NFL Award Predictions
The season is just starting, but it’s never too early to make predictions. So here are some very early NFL award predictions for the 2022-2023 season.
Most Valuable Player - Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
There are so many great candidates for this award, but Josh Allen and Justin Herbert are in a tier by themselves. And while Herbert is certainly a contender, it’s Allen’s time to finally win the award.
NFL Award Predictions
Last year, Allen threw for 4,407 yards and 36 touchdowns and added 763 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Combine that with the fact that the Bills are preseason Super Bowl favorites and you have the MVP favorite.
Offensive Player of the Year - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
This one was hard to decide on because there are so many great candidates like Deebo Samuel and Justin Jefferson. But Ja’Marr Chase will be the winner for multiple reasons.
Chase was arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL last year as a rookie with 1,455 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns while averaging 18 yards per catch. Chase is a perfect receiver - good hands, a great route runner and other than Tyreek Hill, the best wide receiver with the ball in his hands too.
Defensive Player of the Year - Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys
It seems like almost every year Aaron Donald wins this award, but this time it’ll be Penn State’s own Micah Parsons. Parsons was only a rookie last year, but was instantly one of the best players in the NFL.
One of the most versatile defensive players in the league, Parsons is a top-flight pass rusher and a great off-ball linebacker as well. Last year, he had 84 tackles, 13 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss and 30 quarterback hits.
Offensive Rookie Of the Year - James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
A bit of a dark horse, running back James Cook, the second-round pick out of Georgia will be the best rookie on offense this year.
The Bills run game has really struggled the past couple of seasons, and Cook will instantly be able to help, even though he is listed third on the Bills’ depth chart. He also fits extremely well into the Bills’ pass-heavy system because he’s an excellent receiving back as well as a promising runner.
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge Rusher, New York Giants
Kayvon Thibodeaux out of Oregon was arguably the best overall prospect out of this past draft. At 6-foot-5 and 258 lbs., he combines size with elite athleticism. He might miss Week 1 with an injury, but he will most likely be back by Week 2.
He’ll instantly become one of the best pass rushers in the league, and there is a possibility that he could get double digit sacks this year.
Comeback Player of the Year - Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas’ last game was December 13, 2020, meaning he has missed the last 20 games with different injuries. Most people have forgotten how good Thomas was in his first four seasons when he had 1,000 receiving yards every year.
In 2019, he broke the record for most receptions in a single season with 149 for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns.
This season, Jameis Winston will try and force feed him just like Drew Brees did in 2019.
Coach of the Year - Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
It’s hard to believe that Kyle Shanahan has never won this honor considering he is an offensive genius who made two NFC Championship games with Jimmy Garoppolo as his starting quarterback.
Now he has Trey Lance, a raw but extremely talented quarterback who can do things that Garoppolo couldn't dream of. The 49ers could make the Superbowl this year and Shanahan will win his first Coach of the Year award.
Aaron Jurkowitz is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism To contact him please email ahj5136@psu.edu.
