2020 Regular Season Chiefs Awards

2020 Regular Season Chiefs Awards – Though the final chapters of the 2020-2021 Chiefs have not yet been written it’s been an incredible story so far. The Chiefs made their slogan “run it back” in March and they followed through with 0 super bowl hangover. They went 14-2 with one of their losses coming while resting players in a meaningless week 17 game. They beat 4 playoff teams all in primetime and all on the road and earned the only bye week in the AFC. So what players are the most responsible for this success? Who is the least responsible? Who can we look to for hope in the future? Let’s break down some standouts by picking some imaginary award winners for this season, while other football teams have to worry about playing this weekend (sad!)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

(803 Yards Rush, 4 Rush TDs, 297 Yards Rec, 1 Rec TD)

This should come to the surprise of no one. Edwards-Helaire came into the season as RB#1 and held the position all season despite the signing of Le’Veon Bell. It’s hard for Edwards-Helaire to have ever met the lofty expectations that came with his draft slot and the comparisons to players such as Kareem Hunt. However, he still had a great rookie season behind an injury riddled offensive line and in a pass happy offense. Clyde’s biggest games came in his NFL debut against the Texans and in the win against the Bills. Here’s to hoping this season is just the starting point for him and he heals up for the stretch run. 

L’Jarius Sneed

(3 INTs, 7 Passes Deflected, 2 Sacks, 41 Tackles)

Honorable Mention: Tershawn Wharton

I, like most of Chiefs Kingdom, spent the whole draft clamoring for Kansas City to take a cornerback early in the draft. Their patience at the position has paid off once again with L’Jarius Sneed. He has been excellent in his first year as a starter even after returning from clavicle injury. Sneed has been what the Chiefs have lacked in the secondary since the trade of Marcus Peters. He is a physical ballhawk, who has the skills to run with any receiver in coverage. Sneed might be the most valuable corner on the roster and has amazing speed and upside. Sneed’s ability to move inside to the slot has also helped elevate the play of others in the secondary, such as Tyrann Mathieu and Bashaud Breeland.

Nick Allegretti

(28th Guard by PFF grading)

Honorable Mention: Byron Pringle

At this point last year, Allegretti was considered an afterthought to the Chiefs roster. Several thought he might not make the roster coming out of training camp after having little success and opportunity. Since he has taken over at left guard, he’s proven to be a solid player who excels in run blocking. While his pass protection is still developing it’s been nice to see a player drafted so late, develop into a starter for the defending champs. His development will be valuable for the line moving forward.

Frank Clark

(6 sacks, 10 QB Hits, 25 pressures)

Dishonorable Mention: Mecole Hardman

The production itself is disappointing, but when you add in the $100 Million dollar contract and the first round pick… this is definitely disappointing. Frank Clark was brought in to replace Justin Houston (8 sacks) and to put the defense over the top. While the results of the team overall are hard to argue with, the production from Clark is not correlated. Clark seems to still struggle against elite tackles and it looks like he disappears in certain games/quarters. The entire defensive line changes when Clark plays like he did in the postseason, so let’s hope he was just pacing himself.

Travis Kelce

(1,416 Rec Yds, 11 TDs)

Honorable Mention: Tyreek Hill

Travis Kelce is aging like fine wine, it’s reasonable to think that he would have started slowing down at age 31 after a deep postseason run; instead, he just had the best season a tight end has ever had in the history of the NFL. Kelce makes even the best corners look bad as a tight end. He runs routes like a wide receiver and makes plays in space like a running back. He is almost automatic when it comes to getting a first down and also set a career high in touchdowns. His ability to go off script with Mahomes is crucial to their success. He has truly elevated his play to another level making him the top weapon in the top offense in the league. 

Tyrann Mathieu

(6 INTs, 9 Passes Defensed, 6 Tackles)

Honorable Mention: Chris Jones

While Chris Jones finished the season as the best player defensively by position, Mathieu has been the consistent leader of the defense and ironed out the secondary through several injuries and suspensions. Mathieu is tied for 3rd in the league in interceptions and continues to allow other players to shine as his flexibility helps the defense.  The Honey Badger — or Landlord as he now likes to be called — continues to be a leader on and off the field for the Chiefs. His consistency is huge for a defense that relies on turnovers and limiting big plays.

Mecole Hardman

Gets Marcus Peters

There have been so many excellent plays this season. While there are so many fun trick plays and ridiculous displays of skill, none compare to leverage of the Hardman touchdown. The Ravens were supposed to be the team to beat Kansas City, and they were favored on Monday Night Football in Week 3. Lamar Jackson was the reigning MVP, was the NFL 100’s #1 Overall Player and… the Chiefs embarrassed them at their place. Clever route design took advantage of Marcus Peters’ strength and weakness and caused him to jump a route… allowing Hardman to burn the former Chief for a deep touchdown. The TD extended the Chiefs lead to 17 points and making a clear statement that the Chiefs are still the team to beat in the AFC.

Demarcus Robinson

Forgets Which Way to Run, Again

I never stop being amazed by Demarcus Robinson’s ability to… run backwards… every time he gets the ball. After an injury to Byron Pringle and Mecole Hardman we all got the privilege of watching the spectacle that is Demarcus Robinson returning a punt. The only redeeming quality about this play is, it only cost the Chiefs 2 points rather than 7.

Patrick Mahomes

(4,740 passing Yards, 38 TDs, 6 INTs – in 15 games)

As if there was ever a question about this, Mahomes is the most valuable player in the league, let alone his own team. While Mahomes may not be the MVP of the league for this season, he still is the most valuable asset in the NFL. Mahomes is so good that his bad games still are good by most standards. He makes plays inside and outside of structure so regularly that it has become expected. He is an elite scrambler and continues to protect the ball while doing so. Any downplaying of his 2020 season because of a 1 minute video posted on twitter by a Packers fan, is just a joke. Mahomes has had 3 incredible seasons as a starter and has yet to truly have a terrible game or season. He is the tide that raises all boats.

Playoff Note: the Chiefs have never played a wild card game since Patrick has become the starter. 

Price Carter — ArrowheadOne

If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/2020-regular-season-chiefs-awards/#disqus_thread)