The NFL awards ceremony is only nine days away, recapping one of the weirdest NFL seasons in recent memory.
At the ceremony, media members of the Associated Press vote on the eight major awards at the conclusion of the NFL regular season and before the postseason starts.
The NFL has released a list of the top five finalists for each award, which includes both familiar faces and new ones, like Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, in the running for the MVP award, or Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for Offensive Player of the Year.
NFL MVP: Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford
The NFL MVP award hasn’t gone to a non-quarterback since running back Adrian Peterson in 2012. With NFL offenses leaning towards the passing game in recent years, the trend of quarterbacks dominating MVP voting should stay. This year is no different.
Don’t get me wrong — we’ve seen a few non-quarterbacks do well in the race before, but nobody affects a team as much as the player at the helm.
This year, it was a tight race all the way with Maye until week 18, when Stafford threw for 259 yards and four touchdowns to put the exclamation point on a career year for the vet. I have him winning the MVP and coming back to the Los Angeles Rams for another shot next season.
Offensive Player of the Year: Seahawks Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
This year was outstanding for the Seahawks and another step for Smith-Njigba. The third-year wide receiver led the league in receiving yards and racked up 10 touchdowns. This was a significant jump in production due to the loss of wide receiver DK Metcalf and the addition of quarterback Sam Darnold.
Smith-Njigba took the role of wide receiver 1 by storm and proved he’s an elite weapon in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense. I see him slightly edging out running back Christian McCaffrey, who had a phenomenal impact on the 49ers’ offense, to win the Offensive Player of the Year award.
Defensive Player of the Year: Browns Defensive Tackle Myles Garrett
This isn’t going to be a long section because it is the easiest decision for the voters of these eight awards. Garrett set the NFL sack record this season with 23.
No matter what the opposing team’s offense did, Garrett just couldn’t be stopped from getting to the quarterback. Proving that he is the league’s best game wrecker and showing why he received his $160 million extension last offseason.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Giants Quarterback Jaxson Dart
This is my only pick against the betting odds that have Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the lead, followed by Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson.
I think Dart will win. Dart finished the year with 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, capping off a promising rookie campaign. Dart faced a plethora of obstacles during his rookie season — he went through a coaching change and a quarterback battle with Russell Wilson. Dart has done a lot more with his smaller opportunity than the other rookies.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Browns Middle Linebacker Carson Schwesinger
The Browns continued to draft studs at defense and found another one with Schwesinger. The rookie led the team with 157 total tackles while also grabbing two picks and two-and-a-half sacks. I think he will get unanimously voted in by the members and easily take home the hardware.
Comeback Player of the Year: 49ers Running Back Christian McCaffrey
Comeback Player of the Year is another award that has a runaway winner with Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey had over 1,000 yards rushing and nearly 1,000 yards receiving this season. He carried the 49ers offense that was plagued with injuries the whole year.
Coach of the Year: Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel
Vrabel took a dead Patriots team that had finished 4-13 last season to the second seed in the playoffs in his first year as coach. This is franchise-saving work, which I think will get awarded unanimously.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores
Flores’ work this year has earned him interviews with a couple of teams for a head coaching job. His defensive mind has the Vikings ranked third in total defense this season and second in red zone defense. This season will get Flores his award and a secure job with the Vikings.
Coverage of the NFL Awards begins on Feb. 5, at 9 p.m. on NBC or with NFL Plus.
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