What did the 2022-23 NFL season have that others didn’t? The exciting matchups? The script-like storylines? How about the 49ers playing with their fourth-string quarterback in the NFC Championship game .. or Jarrett Stidham starting for the Raiders over Derek Carr?
This season, the NFL’s 103rd all-time, had unforgettable moments. Take Justin Jefferson’s game-saving catch as an example. What about the Raiders’ remarkable last-second, game-winning defensive touchdown? Oh, and you can’t forget all of the Mahomes Magic that took place virtually every single week.
This season also had some concerning moments. Concussion rates were up, as recently reported, and there were many scary situations — but for every scary moment this season, there were also heartwarming moments. How about Damar Hamlin returning to Highmark Stadium just two weeks after he went into cardiac arrest vs. the Bengals, postponing the game and needing to be resuscitated?
Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken a deeper dive into the NFL season, asking players for their input on the season and what the future has in store. I asked questions, one by one, to see the players’ stance on their own league. Each player was granted anonymity before they were polled.
QUESTION 1: Who is your pick for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player?
Player Pick: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Other Votes: Jalen Hurts
Patrick Mahomes takes the players’ MVP award. Mahomes, who threw for an incredible 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdowns in the regular season, received more than 60% of the votes from the players.
Jalen Hurts was the only other player who received votes for the MVP award. Hurts, after all, is likely to have the second-highest odds to win the award — behind Mahomes, of course. The star Eagles quarterback threw for 3,701 passing yards in 15 games during the regular season and had 35 total touchdowns — 13 being rushing touchdowns.
Remember, this is a regular-season award.
QUESTION 2: Who is your pick for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year?
Player Pick: Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Other Votes: Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill
Justin Jefferson continued to prove himself as one of the NFL’s top receivers this season. He led the NFL in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) while finishing in the top 12 in receiving touchdowns (8). He will continue to prove himself in the future and I think it’s worth reminding people — it was only his third season.
Mahomes, Hurts, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill are all viable candidates for the award this season, but Jefferson, the players’ pick, beats them out.
Oh, and Jefferson also had this insane catch in a classic Week Nine matchup vs the Buffalo Bills:
QUESTION 3: Who is your pick for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year?
Player Pick: Micah Parsons, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys / Nick Bosa, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
Other Votes: Matthew Judon, Haason Reddick
Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa came in at a tie for first place here and the actual award will likely come down to these two.
Parsons finished with 13.5 sacks in the regular season this year — sixth in the league — along with three forced fumbles. He was a terror to opposing offensive linemen and posed a threat at all times.
Bosa finished the season leading the league in sacks at 18.5 and forced two fumbles. His presence impacted opposing teams in many ways. He, along with Parsons, are surefire DPOY candidates for years to come.
Patriots’ Matthew Judon and Eagles’ Haason Reddick also each received one vote. Both had a huge impact on their respective defenses.
QUESTION 4: Who is your pick for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year?
Player Pick: Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Other Votes: Dameon Pierce, Isaiah Pacheco, Garrett Wilson
Offensive Rookie of the Year has been a toss-up all season. While it looked like Breece Hall was the leading candidate through the beginning to middle of the season, he got injured and ultimately fell out of contention.
Kenneth Walker, the current betting favorite for the award, took the players’ award home. Walker broke onto the scene after Rashaad Penny suffered a season-ending injury. Walker ultimately rushed for 1,050 yards and nine rushing touchdowns — both top-12 in the league.
Dameon Pierce, Isaiah Pacheco, and Garrett Wilson are all legitimate options and could’ve been leading candidates in past seasons, but Walker takes this award home.
QUESTION 5: Who is your pick for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award?
Player Pick: Tariq Woolen, DB, Seattle Seahawks / Sauce Gardner, DB, New York Jets
Other Votes: None
From the beginning, two defensive rookies have stood out ahead of the rest of the field for the end-of-the-season award.
Tariq Woolen wasn’t slated to be a perennial Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate at the beginning of this year. Woolen, selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, opened eyes across the league with his four-game interception streak from Week 3 until Week 6. One of those interceptions, which came in Week 4 vs the Detroit Lions, was returned for a touchdown.
He finished the 2022-23 NFL Regular Season leading the NFL in total interceptions with six. Whether or not he comes home with the award, Tariq Woolen has cemented himself into the NFL.
Woolen’s counterpart, Sauce Gardner, came into the league with the DROY expectations. Selected by the New York Jets with the fourth pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the former University of Cincinnati product finished the regular season with 20 total pass deflections — the most in the league.
While he only finished the season with two interceptions, Gardner held opponents to an average of 3.17 yards per game. Yes, you heard that right.
Sauce Gardner is heavily favored to win the award, but both candidates deserve all of the recognition that they get.
QUESTION 7: What Player Was The Most Underrated Player That You Played Against This Season?
Unlike the awards section, the last questions could end up with many different answers. For this question, there wasn’t any player selected more than once. Here are some of the selections:
Bills’ Nyheim Hines was selected as one of the answers to this question. Hines was moved at the trade deadline from the Indianapolis Colts to the Buffalo Bills. He played a monumental role in the Bills’ special teams’ operations.
One prominent AFC defensive player told me that Amon-Ra St. Brown was the most underrated player that he played against this season. The player went back and forth on who to select but ultimately did go with the Lions receiver. St. Brown, who is only 23 years old, saw four 100+ yard games and finished the year with 1,161 total receiving yards.
Some other names that were listed — 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, and Falcons Special Teamer Avery Williams.
QUESTION 8: Do You Think Brock Purdy is Legit?
This question was asked to the players before the 49ers lost to the Eagles in the NFC Championship. Even then, it likely wouldn’t have made any change to the answers.
