With the mandatory mini camps beginning Zach and Jack discuss our early 2023 NFL award predictions. We include a dark horse, our top 3, and winner of each awards.
Most Valuable QB oops uhh… Player
Darkhorse: Lamar Jackson
Top 3: Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford,
Our Pick: Josh Allen
Thoughts: If Cooper Kupp or Jonathan Taylor cannot even be in serious contention with the years they had this past season, we wonder if any non QB will actually make a serious push for the award. Eventually it may have to be changed to a best QB award. Either way, we think this is the year Allen finally wins MVP after flirting with it the past few seasons. The Bills in general should have a chip on their shoulder after the loss to the Chiefs in the playoffs. He theoretically is just now entering his prime, along with more weapons than prior years equals MVP for us. Also keep an eye out for Herbert to take a big leap and lead the Chargers to the AFC West crown and MVP consideration. Stafford having potentially the best one-two WR punch in the NFL could lead him to a very good season as well. If Lamar returns healthy, and leads the Ravens back to the playoffs and thrives in a new offense with more two and three tight end looks, he could sneak his way into MVP consideration as our dark horse.
Coach of the Year
Darkhorse: Ron Rivera
Top 3: Brandon Staley, Sean McDermott, John Harbaugh
Our Pick: Brandon Staley
Thoughts: This one we had trouble picking just three candidates. It feels like half the coaches in the league could be up for consideration for this award. In the end, we feel as though whichever coach wins the AFC West will have the strongest case for the award, and to us that is Brandon Staley with the Chargers. The Bills should have a great year, leading to McDermott being considered, and a Ravens return to the playoffs also has Harbaugh in the running. Our darkhorse is Ron Rivera, as we have the Commanders winning the division and going from worst to first (provided they do not suffer the same injury devastation they did last year).
Comeback Player of the Year
Darkhorse: Baker Mayfield
Top 3: Derrick Henry, Kenny Golladay, Michael Thomas
Our Pick: Michael Thomas
Thoughts: Just like coach of the year, there are many possibilities here. It seems the award either goes to players that are coming back from injuries, or veterans (like Tannehill in Tennessee) who have a good year compared to awful years prior. Our choice is Michael Thomas, who is currently on track to be ready for camp after missing nearly two years. He should come back and be the 1A next to Olave and also Jarvis Landry. We feel as though 70 catches or more should get him the award, where he has the edge due to just how much time he missed. Derrick Henry feels like the obvious choice, but we wonder if his injury causes the Titans to manage his workload some. Our third thought was Kenny Golladay, who should be able to massively improve from his dreadful season last year with a revamped coaching staff that comes from two of the best offenses in football. The darkhorse for our money is Baker Mayfield, whom we still believe is traded before the season starts. If he ends up on a team like the Panthers he should be able to win the starting job and lead the Panthers to a slightly surprising season.
Offensive Player of the Year
Darkhorse: Terry McLaurin
Top 3: Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor, Ja’Marr Chase
Our Pick: Justin Jefferson
Thoughts: It is crazy to think Jefferson’s production may have been hampered by bitter head coach Mike Zimmer. Kevin O’Connell comes in from an offense that just had Cooper Kupp win the triple crown. In theory Jefferson’s skill set tops Kupp, so he could be in for one heck of a season. Taylor should be able to repeat a great season, with perhaps some touchdown regression. Chase from the second half and on was an animal, but we do not feel like he will get the targets that Jefferson will, which will lead to slightly less stats. Say what you want about Carson Wentz, but he is one of the better deep ball throwers in the NFL, and he is not afraid to throw it. He will also be by far the best quarterback that Terry McLaurin will have caught passes from, which could lead to an easy career best season for him.
Defensive Player of the Year
Darkhorse: Maxx Crosby
Top 3: Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Joey Bosa
Our Pick: Micah Parsons
Thoughts: Even with the season TJ Watt had last year, it is hard to think Parsons could have won this award as a rookie. Another year in the league should have him improving on the insane season he had last year, and a DPOY award in his second season. Myles Garrett feels like he is on the fringe of a 20 sack season every year, and he could get it with some better pass rushers on the team to help him. Joey Bosa now has an elite running mate with Mack, which could open up a lot more potential for Bosa. Maxx Crosby signed a massive extension, and deservedly so, but he still seems underrated. With Chandler Jones on the other side from him, Crosby could have a very good season for the Raiders.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Darkhorse: Velus Jones
Top 3: Breece Hall, Kenny Pickett, Drake London
Our Pick: Kenny Pickett
Thoughts: Breece Hall could have a similar season to Najee Harris last year as it still feels the Jets are a year away from being a complete team. One of the receivers drafted between Burks, Wilson, and London should get consideration. We believe it will be London as he and Pitts are the only true receiving options (not counting Patterson at RB) for the Falcons. However, Kenny Pickett is our pick as long as he is able to win the job and put up a halfway decent season for the Steelers. Velus Jones is someone to keep an eye on, as he could be the starting slot right away for a Bears team that lacks weapons as well as be the starting returner for them.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Darkhorse: Christian Harris
Top 3: Aidan Hutchinson, Kyle Hamilton, Nakobe Dean
Our Pick: Nakobe Dean
Thoughts: We had Nakobe Dean as the dark horse, but we actually think he wins the award after some discussion. He should not have fallen to the third and believe there will be a chip on his shoulder to prove everyone wrong. The other two candidates for us are Hutchinson and Hamilton. Of all the pass rushers Hutch should have the biggest chance to make an immediate impact, while also not being the sole source of pass rush on his team. Hamilton was our number one ranked prospect and should be a force from the get go. It was hard picking a darkhorse for this because of how many good defensive players there were in this draft. Christian Harris is a player who should start in the middle for Houston immediately and maybe even captain it as a rookie. His counting stats and leadership potential could have him sneak into the running for DPOY.