It's finally time for my favorite article of the year: NFL Award Predictions! Last year I gave out both the MVP, Matthew Stafford at +4000, and the Offensive Rookie of the Year, Tetairoa McMillan at +1200. Again this year, I'll be including the FanDuel odds next to their name and be giving two names for each award: my honest opinion and a dark horse with great betting odds. Without further ado, let's get started.
Offensive Player of the Year:
My Pick: Jahmyr Gibbs (+650)
My OPOY award prediction has essentially become an annual Jahmyr Gibbs propaganda piece. But, in my defense, the guy is pretty damn good. Gibbs finished top seven in rushing yards and top five in touchdowns last season, and I only expect those numbers to go up.
This offseason, Gibbs' running mate, David Montgomery, was traded to the Houston Texans, leaving Gibbs as the lone bell cow in the Lions' backfield. We saw a glimpse of what he's capable of when he gets 20+ touches a game, and I expect nothing less than that from play caller Dan Campbell this season.
This one's pretty simple: Gibbs could get close to 400 total touches this year, and if he does, I don't see anyone putting up better numbers than him.
For the Odds: Omarion Hampton (+4000)
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| (image via @_.jah1._ on Instagram) |
Defensive Player of the Year:
My Pick: Trey Hendrickson (+3000)
After missing out on Maxx Crosby, the Ravens went out and stole Trey Hendrickson from the division-rival Bengals. Hendrickson is coming off a limited season that was derailed by injury. But people forget that when he's healthy, he's one of the best edges in the sport. In his last two healthy seasons in Cincinnati, he had back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons.
Last season, under the tutelage of Jessie Minter, Tuli Tuipulotu totaled 13 sacks, and with all due respect to him, he's nowhere near the player that Hendrickson has been. I could see a 20+ sack season and a new trophy in the case for #91.
For the Odds: Kyle Hamilton (+5500)
Speaking of Jessie Minter, before he got his break in the NFL as a DC and now head coach, he was a defensive backs coach at the college level. At Michigan, he produced talent like Mike Sainristil, DJ Turner, and Will Johnson. Then, with the Chargers, he got to utilize five-time Pro Bowl safety Derwin James, who had his most interceptions since his rookie season in 2025.
Now with the Ravens, Minter has the best safety in the league at his disposal. In Minter's system, Hamilton has a chance to explode and establish himself as one of the NFL's elites. He's the most underrated defensive player in the NFL, due to his position, but if there's anyone to bring safeties back into the DPOY conversation, it's Hamilton.
Comeback Player of the Year:
My Pick: Aaron Donald (+750)
Earlier this week, it became officially official that Aaron Donald would be making his return to the NFL. Donald's last two seasons were 2022 and 2023, where he totaled just five and eight sacks, his career lows for getting after the quarterback, before calling it (at the time) a career.
That said, with the Rams bringing in two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to play alongside him, Aaron Donald will undoubtedly see fewer double teams, which could bring those sack numbers back up. He still looks to be in phenomenal shape, and while I am a little concerned about the possibility of limited snaps, if Donald can rack up a few sacks and make a major impact on what should be a top contender, I think he adds this award to his already stacked resume.
For the Odds: Cam Skattebo (+4000)
In between back flips, Cam Skattebo has been recovering from a gruesome broken ankle suffered in October of last year. While his few carries in the preseason showed he still has some explosiveness and can still punish defenders, there's still questions about whether or not he can keep it up for a full season. This is a concern internally as well as the Giants signed Najee Harris to be Skatt's backup, giving them a similar style of runner should Skatt miss any time.
That said, I see the signing differently. We know John Harbaugh loves to run the rock, and I still believe Skatt will be the starting back. Najee can come in during short-yardage situations and take some of the load off Skattebo, which would actually work in his favor.
Keeping Skatt fresh should allow him to maintain the same energy and explosiveness we saw last year, and if he can pick up where he left off, he'll have an outside chance to win this award.
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| (image via nytimes.com) |
Coach of the Year:
My Pick: Jessie Minter (+850)
The Ravens roster has been loaded with talent for years, but last year was a massive step back in their progression into becoming a true contender. Insert Jessie Minter, the former Chargers Defensive Coordinator, who brings the hope of building a new identity in Baltimore.
