Las Vegas Raiders 2020 Season Review: The Awards
By Nick Bailey
![DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Darren Waller #83 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after catching a pass for a two point conversion against the Denver Broncos in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on January 03, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Darren Waller #83 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after catching a pass for a two point conversion against the Denver Broncos in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on January 03, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1294355163-850x560-58447f2d06dd2a87eacff39cdc72c53f0c24f4c0daa01a82f7a7d1f08db99d62.jpg)
Raiders 2020 Offensive Player of the Year: Darren Waller
Of course, Darren Waller was going to win this award, as he has been the best player on the Raiders roster. Only one person other than maybe Waller himself saw this coming when he first joined the roster and that is Jon Gruden. After seeing Waller just practice before the Ravens game in 2017, he plucked him off the practice squad, and he has done nothing but get better every single year.
Waller is really just scratching the surface of what his talents can bring to the table. He is a matchup nightmare for anyone who tries to defend him, as he’s too big for defensive backs and too fast for linebackers being a former wide receiver in college. This year he put it all together and had a record-breaking season for the Silver and Black.
Waller broke Tim Brown’s single-season reception record with 107 receptions for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns, a true bright spot in a season where the Raiders once again faltered down the stretch. He is signed a long-term deal with the Raiders for manageable money, so he will be on the squad for the foreseeable future, and we should expect more outstanding moments from him in the Silver and Black.
Runner up: Quarterback Derek Carr