NFL 2025-26 Award Predictions

These are some of my favorite articles to write each year, as I love looking across the league and picking out who I think is due for a breakout season. This year, though, I’m adding a new wrinkle: betting odds. For each of my picks, I’ll include the current odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, along with an additional player who I don’t necessarily expect to win the award but has an outside shot based on their odds, and could help win you guys some money. So without further ado, let's get into it. 

Comeback Player of the Year: 

My Pick: Dak Prescott (+300)

Throughout his career, Dak has been a walking 12-win (or playoff-caliber) quarterback when he's played full seasons. Prescott’s 2024 season was cut short after just eight games due to a season-ending hamstring injury. While I’m not sold on the rest of Dallas’ roster, especially their defense, the offense should light it up once again in 2025. The addition of George Pickens alongside CeeDee Lamb gives Dak another true weapon on the outside, and with the Cowboys likely leaning heavily on the passing game, the stage is set for a massive statistical season. If Dak stays healthy, I can see him putting up career-best numbers, which would win him this award.

For the Odds: Rashee Rice (+6000)

Rashee Rice will open the season serving a six-game suspension for his involvement in a car crash last year, all while continuing to work his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in September. It’s not an ideal start, but when Rice is on the field, he’s proven to be one of the NFL’s most talented pass-catchers in an elite offense. Even though he’ll miss a decent chunk of the season, getting a player of his caliber at +6000 is phenomenal value.

image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY

Coach of the Year: 

My Pick: Ben Johnson (+650)

Last year I was all in on the Chicago Bears being a surprise team in the NFC and making a playoff run. Looking back, I probably got a little ahead of myself, maybe a year or two too early on them. With that said, this season feels like the first step towards something special. With a bolstered offensive line, new additions on the defensive front, and talented rookie receivers, the Bears once again look like a team that could sneak up on people. Ben Johnson, who was responsible for the electric Lions offense over the past few seasons, now has the chance to take full control of a team. I love his style of play, and I think he can help develop Caleb Williams, who is still raw, into one of the league’s top signal-callers. As you’ll see in my season predictions, I have the Bears sneaking into the playoffs this year, and if that happens, Johnson will almost certainly take home this award.

For the Odds: Jim Harbaugh (+2000)

We all know Jim Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in football. With some of the additions the Chargers made this offseason, I could see them emerging as one of the top teams in the AFC and taking that next step toward becoming a true contender. If they can pull that off, or even just win their division, Harbaugh will have a real shot at COTY.

Offensive Rookie of the Year:

My Pick: Ashton Jeanty (+250)

Jeanty was a man among boys during his time at Boise State, racking up over 2,600 rushing yards in 2024. The Raiders took him in the top ten to be the focal point of their revamped offense, and he’s built to handle that role. After seeing the impact Saquon Barkley had last year as a true workhorse back, it feels like Jeanty is next in line. We’ve already seen Pete Carroll thrive with this kind of physical runner before in Marshawn Lynch, and that pairing quickly turned Seattle into one of the league’s best offenses. Jeanty will undoubtedly get a heavy workload this year, and when he gets fed, he eats.

For the Odds: Tetairoa McMillan (+1200)

As I mentioned in my mock draft, McMillan was one of my favorite players to watch in college last year. I think he has all the intangibles to be an elite NFL wideout, and in an up and coming offense run by Dave Canales, he may have the opportunity to show what he's got early and often this year. 

(image via @jeantytoday on Instagram)

Defensive Rookie of the Year: 

My Pick: Abdul Carter (+185)

Carter is undoubtedly the best defensive player to come out of this year’s class. In his limited preseason snaps, he showed just how dominant he can be, pressuring the quarterback on what felt like every play he was on the field. Everyone and their mother has already compared him to Micah Parsons, and honestly, I haven’t seen a single reason to doubt that. He looks every bit as good, if not better. With the talent surrounding him on the Giants’ defensive line, especially Dexter Lawrence, who commands double-teams on almost every play, Carter is going to get plenty of one-on-one matchups off the edge. And when he does, it’s basically game over. Don’t be surprised if he explodes right away and establishes himself as the next great defensive superstar.

