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Football Forecast: Predicting the Broncos' MVP, breakout star and other 2021 award winners

Before the Broncos begin training camp this week, we're taking a look at how the 2021 season could play out.

For the second consecutive year, we've polled members of the media to see which members of the team are likely to win a series of awards.

We'll predict an MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and winners in several other categories.

Read on for a look at who the slate of reporters believes are deserving of the series of awards.

(Individuals polled: Benjamin Allbright, KOA NewsRadio; Romi Bean, CBS4; Aric DiLalla, DenverBroncos.com; Sydney Jones, DenverBroncos.com; Mike Klis, KUSA; Nick Kosmider, The Athletic; Brandon Krisztal, KOA NewsRadio; Vic Lombardi, Altitude; Darren McKee, 104.3 The Fan; Phil Milani, DenverBroncos.com; Ryan O'Halloran, Denver Post; James Palmer, NFL Network; Troy Renck, Denver 7; George Stoia, Denver Gazette)

MVP: Von Miller (3 votes)

Voting results: Von Miller (Bean, Jones, McKee); Teddy Bridgewater (Klis, Palmer); Bradley Chubb (DiLalla, Kosmider); Jerry Jeudy (Milani, Stoia); Drew Lock (Krisztal, Lombardi); Noah Fant (Benjamin Allbright); Justin Simmons (Renck); Courtland Sutton (O'Halloran)

They said it:

"The fifth overall pick in the 2018 draft made the Pro Bowl in his first season back from an ACL injury. Now almost two full calendar years removed from that setback, Chubb could be in store for his best season yet, which is saying something considering he registered 12 sacks as a rookie. With Von Miller back and 2020 sack leader Malik Reed also in the mix, teams will double-team Chubb at their own peril. He should have the opportunity to put up monster numbers so long as he's fully healthy following a minor ankle surgery this offseason." - Nick Kosmider on Bradley Chubb

"Before Miller's season-ending injury in 2020, he looked poised to have his best season in years. Between watching his team lose 11 games in 2020 and becoming a free agent at the end of this season, Miller has every reason to have a career year. Oh, and he'll soon also have a son to play for too!" - Romi Bean on Von Miller

Offensive Player of the Year: Jerry Jeudy (5 votes)

Voting results: Jerry Jeudy (DiLalla, Kosmider, McKee, Milani, Stoia); Courtland Sutton (Jones, O'Halloran, Palmer); Noah Fant (Allbright, Bean, Krisztal); Teddy Bridgewater (Klis); Melvin Gordon III (Renck); Drew Lock (Lombardi)

They said it:

"If OTAs are any indication of the year Jeudy will have, he's looking at a potential Pro Bowl type season in his second year. And with Courtland Sutton's return, I think Jeudy will only have more opportunities to be a playmaker in this Broncos offense." - George Stoia on Jerry Jeudy

"Let's go with Sutton, who could conceivably be a candidate for a) team MVP; b) offensive player of the year; and c) comeback player of the year. Assuming he's back from his torn ACL, Sutton will reach 1,300 yards and make the Pro Bowl." - Ryan O'Halloran on Courtland Sutton

Defensive Player of the Year: Bradley Chubb (5 votes)

Voting results: Bradley Chubb (Bean, DiLalla, Milani, Palmer, Stoia); Von Miller (Klis, Krisztal, Lombardi, McKee); Justin Simmons (Allbright, Jones, O'Halloran, Renck); Dre'Mont Jones (Kosmider)

They said it:

"This is the year we've been waiting for. Bradley Chubb and Von Miller on the field together. QBs beware." - James Palmer on Bradley Chubb

"Von Miller is still the best player on the Broncos until proven otherwise. There's no question that Bradley Chubb and Justin Simmons are hot on his tail, but a year ago, the future Hall-of-Famer was set to have one of the best seasons of his career, before that fluke injury in the first practice of the regular season. This year he's poised to pick up where he left off, and he and Chubb could challenge the 1989 Vikings duo of Chris Doleman (21) and Keith Millard (18) had the best sack numbers of any two teammates in league history." - Brandon Krisztal on Von Miller

Rookie of the Year: Pat Surtain II (9 votes)

Voting results: Pat Surtain II (Allbright, Bean, DiLalla, Jones, Klis, Kosmider, Krisztal, O'Halloran, Renck); Javonte Williams (Lombardi, McKee, Milani, Palmer, Stoia)

They said it:

"Though it's unclear on the eve of training camp exactly where Surtain will play, there's little doubt coach Vic Fangio will find a way to get the talented cornerback involved early and often. He'll have competition for this honor from second-round running back Javonte Williams, who should see plenty of action in Pat Shurmur's offense, but here's guessing Surtain's talent pops in a big way during his first professional season." - Nick Kosmider on Pat Surtain II

"He was the Broncos' top running back in this year's draft and it's easy to see why in his college highlights. Defenders just bounce off this guy. Trading up to select a running back in the second round tells me the Broncos were serious about wanting another weapon in the backfield, so Williams should get an opportunity to shine." - Phil Milani on Javonte Williams

Breakout Player of the Year: Dre'Mont Jones (4 votes)

Voting results: Dre'Mont Jones (Allbright, DiLalla, Milani, O'Halloran); Noah Fant (Jones, Renck, Stoia); KJ Hamler (Kosmider, McKee); Javonte Williams (Bean, Lombardi); Jerry Jeudy (Krisztal, Palmer); Albert Okwuegbunam (Klis)

They said it:

"With Von Miller and Bradley Chubb on the outside, Dre'Mont Jones will have an opportunity to take advantage of one-on-one matchups inside. A year ago, he finished the year on a hot streak to post 6.5 sacks. He could easily be in double-digit territory in 2021." - Aric DiLalla on Dre'Mont Jones

"Fant has already had two solid seasons in Denver, but I think this is the year he really solidifies himself as one of the better tight ends in the NFL." - George Stoia on Noah Fant

Best Veteran Addition: Kyle Fuller (7 votes)

Voting results: Kyle Fuller (Allbright, DiLalla, Klis, Kosmider, Lombardi, McKee, Milani); Ronald Darby (Bean, Jones, Krisztal, Renck, Stoia); Teddy Bridgewater (Palmer); Bobby Massie (O'Halloran)

They said it:

"The Broncos did well to sign cornerback Ronald Darby early in free agency, but the addition of Fuller was an even bigger splash. The former All-Pro with the Bears had his best pro season in 2018 when Fangio was Chicago's defensive coordinator, and he has 19 interceptions overall since coming into the league as a first-round pick in 2014." - Nick Kosmider on Kyle Fuller

"Kyle Fuller seems like the obvious answer, because of his All-Pro pedigree, but he's on a 1-year deal. Darby overcame injury-shortened seasons in the past to play the most snaps of any cornerback in football last year in Washington. So, Darby was rewarded with a 3-year deal, and has a chance to start opposite of Pat Surtain II for a long time." - Brandon Krisztal on Ronald Darby

Comeback Player of the Year: Von Miller (9 votes)

Voting results: Von Miller (Allbright, Jones, Kosmider, Lombardi, McKee, Milani, O'Halloran, Palmer, Renck); Courtland Sutton (Bean, DiLalla, Klis, Krisztal, Stoia)

They said it:

"Thought about going with Sutton here, but if Von Miller returns for all 17 games and we see him and Chubb together … Vic Fangio has the ability to use his brilliant defensive mind each and every week." - James Palmer on Von Miller

"I believe Von Miller will have a solid comeback season, but let's not forget Sutton was one of the best receivers in the NFL before his injury. If he can return to that form, he's poised for a big year." - George Stoia on Courtland Sutton

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