Predicting 2026 NFL Awards

Zak Drapeau
3 minutes ago
7 min read

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 8/19/2026

We are 3 weeks away from the start of the 2026 season and if it's anything like last year, the only thing we know for sure is that making predictions like this are almost useless and more often wrong than not.

Just to make my case, let's look at my predictions for the 2025 season that I made the same time last year:

MVP - Baker Mayfield

Super Bowl MVP - Lamar Jackson

Coach of the Year - Todd Bowles

Comeback POY - Christian McCaffrey

OPOY - Joe Burrow

DPOY - T.J. Watt

OROY - Ashton Jeanty

DROY - Jahdae Barron

I did end up picking Mike Vrabel for Coach of the Year Runner Up and both McCaffrey and Hutchinson as Winner and Runner Up for Comeback Player of the year but besides that... squat.

But that won't stop me from trying again!

2025 Award Predictions

Photo Credits to Paul Sancya via Associated Press

MVP

Joe Burrow

Runner Up: Justin Herbert

Ok so we'll jump into this pretty early. I have put perhaps two of the rawest, gunslingers in the NFL as my picks for the top-2 players in the league this year but I have my reasons other than they're both able to throw the ball well.

For Burrow, I haven't exzctly been quiet about the fact that I believe he's the best player in the world when healthy. If Burrow can play 16+ games this year alongside Chase, Higgins and with a better O-line I don't see why he doesn't hit 5,000 yards and 40 TDs.

As a runner-up, Herbert makes a lot of sense with the trajectory of Harbaugh's Chargers. I know they were basically dinged up before the season started but even through midseason when they had only lost half of their starters, Herbert was playing at an MVP-level... imagine what the perfect season for either of these guys looks like.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Super Bowl MVP

Lamar Jackson

Runner Up: Kyren Williams

So my Super Bowl pick this year is going to be Ravens vs Rams. With how great the Rams were last year and how incredible their offseason, defensive acquisitions were it's no wonder they are favorites to represent the NFC. As for the Ravens, they made a coaching change in Jesse Minter, hoping to get over the hump but most certainly to turn one of the best defensive rosters on paper into the best in the AFC.

I believe both of these teams will win their conferences with 10+ point differential per game. When it comes to the championship, even though the Rams should be the easy pick here I really think they could stop the Rams and outscore them in the end. If the Ravens win, Lamar should be the easy choice for MVP. If the Rams win, I actually believe Kyren Williams takes the award because the Ravens defense should be the best pass defense in the league, but only a great run defense that Kyren Williams could poke some holes through especially in the end zone.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Photo Credits to Sam Hodde via Getty Images

Coach of the Year

Brian Schottenheimer

Runner Up: Jesse Minter

I just spoke about the Ravens being my pick for the Super Bowl which is why 1st-year HC Jesse Minter would be runner-up but I'm actaully going to go with Schottenheimer for the award. It's no secret the NFL would love to give praise to the Cowboys and after the offensive season I believe we'll see from the Cowboys it might be hard to deny.

In his 1st year on the job, Schottenheimer went 7-9 with the 7th best offense and 32nd defense. Now in year 2, the passing attack should be even better with Prescott, Pickens and Lamb and the defense should be vastly better with more pass rushers and star rookie Caleb Downs. If the Cowboys fight for the NFC East title and grab 10+ wins, this award would make a lot of sense.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Comeback Player of the Year

Kyler Murray

Runner Up: Aaron Donald

Baker Mayfield... Sam Darnold... Daniel Jones...Kyler Murray. The NFL has seen redemption story after redemption story as of late with Quarterbacks in fresh scenery and this year's clear best option has to be Kyler Murray on the Vikings.

This makes all the sense in the world since Darnold and Jones already played for Kevin O'Connell as they started to improve and Baker played for Sean McVay who was O'Connell's mentor. The "QB-guru" seemingly couldn't fix McCarthy but I'm willing to bet Kyler Murray who has already shown he can succeed on a terrible organization like Arizona.

