My award predictions for the 2026 season:
MVP
Players don’t win MVP two years in a row very often, but I think Stafford has a really good shot. He is the best QB in football right now, and he will be on a historically great team. It seems like he should be the favorite once again. If the voters decide not to pick him just because they want to pick someone else (which they do a lot), then it will be one of the other QBs on top teams. Drake Maye, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes some of the obvious candidates, but some others that could be dark horse contenders could be Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, or Dak Prescott.
My Pick: Matthew Stafford (LAR)
My under the radar pick: Dak Prescott (DAL)
DPOY
There are three main players that could win this. Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, and Will Anderson Jr. Myles Garrett is probably the best player in football, and now he’s going to be on the best team, but I doubt he’s going to put up as good of numbers as he did last year. Micah Parsons’ season was shortened by injuries last year, but he should be back and ready to go this time on an actually good defense. Will Anderson Jr would have won last year had it not been for Myles Garrett, and I think he will put up even better stats this year. It’s a tough pick, but I’m gonna go with Will Anderson Jr. Call me biased, but I think he will put up the best stats.
My Pick: Will Anderson Jr (HOU)
My under the radar pick: Nik Bonitto (DEN)
OPOY
This award is pretty wideopen every year, and that should be the case yet again. I’ll just say that the main candidates are the top 3 WRs and the top 3 RBs. Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, and Ja’Marr Chase are the top 3 WRs in the NFL in my opinion, and I don’t think Jefferson will put up big stats with Kyler Murray at QB. The top 3 RBs are probably Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Bijan Robinson. If I had to pick one guy, I guess I have to go with CMC. He makes such a big impact for his team, and he can single-handedly carry a whole offense. If I had to pick a dark horse guy, I would definitely look at De’Von Achane. He is by far the best player on his team, and he will be getting the ball A LOT.
My Pick: Christian McCaffrey (SF)
My under the radar pick: De’Von Achane (MIA)
Comeback Player of the Year
Patrick Mahomes is the heavy betting favorite for this award, and I would have to agree. An elite QB coming back from injury is hard to beat. Jayden Daniels and Micah Parsons have an outside shot too.
My Pick: Patrick Mahomes (KC)
My under the radar pick: Jayden Daniels (WAS)
OROY
I would be shocked if a QB won the award this year. Fernando Mendoza has very few weapons, and Ty Simpson most likely won’t be playing much if at all. That leaves the RBs and WRs. Honestly, I think this pick is pretty easy. Jeremiyah Love was the best offensive player in the draft as a prospect, and I expect him to be a star immediately. If he got injured, that would open the door for someone else. That gets you to guys like Carnell Tate, KC Concepcion, and Jordyn Tyson. Out of these guys, I would definitely go with Tate because he has less competition for touches on his team.
My Pick: Jeremiyah Love (ARI)
My under the radar pick: Carnell Tate (TEN)
DROY
I think this one will be a mostly three player race between David Bailey, Caleb Downs, and Reuben Bain. Bailey will probably put up the best stats. Bain will put up good stats on a relevant team. Downs is the best player out of the three, but he is a safety. If I had to pick one though, it would probably be Bailey.
My Pick: David Bailey (NYJ)
My under the radar pick: Keldric Faulk (TEN)
Coach of the Year
Coach of the year usually goes to the most improved team of the season, not necessarily to the best coach. With that said, I still think Sean McVay could win it. They were the second best team in the NFL last year, but they will be so much better than everyone else, that it may warrant giving him the award this year. I expect the Cowboys to be one of the most improved teams, so Brian Schottenheimer could win it too. Jesse Minter at Baltimore has a chance too as a first year coach.
My Pick: Sean McVay (LAR)
My under the radar pick: Jesse Minter (BAL)
All Pro
1st Team
Offense
QB: Matthew Stafford (LAR)
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)
FB: Kyle Juszczyk (SF)
AP: Christian McCaffrey (SF)
WR: Puka Nacua (LAR), Ja’Marr Chase (CIN), CeeDee Lamb (DAL)
TE: Brock Bowers (LV)
LT: Trent Williams (SF)
LG: Quenton Nelson (IND)
C: Tyler Linderbaum (BAL)
RG: Quinn Meinerz (DEN)
RT: Penei Sewell (DET)
Defense
EDGE: Will Anderson Jr (HOU), Myles Garrett (CLE), Micah Parsons (GB)
IDL: Quinnen Williams (DAL), Jeffrey Simmons (TEN)
LB: Devin Lloyd (CAR), Roquan Smith (BAL)
CB: Patrick Surtain II (DEN), Trent McDuffie (LAR)
SLCB: Brian Branch (DET)
S: Kyle Hamilton (BAL), Xavier McKinney (GB)
Special Teams
K: Brandon Aubrey (DAL)
P: Michael Dickson (SEA)
KR: Chimere Dike (TEN)
PR: Rashid Shaheed (SEA)
2nd Team
Offense
QB: Josh Allen (BUF)
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)
FB: Patrick Ricard (NYG)
AP: Bijan Robinson (ATL)
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA), Justin Jefferson (MIN), Tetairoa McMillan (CAR)
TE: Trey McBride (CAR)
LT: Jordan Mailata (PHI)
LG: Landon Dickerson (PHI)
C: Creed Humphrey (KC)
RG: Trey Smith (KC)
RT: Dion Dawkins (BUF)
Defense
EDGE: Nik Bonnito (DEN), Maxx Crosby (LV), Aidan Hutchinson (DET)
IDL: Derrick Brown (CAR), DeForest Buckner (IND)
LB: Fred Warner (SF), Jack Campbell (DET)
CB: Christian Gonzalez (NE), Sauce Gardner (IND)
SLCB: Cooper DeJean (PHI)
S: Antoine Winfield Jr (TB), Derwin James Jr (LAC)
Special Teams:
K: Cam Little (JAX)
P: Jordan Stout (NYG)
KR: KaVontae Turpin (DAL)
PR: Marvin Mims Jr (DEN)
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