Predicting next season's NFL award winners
Before this year's NFL Honors show, each of theScore's football editors looks ahead to the 2020 season and predicts the winner of every major award.
MVP| Editor | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Mike Alessandrini | Kyler Murray |
| Jack Browne | Patrick Mahomes |
| Alex Chippin | Deshaun Watson |
| Michael McClymont | Carson Wentz |
| Caio Miari | Patrick Mahomes |
| Dan Wilkins | Dak Prescott |
| David P. Woods | Patrick Mahomes |
With Lamar Jackson all but certain to take home this year's MVP, quarterbacks will have earned the NFL's top award for seven consecutive seasons. None of our editors expect that to change in 2020.
Notably, no one believes Jackson will retain his crown. Winning back-to-back MVPs is a rare achievement. In NFL history, only Peyton Manning (twice), Jim Brown, Joe Montana, and Brett Favre earned the honor in two straight seasons.
Three editors think Patrick Mahomes will capture his second MVP in three seasons. Arguably, only a knee injury kept Mahomes from truly challenging Jackson this season, and the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has been lights-out during the playoffs.
Carson Wentz, Deshaun Watson, and Dak Prescott have all teased MVP potential. The latter two pivots were in the running during the first half of 2019 before Jackson pulled away, and Wentz likely would've won in 2017 if he didn't get injured.
The biggest long shot here is probably Kyler Murray. But before you dismiss his chances, remember we're about to have our second straight quarterback who's named MVP in their sophomore NFL campaign.
Meanwhile, our editors believe the days of Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers contending for this award are over.
Offensive Player of the Year| Editor | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Alessandrini | Lamar Jackson |
| Browne | Patrick Mahomes |
| Chippin | Michael Thomas |
| McClymont | Saquon Barkley |
| Miari | Derrick Henry |
| Wilkins | Patrick Mahomes |
| Woods | Saquon Barkley |
While no skill-position player got any love for MVP, some of the league's most exciting weapons are predicted to contend for Offensive Player of the Year.
Derrick Henry was a near-unstoppable force in the second half of this season, racking up 1,273 rushing yards from Week 10 through the divisional round before being contained by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game. He's a free agent but is widely expected to re-sign with the Tennessee Titans, whose offense is built around the running back's unique skill set.
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter a spectacular rookie season, Saquon Barkley struggled with injuries and missed three games in 2019, yet he still posted 1,441 yards and eight touchdowns from scrimmage. If the New York Giants can field a more competitive defense and stop playing from behind so often, Barkley's penchant for eye-popping plays should put him firmly in the hunt.
It's hard to imagine Michael Thomas producing a better season than he did in 2019 - when he caught an NFL-record 149 passes - but at 26 years old, the New Orleans Saints receiver might just be getting started. Plus, Thomas should have Brees back for at least one more year.
Defensive Player of the Year| Editor | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Alessandrini | Nick Bosa |
| Browne | Myles Garrett |
| Chippin | Danielle Hunter |
| McClymont | Nick Bosa |
| Miari | Von Miller |
| Wilkins | Aaron Donald |
| Woods | Danielle Hunter |
Quarterbacks are usually named MVP, and those who hunt them usually win Defensive Player of the Year. So, it's no surprise that edge rushers dominate our 2020 predictions. Aaron Donald is the lone interior player listed, and he's arguably the best pass-rushing defensive tackle to ever set foot on an NFL field.
Two young players in Danielle Hunter and Nick Bosa lead the way with two votes each. The Vikings defensive end is heading into his sixth season but is still just 25 years old. Over the past two seasons, Hunter's 29 sacks trail only Donald and Chandler Jones among all NFL players. Bosa, meanwhile, looked like a game-wrecker in his first season, and he'll continue to be the biggest name on an insanely talented defensive front.
The only thing missing from Von Miller's likely Hall of Fame resume - which includes a Super Bowl MVP, seven All-Pro nods, and 106 sacks - is a Defensive Player of the Year Award. Time is running out for the Broncos star, who will turn 31 in March.
Coach of the Year| Editor | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Alessandrini | Jon Gruden |
| Browne | Brian Flores |
| Chippin | Bill Belichick |
| McClymont | Kliff Kingsbury |
| Miari | Andy Reid |
| Wilkins | Mike McCarthy |
| Woods | Zac Taylor |
Unlike the other categories, none of our editors are on the same page here.
Despite being widely regarded as the best bench boss in NFL history, Bill Belichick has won this award just three times and hasn't done so since 2010. At this point, it would take something special for the Patriots' leader to be named Coach of the Year. Could the potential departure of Brady provide that opportunity?
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyIn the past, this award has often gone to coaches who oversaw a dramatic turnaround. Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins), Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals), and Kliff Kingsbury (Arizona Cardinals) could all fit into this mold.
The Dolphins showed far more fight than most expected in 2019, the Bengals are all but certain to start a new era with Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, and the Cardinals could be set for a leap in the second year of the Murray-Kingsbury era.
Comeback Player of the Year| Editor | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Alessandrini | Baker Mayfield |
| Browne | Cam Newton |
| Chippin | Ben Roethlisberger |
| McClymont | Odell Beckham Jr. |
| Miari | Cam Newton |
| Wilkins | Bradley Chubb |
| Woods | Cam Newton |
Cam Newton missed 14 games of the 2019 season due to a foot injury, and with one year remaining on his contract, it's possible he and the Carolina Panthers could part ways.
But the former MVP likely won't be short of suitors if he's released or made available by trade, and three of our editors believe Newton could have an immediate bounce-back year regardless of his 2020 home.
Ben Roethlisberger and Bradley Chubb are working back from significant injuries that robbed both players of most of 2019, while the Browns' combination of Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. will be looking to get everyone back on the bandwagon after a hugely disappointing campaign.
Offensive Rookie of the Year| Editor | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Alessandrini | CeeDee Lamb |
| Browne | Joe Burrow |
| Chippin | Jonathan Taylor |
| McClymont | Justin Herbert |
| Miari | Jerry Jeudy |
| Wilkins | Tua Tagovailoa |
| Woods | Joe Burrow |
| Editor | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Alessandrini | Chase Young |
| Browne | Isaiah Simmons |
| Chippin | Chase Young |
| McClymont | Jeff Okudah |
| Miari | Chase Young |
| Wilkins | Patrick Queen |
| Woods | Chase Young |
We won't know where any rookies are landing until the draft in late April, but our editors took their shots regardless.
Unsurprisingly, Burrow and Chase Young lead the way for the offensive and defensive honors, respectively. Barring something wild at the top of the draft, the quarterback and the pass-rusher are the two players whose destinations - Burrow to Cincinnati at No. 1 and Young to Washington at No. 2 - are practically guaranteed.
Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyTua Tagovailoa (if he's cleared from a hip injury) and Justin Herbert should also be gone within the first five or six picks, and both quarterbacks should be ready to start from Day 1.
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