As for Aaron Donald, that's easy. First of all, Donald would have to actually sign with the Rams first but if he does and if he's a fraction as productive as he was the last time we saw him three years ago, he will be a front runner.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Photo Credits to Dale Zanine via Imagn Images

OPOY

Bijan Robinson

Runner Up: Ja'Marr Chase

So here's my reasoning, the Falcons will trot either Penix or Tua as their Quarterback this season and while Drake London is a more-than-solid receiver to get the ball to, Bijan will be their ENTIRE offense and potentially get 400 touches this season. Bijan is getting better every year and if he does get anywhere near 325 carries and 75 catches, we're talking 2,200+ yards and 17 TDs on the year and an easy selection for this.

If it's going to a receiver, I wouldn't pick anyone besides the #1 receiver for my MVP-winning Quarterback. The exact same applies for Chase as does Burrow; if they stay healthy, Chase should have another elite season like he did the last full season Burrow played when he won the triple-crown award.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

DPOY

Myles Garrett

Runner Up: Will Anderson Jr.

There really isn't much projecting here, I strongly believe that the two best defensive players from last season will repeat their success this year. Garrett's 23-sack season was on a Browns team that, let's say doesn't have the championship pedigree of the Rams who will line Garrett up alongside players like McDuffie, Kinchens, Young, Fiske, Turner and AARON DONALD?!?!

Will Anderson is the next Myles Garrett and in his 3rd season had an unbelievably productive and unblockable season in Houston. Gamewrecker in pass ruish or against the run, Anderson does everything exceptional on the league's best defense and is only 24-years old and getting better every year.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Photo Credits to Jack Compton via Getty Images

OROY

Jadarian Price

Runner Up: Fernando Mendoza

The #32 pick in the NFL draft to the defending Super Bowl champions is currently 4th in odds for this award but I gotta tell you, with Charbonnet likely to moss at least half the year I don't see how Price doesn't grab 1,000+ rushing yards and 7+ TDs this season. Add the fact that the Seahawks will likely be a top seed again this year and you have a recipe for success.

I'm not huge on Mendoza as a prospect but he's looked pretty good in preseason so far. That being said he won't be the starter in Vegas for more than 10 games and likely less than 7. He should have a season much like Tyler Shough from last year but the more games he plays and more importantly the more wins he earns, the more likely he wins this award.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

DROY

Rueben Bain Jr.

Runner Up: Caleb Downs

I've told anybody that will listen that Caleb Downs was the best player in this year's rookie class and on a team like the Cowboys where he can free roam his Safety position in the spotlight of Dallas, he should be a media darling and a staple around the top of this list.

That's how much I love Rueben Bain for this award. Bain was a grimy and violent pass rusher in Miami this year who now gets to play on a Todd Bowles-defense and has a MASSIVE chip on hi shoulder. Early videos show Bain practicing his bend HOURS after training camp practices regularly and that draft video of him walking past the podium gives me everything I need to know about the cut of this kid's jib.

Bet on it.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Photo Credits to Kevin Sabitus via Getty Images

POY

Creed Humphrey

Runner Up: Penei Sewell

Because in my estimation the Protector of the Year Award is the toughest to predict, I want to do something a little different. As a former lineman myself, I love to give credit to the big guys that get little-to-no credit no matter how great a job they do. SO I'm going to raddle off some of the best lineman in the NFL today who anyone of could theoretically win this award.

Creed Humphrey, Penei Sewell, Joe Thuney, Tristan Wirfs, Jordan Mailata, Trent Williams, Quinn Meinerz, Quenton Nelson, Chris Lindstrom, Joe Alt, Dion Dawkins, Tyler Smith, Lane Johnson and Trey Smith.

I picked Creed Humphrey because I think the Chiefs are in for a better season and Penei Sewell is probably the best lineman in the NFL but his switch to Left Tackle from his normal right side may come with learning curves early on.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _