MVP: Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
Prior to his ugly showing in the AFC Championship Game, Jackson was putting together a tremendous season that very well could've been his finest as a pro thus far. A greater reliance on moving the ball through the air under new OC Todd Monken along with the additions of Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. allowed Jackson to put up the best passing numbers of his career (3,678 YDS, 24 TD's, 67.2 CMP%, ) and his huge performances in big spots against good teams (49ers, Lions, Texans, Rams, Dolphins) was a key part of why the Ravens finished the regular season with the best record in the NFL.
Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Christian McCaffery (49ers), Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
Offensive Player of the Year: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins)
Just when you think the 6x All-Pro Hill has reached his peak as a player, he somehow manages to find a way to one-up himself. He set a new career-high in receiving YDS (1,799 YDS) for a 2nd straight season in only 16 games played, led the league in TD grabs (13) and most importantly, proved just how valuable he was to this high-flying Dolphins offense when they suddenly became considerably less dynamic while he was sidelined.
Honorable Mentions: Christian McCaffery (49ers), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys), Puka Nacua (Rams)
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett (Browns)
Garrett is currently favorited to receive his 1st real life DPOTY this season, which would be a long overdue honor for one of the most consistently excellent game-wreckers on the edge that the NFL has seen over the past decade. This will be the 2nd time I've given this considerably less prestigious honor to him. While his sack total was down a bit (14) from the past 2 seasons, Garrett was as productive as ever across the rest of the stat sheet-picking up 37 pressures, 30 QB hits, 17 TFL's, 4 forced fumbles and 3 passes defensed. His monumental presence also allowed his teammates like Za'Darius Smith, Alex Wright and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to feast in new DC Jim Schwartz's blitz-driven scheme-which made his value to the Browns D even higher than it's been in the past.
Honorable Mentions: Micah Parsons (Cowboys), DaRon Bland (Cowboys), Jessie Bates III (Falcons)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Puka Nacua (Rams)
No disrespect to C.J. Stroud and the stunning seismic leap forward the Texans made this season behind his tremendous play under center, but he wasn't quite able to land at the top of the hierarchy for his position. Nacua, on the other hand, was able to pull of that stunning feat. Not only did the 5th round pick out of BYU manage to usurp the great Cooper Kupp as the Rams top wideout, he shattered the league's rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving YDS (1,486). On top of that, he was able to earn All-Pro honors at one of the most talent-rich positions in the league and immediately established himself as an elite route-runner and tough, reliable pass-catcher that can step up when the lights are the brightest. Pretty damn impressive for a kid who was effectively unknown to 99.9% of the football world prior to Week 1.
Honorable Mentions: C.J. Stroud (Texans), Rashee Rice (Chiefs), Sam LaPorta (Lions)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks)
The Seahawks defense didn't provide much reason for excitement this year as they finished in the bottom 10 in nearly every valuable metric that didn't involve the pass-rush. About the only player that wasn't an edge guy who shined for them this year was Witherspoon. In a tough year for their secondary headlined by Tariq Woolen's disheartening year #2 regression and awful safety play from everybody excluding Julian Love, Witherspoon that he's capable of being a top corner in this league. He gracefully handled his coverage assignments (58.3% completion PCT/450 YDS allowed), showed a willingness to get his hands dirty as a tackler/blitzer (79 tackles, 3 sacks, 8 TFL's, 4 QB hits) and even iced a game with a 98-YD pick 6 against the Giants in Week 4. The possibilities of what he'll be able to next year in Mike Macdonald's system are exciting to say the least.
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Carter (Eagles), Will Anderson (Texans), Kobie Turner (Rams)
Coach of the Year: Dan Campbell (Lions)
Campbell appeared to be building towards something in Detroit ever since he inherited a broken, dispirited team from the disgraced Matt Patricia in 2021 and in his 3rd year on the job, he finally took them from scrappy upstarts to legit contender. The Lions enjoyed their best season since 1991: going 12-5 in the regular season, winning their first division title since 1993 and reaching their 2nd NFC Championship Game in franchise history. It ultimately ended in brutal fashion as per usual with this cursed organization, but that heartbreaking NFC Championship Game collapse can't overshadow all of the winning they accomplished this season and that large collection of W's in a place that hasn't seen a whole lot of them over the years is why Campbell remains my clear choice for COTY.
