The NFL World saw with the new 17 games, 18-week season which brought along TJ Watt tying Michael Strahan with 22.5 sacks for a whole season. Cooper Kupp almost broke both most receiving yards in a season which was held by Calvin Johnson ( Cooper had 1,946, Johnson had 1,964 in 2012.), and most receptions in a season currently held by New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas (Kupp had 145, and Thomas had 149 in 2019). But I’ll break down which records could get broken and by whom.
Secondaries have been getting better and better over the last 20 years from Hall of Fame players like Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, Ty Law, and Darelle Revis to future legendary players like Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jalen Ramsey, and Patrick Peterson, among others. This is why I think that next year I think that Dallas Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs will break the record which is currently held by legendary cornerback Night Train Lane with over 14 interceptions in a whole season. The second-year corner out of Alabama has been quickly making a name for himself, with 11.0 interceptions this season. Diggs has an instinctive feel for his opponent’s plans and uses his size and athleticism to disrupt any offense for a stop. And with players getting used to the extra game added to the season, I think this is possible given the Cowboys secondary
Current record: 14 interceptions, Night Train Lane
New Record: 15 interceptions, Trevon Diggs
As the league looks like it’s going toward a pass-first offense in most teams’ playbooks nowadays. The record is currently being held by active Arizona Cardinals Zach Ertz with 113 in the 2018 season. Tight ends like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Darren Waller have been the focus of offenses so it is possible that we could see the record get broken with Travis Kelce having 93 this year alone. But they also specialize in pass block to get others open to and disrupt the defense and get multiple receptions.
Current record: 113 receptions, Zach Ertz
New Record: 118 receptions, George Kittle
It goes without saying that in the NFL, anyone that gets a spot on a team is wanting to make a name for themselves and start their possible legendary career. The current record is held by Justin Jefferson with 2,909 receiving yards. Coming out of LSU, Jefferson was able to show off his elusiveness and explosive speed early in his promising career. But with receivers being more superspeed-oriented a chance this record could be broken early in its time. And with the 2021 rookie draft class being a great group of players, one player stands out and that is Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase. While most people thought that the bangles should’ve gone for an offensive lineman to better protect Joe Burrow, the right choice was made because Chase already has chemistry with Burrow during their time at LSU and his elusiveness is key to him being one of the top receivers in the league for many years to come.
Current record: 2,909 receiving yards, Justin Jefferson
3,010 receiving yards, Ja’Marr Chase
