Every year, a handful of players win some of the most prestigious awards the NFL has to offer. Some of them are surprises, and others are clear-cut winners. Most likely, we won’t get an idea of nominees until at least midway through the NFL season, but it’s always very fun to make way too early predictions and see how they pan out at the end of the year.
Defensive Rookie of The Year, Nominees
- Will Anderson Jr, DE, Houston Texans.
- Devon Witherspoon, DB, Seattle Seahawks.
- Joey Porter Jr, DB, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Projected Winner
Will Anderson Jr, DE, Houston Texans.
I see Will Anderson Jr as an instant producer at the NFL level, even though he is switching positions to play defensive end in new head coach DeMeco Ryans’ defensive system. Ryans is known as one of the NFL’s best defensive minds, as he was the architect of the NFL’s premier defense last season and the season before. He is also someone who sets up his pass rushers very well and doesn’t use standing linebackers as pass rushers very often, hence Anderson’s position change. I think Anderson ends the season with double-digit sack numbers and takes home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Offensive Rookie of the Year, Nominees
- Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers.
- Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons.
- Jaxson Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks.
Projected Winner
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons.
Anyone who watched even a little bit of college football knows that Bijan Robinson is an absolute beast. Even though the Atlanta Falcons were criticized heavily for selecting a running back at 8, that value could very well be worth it just because that back was Robinson. Bijan was statistically one of the most productive and dynamic playmakers in the history of college football, and it’s hard to imagine that doesn’t translate over to the NFL almost immediately. I think he will RUN AWAY with this award. (Ha-Ha. Laugh please.)
Offensive Player of the Year, Nominees.
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs.
- Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens.
- Christian McCaffery, RB, San Francisco 49ers.
Projected Winner
Christian McCaffery, RB, San Francisco 49ers.
Christian McCaffery, along with QB Brock Purdy, jumpstarted the 49ers season last season and was incredible to the tune of a rushing, receiving, and PASSING touchdown in his very first game. You can bet that head coach and playcaller Kyle Shanahan has drawn up some dreamy plays for McCaffery now that he is entering his 2nd year in the offense. Barring injury, expect CMC’s production to only go up next season and catapult the 49ers offense to new heights as San Francisco’s offensive engine.
Defensive Player of the Year, Nominees
- Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers.
- Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys.
- T.J. Watt, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Projected Winner
Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys.
Micah Parsons is the battery that makes the Dallas Cowboys’ defense run. Parsons will win this award, and I can easily envision him with over 20 sacks this coming season. Parsons is almost a cheat code, as he is not only an elite pass rusher, but also a good coverage and in space traditional linebacker as he showed at times last season. Legandary defensive coordinator Dan Quinn clearly understands how to put Parsons in the best positions possible to ensure his sucess. Combine Quinn’s mind with Parsons’ talent? Thats the Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach of the Year, Nominees
- Frank Reich, Carolina Panthers.
- Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers.
- Robert Saleh, New York Jets.
- Dan Campbell, Detriot Lions.
Projected Winner
Frank Reich, Carolina Panthers.
Frank Reich is a good coach. He never quite made it in Indianapolis, but with that revolving door of quarterbacks, not many can. Now, he got his pick of a franchise quarterback and the Panthers traded up to the number 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft to take Alabama QB Bryce Young. Spoiler from my upcoming NFC preview article, I have the Panthers winning the NFC South and capturing the 4th seed in the NFC. If Carolina manages to win the NFC South with their rookie QB in Reich’s first season in town, he is a shoo-in for Coach of the Year.
Most Valuable Player, Nominees
- Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens.
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs.
- Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals.
- Christian McCaffery, RB, San Francisco 49ers.
- Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings.
Projected Winner
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens.
Unfortunetly for us NFL fans, the wildly exciting Lamar Jackson has missed much of the last 2 seasons due to injury. Lamar inked a huge extension to stay in Baltimore this past offseason, and is slated to have a huge season. I for one thing believe Jackson will recapture his MVP magic, but this time using much more of his arm with new WR1 Odell Beckham Jr, and new playcaller Todd Monken. Jackson, nicknamed action Jackson by many, is electrifying when he is healthy and I have him winning the biggest individual the NFL has to offer.
