Why Von Miller could and should win Defensive MVP in 2019

Von Miller is having a Hall of Fame-worthy career but has yet to win Defensive Player of the Year. Here’s why he can win it this year.

When the sun has set on Von Miller’s career, he will have a very viable argument to head to Canton, OH, someday, and that is just going off of his career thus far.

Miller has become an iconic pass rusher and will finish as one of Denver’s best defenders of all time, and that is no small feat with the likes of Champ Bailey, Steve Atwater, and Randy Gradishar on that list.

However, going into year nine of Miller’s career, he has yet to receive DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) honors. While Miller has had to battle against guys like JJ Watt, Aaron Donald, and Khalil Mack among others for those honors, it is simply baffling that Von has not received the award even once.

While Von was a finalist in 2016, he ended up losing to Khalil Mack by just one vote.

However, 2019 may be the perfect year for Von to finally get the nod. Here’s why.

1. The defense will have a new look.

The Denver Broncos defense as a whole may not have feasted under Vance Joseph and Joe Woods, but Von Miller did, finishing his 2018 campaign with 14.5 sacks, his second-highest sack season (18.5 in 2013).

Hopes and expectations are high for the Vic Fangio/Ed Donatell combination, and for good reason.

Fangio oversaw a stellar Chicago defense along with Donatell, who coached the secondary. This defense included Khalil Mack, who had a strong 2018 campaign and was a fan favorite of 2018 DPOY nod, although the honor ended up with Aaron Donald. Speaking of Mack, here is how the Broncos are getting Bradley Chubb ready to play a Mack-like role.

It will be fun to see how this revamped defense and new and improved coaching can help Miller be his best self.

2. Von Miller is still in his prime.

At 30 years old, Von Miller shows no sign of slowing down. He is just as speedy and agile as he was at 25–maybe even more so. If Von was able to finish 2018 with nearly 15 sacks, what could he accomplish in 2019? In fact, Von Miller is almost too good:

The fact that Von Miller has packed on 20 pounds of muscle and is just as powerful as ever is a very encouraging and exciting thought. It will be exciting to watch this man wreck some games.

3. Von Miller enjoys the competition

While Von should make a strong case for DPOY, his fellow defenders will be gunning for the honors as well.

Miller finished at #10 on the NFL Top 100 list this year, with only two other pass rushers finishing above him–Khalil Mack at #3 and Aaron Donald at #1. We all know Von Miller is better than #10.

The good thing is, so does Von. Perhaps the Top 100 list will motivate Von to perform at a higher level and to secure a higher spot on that list next year (Don’t be fooled, though; his main priority is winning).

One more factor that can serve as motivation for Von Miller is that while he wants Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record, he has competition in his rearview mirror. Fellow pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence’s goal is to make Von Miller chase after his record:

"“My goal is to be the best that’s ever played this game. I want to beat that sack record, make it my own, so he can talk about beating my record.”(via NBC Sports)"

It is no secret that Miller likes competition, and he can use this as motivation.

Overall, it is hard to tell what 2019 will bring for Von Miller. However, the conditions are looking good for Von Miller to have a DPOY-worthy season, and he has all the ingredients to pull it off.