Honorable Mentions: DeMeco Ryans (Texans), Sean McVay (Rams), John Harbaugh (Ravens)
Comeback Player of the Year: Damar Hamlin (Bills)
Yes, Hamlin didn't play much this season and the majority of the snaps he did pick up were on special teams. However, the man dropped dead on the field 13 months ago and managed to return to game action, which is significantly more impressive than coming back from sucking on another team (Baker Mayfield), a bad, injury-plagued season (Matthew Stafford) or just being an old man who came off his couch in November to play surprisingly well for an injury-plagued team (Joe Flacco).
Honorable Mentions: Matthew Stafford (Rams), Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers), Joe Flacco (Browns)
All-Pro Teams:
Quarterback:
1st team: Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
2nd team: Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
Running Back:
1st team: Christian McCaffery (49ers), Kyren Williams (Rams)
2nd team: James Cook (Bills), Raheem Mostert (Dolphins)
Wide Receiver:
1st team: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)
2nd team: Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions), Puka Nacua (Rams)
Tight End:
1st team: George Kittle (49ers)
2nd team: Sam LaPorta (Lions)
Tackle:
1st team: Trent Williams (49ers), Penei Sewell (Lions)
2nd team: Jordan Mailata (Eagles), Lane Johnson (Eagles)
Guard:
1st team: Joe Thuney (Chiefs), Chris Lindstorm (Falcons)
2nd team: Tyler Smith (Cowboys), Kevin Dotson (Rams)
Center:
1st team: Frank Ragnow (Lions)
2nd team: Erik McCoy (Saints)
Defensive End:
1st team: Myles Garrett (Browns), Micah Parsons (Cowboys)
2nd team: Nick Bosa (49ers), Maxx Crosby (Raiders)
Defensive Tackle:
1st team: Dexter Lawrence (Giants), Aaron Donald (Rams)
2nd team: Justin Madubuike (Ravens), Derrick Brown (Panthers)
Outside Linebacker:
1st team: Josh Allen (Jaguars), T.J. Watt (Steelers)
2nd team: Khalil Mack (Chargers), Danielle Hunter (Vikings)
Inside Linebacker:
1st team: DeMario Davis (Saints), Fred Warner (49ers)
2nd team: Roquan Smith (Ravens), C.J. Mosley (Jets)
Cornerback:
1st team: DaRon Bland (Cowboys), Jaylon Johnson (Bears)
2nd team: Sauce Gardner (Jets), Charvarius Ward (49ers)
Safety:
1st team: Jessie Bates III (Falcons), Kyle Hamilton (Ravens)
2nd team: Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers), Jabrill Peppers (Patriots)
Kicker:
1st team: Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys)
2nd team: Harrison Butker (Chiefs)
Punter:
1st team: A.J. Cole (Raiders)
2nd team: Bryan Anger (Cowboys)
Return Specialist:
1st team: Kavonate Turpin (Cowboys), Keisean Nixon (Packers)
2nd team: Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Panthers), Rasheed Shaheed (Saints)
Special Teamer:
1st team: Matthew Adams (Browns)
2nd team: Miles Killebrew (Steelers)
Long Snapper:
1st team: Ross Matisick (Jaguars)
2nd team: Mitchell Fraboni (Broncos)
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Predictions:
Willie Anderson, tackle (Teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens)
Antonio Gates, tight end (Team: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers)
Torry Holt, wide receiver (Teams: St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Julius Peppers, defensive end (Teams: Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers)
Darren Woodson, safety (Team: Dallas Cowboys)
Who I'd Vote for If I Had a Ballot:
Jared Allen, defensive end (Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers)
Antonio Gates
Devin Hester, return specialist/wide receiver (Teams: Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks)
Julius Peppers
Patrick Willis, inside linebacker (Team: San Francisco 49ers)
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