big pay day, and the Dolphins should be able to get a deal done.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jevon Holland
Drafted in the second round, Holland was one of the best rookies in the whole league this year. A true hybrid safety who can do it all on the field, Holland was everywhere. He finished with 69 total tackles, two interceptions, and 10 passes defended. He also was a big problem in the blitz game, with 2.5 sacks and seven QB hits. According to PFF, Holland had a total grade of 84.6, which was the fourth best among all safeties in the league.
#Dolphins S Jevon Holland's rookie season:
🟦 84.6 @PFF grade: Third among rookies, fourth among all safeties
🟦 87.7 coverage grade: First among rookies, fourth among all defenders
👋 27% forced incompletion rate: fourth among all defenders https://t.co/J0IuEGYbbR— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 25, 2022
It’s safe to say the Dolphins found themselves a future star in the making, as his sky really is the limit.
Most Improved Player: Christian Wilkins
Wilkins had his best season as a pro by far in 2021. The third year man finished with 89 total tackles (49 solo, 40 assists) which is the second most total tackles by an interior lineman in NFL history. He averaged almost nine tackles a game and played in all 17 games. Last year, he only had 47 total tackles, as he nearly doubled his totals for 2021. If Wilkins continues his strong play into next season, Miami might have to sign him to a big time deal next off-season.
Most defensive stops among Interior DL this season
1️⃣ Aaron Donald: 53
2️⃣ Jeffery Simmons: 49
3️⃣ Cameron Heyward: 47
4️⃣ Christian Wilkins: 43 🐬 pic.twitter.com/rawWMDtzT3— PFF MIA Dolphins (@PFF_Dolphins) January 26, 2022
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