In the olden days of Ravens greats like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, Baltimore's defenses struck fear into their opponents, and Minter can be the guy to restore it. I love what he did with the Chargers defense last year, and if he brings that same energy in 2026 they have a chance to be a top, or even the top team in the AFC.
For the Odds: Brian Schottenheimer (+1400)
For those of you who read my season prediction article, you know I'm very high on the Dallas Cowboys this year. We know their offense is elite, but if their defense is even average, they can win a lot of football games this year. In the event that everything does click, Dallas could end as the top seed in the NFC, which would put Schottenheimer at the top of the COTY voting.
Defensive Rookie of the Year:
My Pick: Caleb Downs (+700)
Downs was my favorite player from this past draft; his film is truly some of the best I've ever seen out of a defensive player, let alone a safety. His play recognition is remarkable, with the ability to make an impact on every snap.
I mentioned in my draft analysis that his instinct, ball skills, and overall versatility remind me of a young Earl Thomas from the Legion of Boom. If he can have even half the impact I believe he could, he should be the hands-down DROY.
For the Odds: Jacob Rodriguez (+1200)
Rodriguez has quickly become the leader of the Dolphins defense throughout camp. The rookie has already been assigned the green dot and seemed confident about it when asked about that responsibility. He said, "I think it's something that you want, is you want kind of all the weight on your shoulders. You want it to be kind of 'do or die' on that aspect." By the sound of it he seems ready for the challenge.
He was a tackling machine in college, and, to put it nicely, Miami's defense isn't exactly loaded, so he'll have a chance to put up 100+ tackles as a rook.
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| (image via ChatGPT and Barbara J. Perenic/ Columbus Dispatch/ USA TODAY NETWORK) |
Offensive Rookie of the Year:
My Pick: Jadarian Price (+600)
The defending champs have had a lot of change in their RB this offseason. Their Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III left for Kansas City, and their backup running back, Zach Charbonnet, tore his ACL in the playoffs. This left a sizeable gap in their offense, considering Seattle was top 11 in all major rushing categories in 2025, including total rush yards, TDs, and yards per game.
The Seahawks addressed this need by using their first-round draft pick to take Jadarian Price out of Notre Dame. Price served as a backup for fellow first-rounder Jeremiyah Love, but still produced. He averaged six yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish.
Charbonnet's injury will give Price the full reins to start the season, and I think he'll run away with the opportunity (no pun intended).
For the Odds: Makai Lemon (+1500)
Makai Lemon is coming off of a Biletnikoff Award (best collegiate WR) -winning season in his final year at USC, where he showed just how special he is. While doing my NFL Draft Mock, I watched a ton of his tape, and boy, let me tell you, he's the real deal. He's physical, quick, shifty, and can make cuts out of a video game. He comes into a Philly to fill the 121-target void left by AJ Brown, giving him ample opportunity to display his electricity at the next level.
Most Valuable Player:
My Pick: Justin Herbert (+1000)
A few years back in my Award Prediction article, I essentially guaranteed Justin Herbert would win an MVP. While I haven't hit on it quite yet, this year feels different. In 2025, Herbert had a phenomenal all-around season, throwing for 3,727 yards and having his best career year on the ground, running for just under 500 yards. He even received a first-place vote for MVP.
As I mentioned earlier, Mike McDaniel is now the OC in LA, and if he can get 4,600 pass yards out of Tua, just imagine what he can do with Herbert. If his offensive line can stay healthy, this will be the best team Herbert has ever had around him, and I believe he'll make the most of it.
For the Odds: Bo Nix (+3000)
Bo Nix is off to an outstanding start to his NFL career, throwing 25 TDs and just under 4,000 yards in both of his first two seasons. Last year's playoffs proved to me that this is no fluke and he can be an elite QB in this league. Plus, the addition of Jaylen Waddle as his new WR1 could boost those numbers even higher . The only downside here is the injury to his ankle that ended his playoff campaign, but he was still able to finish that game and should be a full go to start the year.
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| (image via @justinherbert on Instagram) |
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