Right before the NFL season kicked off, I made my predictions on who I thought would win the MVP, OPOY, DPOY, Coach of the Year, Comeback player, and both rookie of the year awards.
I was fairly confident going into these predictions, but like every NFL season, many twists and turns have created some new windows for candidates most of us didnt think about beforehand.Here were my preseason predictions.
MVP = Joe Burrow
OPOY = CeeDee Lamb
DPOY = Aiden Hutchinson
OROY = Jayden Daniels
DROY = Jared Verse
Coach of the Year = Jim Harbaugh
Comeback Player = Kirk Cousins
Honestly, besides the Hutchinson pick, who had a real shot of winning if he didn’t have a devastating season ending injury, this is pretty impressive. Currently both Daniels Verse & Cousins are the favorites to win their awards, with Harbaugh & Burrow very much in the running for their awards.
With all that being said, here would be my picks for these awards halfway through the NFL Season.
MVP:
Josh Allen, QB, Bills- This year will most likely finally be the time Allen gets his first MVP award, and it is incredibly deserved. Currently tied in 1st with last years MVP Lamar Jackson, it seems that everything in lining up in Allen’s favor to capture the award. Taking a Bills team that regressed mightly on paper in the offseason to a commanding 7-2 start, without a true WR1 is impressive, and even if he doesnt finish with the most touchdowns or passing yards, the timing is just right for him to win his first MVP.
OPOY:
Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens- Many fans, including myself, expected Henry to take a few steps back this season after signing with Baltimore in Free Agency. The Running Back position is not kind to any player, and he just turned 30 this season. But man has that been a horrible take, Henry is currently on pace for over 2100 yards and 22 Touchdowns. What is perhaps the biggest part of Henry on the Ravens is the factor of him in January, he is perfect fit for a team that needs big playoff wins.
DPOY:
TJ Watt, DE, Steelers- Hutchinson seemed like it was going to be a great pick before his season ending injury, but Watt is the overwhelming favorite with Chris Jones being second at +1000. Surprisingly Watt has only won 1 DPOY but has finished in top 3 for 4 out of 5 years. Watt recently becamed the second fastest player to reach 100 career sacks.
OROY:
Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders- First time so far my preseason prediction stands true through the midway point of 2024. Daniels & Washington have shocked the world thus far with a 7-2 record good enough for first place in the NFC East. Currently Daniels has the 3rd best QBR in the NFL, and Washington now have a real shot to win the NFC East.
DROY:
Jared Verse, DE, Rams- Being the #1 on the D-Line replacing Aaron Donald is no small task, but credit to Verse hes been doing a great job so far in his rookie season, this now makes 2 picks where my preseason prediction is the current betting favorite after Week 9.
Coach of the Year:
Dan Campbell, Lions- Although Commanders HC Dan Quinn is the presumptive favorite as of today, What the Detriot Lions have ben able to do through eight games in quite scary for the rest of the NFL. They are head and shoulders above every other team in the NFC, and honestly it would be a shocker if they didn’t make the superbowl. Campbell has the two best coordinators by his side in OC Ben Johnson & DC Aaron Glenn. This is a great recipe for success and if the Lions attain the best record in the NFL come seasons end, he will win the award.
Comeback Player of the Year:
Kirk Cousins, QB, Falcons- Come into your trap, and take over your trap. A lot of discussion was had about the free agent signing of Cousins, and then drafting a QB with the teams first round pick, but through nine games, clearly Atlanta knew what they were doing. Coming off an achilles tear last season, Cousins has used the plethora of Falcons weapons effectively and has guided them to a 6-3 record, good enough for first place in the NFC South. With every other team in the division under .500, The Falcons are a lock for the playoffs, which makes Kirko a lock for this award.