For the Odds: Mason Graham (+1600)

The Browns already had one of the best defensive lines in football, and it only got stronger this offseason. Their first-round selection of Mason Graham might not have been the flashiest pick, but it was one of the smartest. His blend of pass-rushing ability and run-stopping power is second to none, and with so much star talent already around him, Graham should be able to take advantage of favorable matchups right away.

Offensive Player of the Year: 

My Pick: Jahmyr Gibbs (+1300)

I don’t usually go back-to-back on picks, but I just can’t help myself when it comes to a guy like Gibbs. Last season he exploded for 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground while adding 500 yards and 4 scores through the air. Looking back at my prediction from last year, I was almost spot-on in both touchdowns and yardage, and you can check that out here.  With that said, I’m expecting an even bigger leap this season. David Montgomery, his backfield partner, is nearing 30. While he hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down, Gibbs has been so good that it feels inevitable he takes over as the true workhorse of this offense. And this could very well be the year it happens. The only things standing in his way of being the league’s top back are Montgomery stealing carries (and Saquon Barkley). My prediction? Another 1,400 yards on the ground, closer to 700–800 through the air, and just over 2,000 total yards with 26 total touchdowns.

For the Odds: Brian Thomas Jr. (+3500)

BTJ was great in his rookie season, racking up 1,200 yards receiving and getting into the endzone 10 times. The Jags now have a new head coach in Liam Coen who lead the way in making the Bucs a top three passing offense in 2024. I think Coen can do the same with the Jaguars this year, elevating them into one of the league’s top offenses, and if he does, Thomas will be a huge part of it.

Defensive Player of the Year: 

My Pick: Will Anderson Jr. (+1600)

Loyal DomWithABlog readers know I usually roll with a third-year pass rusher as my DPOY pick. I had originally planned to break that tradition this year, but as I’m typing this, I’m officially switching my pick from Maxx Crosby to third-year pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. After winning Rookie of the Year, Anderson backed it up with a double-digit sack season for the Texans in 2024. He then capped off his sophomore campaign with a dominant playoff run, racking up 3.5 sacks in just two games. I think he carries that momentum straight into 2025 and cements himself as one of the league’s elite edges. Give him somewhere in the 14–17 sack range with a few forced fumbles sprinkled in, and that’ll be enough to bring home the hardware.

For the Odds: Nik Bonitto (+3000)

The Broncos’ defense is poised to be a top-three unit in the league in 2025, and after breaking out with 13.5 sacks last season, Nik Bonitto has a real chance to build on that and push into the high teens.

Most Valuable Player:

My Pick: Patrick Mahomes (+650)

Many NFL fans still consider Patrick Mahomes the best quarterback in the league, but over the past few years guys like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have closed the gap, some arguing they have even passed him for that top spot. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Mahomes look like the undisputed No. 1 guy he was in 2018 and 2023. After getting blown out by the Eagles in the Super Bowl, this feels like the year he goes on a full-blown revenge tour. Once Mahomes gets his No. 1 wideout Rashee Rice back from his six-game suspension, the Chiefs’ offense should be firing on all cylinders again. Add in the continued development of rookie burner Xavier Worthy and a fully healthy Isiah Pacheco, and this unit has the firepower to look as dangerous as it ever has before, which is nightmare fuel for the rest of the league.

For the Odds: Matt Stafford (+4000)

The Rams added Davante Adams this offseason to pair with star wideout Puka Nacua. Even at 37 years old, Matthew Stafford still has one of the league’s best arms, and with the talent surrounding him on both sides of the ball, I think he can lead the Rams to a top seed in the NFC. If he can bump his touchdown numbers into the 30s (which should be much easier with the weapons he now has) there’s an outside chance he could bring home the award, and 40 to 1 odds for a top 10 QB sounds like a good bet to me.

image via @patrickmahomes on Instagram