Purdy led the 49ers to the Conference Championship game as a Rookie. He’s not just some rookie though — he’s Mr. Irrelevant. He was selected with the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Some around the league view Purdy’s performance this season with much optimism for the future. I get the sense that people have grown on him over time. Not just his ability, but his work ethic and his personality. He’s a natural leader and he showed it this season.
“I think he’s solid. He could be [a top ten quarterback in the NFL],” one AFC player said.
While some believe Purdy could be a really solid quarterback in the league, others aren’t so sure.
“It’s hard to tell,” a veteran NFC player said, “He has one of the best offensive units in the league paired with the best defense.”
San Francisco’s offense finished top-six in both points per game and yards per game during the regular season, while their defense ranked first in the league in those categories. The 49ers’ defense also finished second in rushing yards per game.
Purdy will be one to watch. As time progresses, more questions will arise. Was it all a fluke? Will he even start next season? Is he a true QB1?
QUESTION 9: Over The Next Five Seasons, Which Team Has The Best Shot At Winning The Most Championships?
Player Pick: Cincinnati Bengals
Other Votes: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins
This pick from the players may come as a surprise to some. The majority of the players selected the Bengals over any other team. “Where are the Chiefs,” you may ask. “Where are the Eagles?”
Taking a deeper dive into this selection, this makes sense. Cincinnati has the youngest, most promising offensive core in the NFL. The average age between Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins is only 24 years old.
The running back position could potentially be an emphasis this off-season. The Bengals reportedly could release running back Joe Mixon to create cap space, according to multiple reports, but what is stopping Cincinnati from trading up from the 28th pick to select Bijan Robinson? Of course, I’m not the draft analyst — Lincoln Heimbach is — but to me, it seems like a viable option if they were to part ways with Mixon.
The other teams that received votes — the Chiefs, Bills, Jaguars, and Dolphins all have legit opportunities to compete every season. One thing that they all share in common is the youth at their quarterback position.
QUESTION 10: What Player Do You Think Will “Break Out” Next Season?
Many players were listed as answers to this question. There weren’t any players who were selected more than once. Here are some of the selections:
One AFC player told me that Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch will have a breakout season. Dortch is currently the third receiver on an Arizona team that is likely to trade away DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. With that, Dortch would become the WR2 and have more opportunities to thrive.
Another player that I was told will break out next season is Miami Dolphins’ young defensive back Kader Kohou. Kohou played a sizable amount this past season, posting solid rookie numbers. He is poised for a stellar second season with Miami.
Other players who I was told will have a Breakout season — Travon Walker and Kenny Pickett.
QUESTION 11: Which Rookie Receiver Will Rise Above The Rest?
Player Pick: Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Other Votes: George Pickens, Garrett Wilson
While Chris Olave didn’t have a mammoth of a rookie season, he did show much promise in a New Orleans Saints offense that could explode. The only thing that New Orleans needs is a quarterback.
Olave finished the 2022-23 campaign with 1,042 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns in 15 games played. He had three 100+ yard games.
While Olave isn’t a top OROY candidate, he has shown what he will be able to do in the coming years.
George Pickens, who received one vote, showed the NFL world what he could be in future years. His huge frame and spectacular catches bring excitement to his game. Pickett to Pickens is something you could be hearing for a long time.
Garrett Wilson also received one vote. He showed promise in his rookie campaign and is in a similar quarterback situation to Olave’s. Wilson is one to watch.
QUESTION 12: Rank The Top 3 QBs in the NFL.
CONSENSUS RANKINGS
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
3. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Honorable Mentions: Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Tom Brady
The easiest choice on this list was Patrick Mahomes. Every single player who was asked this question put Mahomes at the top of their list. He has proven time in and time out that he is a winner and will make the necessary plays to succeed.
Josh Allen received 50% of the second-place votes, with other votes going to the likes of Tom Brady (yes), Joe Burrow, and more. Allen’s pure talent and arm strength have helped him get to where he is. He is one of the most purely talented quarterbacks in the league.
Joe Burrow received just a slightly higher amount of votes than the honorable mentions. Burrow has led his team to two-straight AFC Championships and has shown that he will do what it takes to win. Combine his winning nature with his talent — he’s a top 3 quarterback in the NFL.
Now you may have looked at the honorable mentions and wondered, “Why is Tom Brady on this list?” Even if you didn’t, let me explain. The player who listed Brady took the survey before he announced his retirement.
Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts — the other quarterbacks who received votes — have proven their talent and capabilities in the NFL. They are honorable mentions.
QUESTION 13: Who is a Better Player? Micah Parsons or Nick Bosa?
Remember the Defensive Player of the Year tie that we had earlier? I saw some controversy coming, hence the reason why I put this question on the survey.
More than 80% of the polled players selected Parsons as a better player. Not only does he display his versatility, but he has proven that he can change the game on any play.
“Parsons has a lot more value because of the positions he can play,” one NFC player explained.
Bosa can change the game as well, but I think the versatility of Parsons outdoes Bosa. The overall DPOY award could go to either player, though.
QUESTION 14: If You Were A Free Agent And Every Team Offered You The Same Exact Contract, Which Team Would You Most Want To Play For?
For the answer to this question, there wasn’t one city that stuck out over the rest.
“Somewhere tax-free,” one NFC player said, “Dallas maybe?”
“Rams or Chargers,” an AFC player said, “Hometown team.”
Many players figure a lot of things into their ultimate decision for this survey and these answers were just a few. You would be surprised at what many players say. Only one of the players picked their own team.
Two other teams that were selected were the Raiders and the Dolphins. The reason for the Dolphins’ selection was due to the lifestyle and the organization.
With the 2022-23 NFL season coming to a close and the Super Bowl just days away, the league will soon pivot to the most chaotic time of the year — the off-season.
