Predicting next season's NFL award winners

With Super Bowl LVI nearly upon us, theScore's football editors look ahead to the 2022 season and predict the winner of every major award.

Most Valuable Player David Eulitt / Getty Images Sport / Getty

EDITOR	PREDICTION
Jack Browne	Patrick Mahomes
Alex Chippin	Josh Allen
Hayley McGoldrick	Josh Allen
Caio Miari	Justin Herbert
Daniel Valente	Josh Allen
Matt Washington	Patrick Mahomes
Dan Wilkins	Justin Herbert
David P. Woods	Josh Allen

Our editors are clearly still reeling from the face-melting Kansas City Chiefs-Buffalo Bills playoff game, and who can blame them? Allen is leading our MVP voting with four ballots after he put together a near-perfect playoff run and reminded the NFL world of his peak, which can rival that of Mahomes. Meanwhile, the Chiefs quarterback received two votes - perhaps a response to an inconsistent 2021 regular season, by his standards. Notably, Aaron Rodgers didn't receive a single vote despite winning a second straight MVP award.

Offensive Player of the Year

EDITOR	PREDICTION
Browne	Ja'Marr Chase
Chippin	Jaylen Waddle
McGoldrick	Ja'Marr Chase
Miari	Deebo Samuel
Valente	Jaylen Waddle
Washington	Dalvin Cook
Wilkins	Kyler Murray
Woods	Justin Jefferson

The 2022 campaign will apparently be the year of the receiver. No position in the NFL is as talent-rich and full of young stars. Chase and Waddle, our joint favorites for Offensive Player of the Year, burst onto the scene as rookies in 2021, and it's easy to see them taking their games to another level as sophomores. Samuel and Jefferson were among the few receivers who rivaled Chase in game-breaking plays this past season. The 49ers star, in particular, could be primed for a uniquely productive campaign after proving in the second half of 2021 he's equally dangerous running the ball.

Defensive Player of the Year Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

EDITOR	PREDICTION
Browne	Nick Bosa
Chippin	Nick Bosa
McGoldrick	Nick Bosa
Miari	Aaron Donald
Valente	Micah Parsons
Washington	Myles Garrett
Wilkins	Myles Garrett
Woods	Micah Parsons

Bosa put together one of the quieter 15.5-sack seasons in recent memory. His dominance was even more impressive considering he was just 12 months removed from a torn ACL at the start of the campaign. With three votes in a highly competitive and pass-rusher-dominated field, we expect Bosa to get the love he deserves in 2022. Garrett and Parsons, who both finished in the top six in sacks in 2021, are seen as Bosa's biggest competition. Voter fatigue seems to have affected Donald's candidacy, while no one believes Defensive Player of the Year winner T.J. Watt can repeat his historic campaign.

Coach of the Year

EDITOR	PREDICTION
Browne	John Harbaugh
Chippin	Arthur Smith
McGoldrick	Sean McDermott
Miari	Sean McDermott
Valente	Kevin O'Connell
Washington	Mike McDaniel
Wilkins	Brandon Staley
Woods	Brian Daboll

First- and second-year head coaches often have the inside track to this award, and five of our eight editors went that way with their selection. Daboll could be an intriguing candidate considering the Giants won just four games in 2021. As a result, they have far more room for improvement than the Chargers (nine wins), Dolphins (nine), and Vikings (eight). McDermott is the only coach to receive multiple votes; it's not hard to imagine Buffalo pushing for a 13- or 14-win campaign with the fuel from its heart-breaking playoff exit.

Comeback Player of the Year Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

EDITOR	PREDICTION
Browne	Chase Young
Chippin	Michael Thomas
McGoldrick	Chase Young
Miari	Cam Akers
Valente	Marcus Peters
Washington	Chase Young
Wilkins	Michael Thomas
Woods	Derrick Henry

This past season was rife with injuries to star players, setting up an intriguing fight for Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. Young led the way with three votes. The pass-rusher looked like a star as a rookie in 2020 and should be close to full strength for the start of the campaign after tearing his ACL. Meanwhile, Thomas has barely played over the last two seasons after a record-setting 2019. The wideout replicating that level without Drew Brees or Sean Payton is questionable, but maybe our editors are banking on a change of scenery sparking his revival.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

EDITOR	PREDICTION
Browne	Kenny Pickett
Chippin	Drake London
McGoldrick	Garrett Wilson
Miari	Kenneth Walker
Valente	Matt Corral
Washington	Treylon Burks
Wilkins	Chris Olave
Woods	Treylon Burks

For rookie awards, our voters leaned toward players they believe will succeed regardless of their landing spots. First-year receivers have been lighting up the NFL in recent years, so it's no surprise to see Burks, Olave, Wilson, and London dominating the ballot. Burks, who possesses a rare blend of size and speed, was the only player to receive more than one vote. Quarterbacks are usually favorites for this award thanks to their visibility. However, this upcoming class is viewed as the worst in a decade and has no clear franchise-caliber prospect.

Defensive Rookie of the Year Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

EDITOR	PREDICTION
Browne	Kayvon Thibodeaux
Chippin	Nakobe Dean
McGoldrick	Kayvon Thibodeaux
Miari	Kayvon Thibodeaux
Valente	Derek Stingley Jr.
Washington	Nakobe Dean
Wilkins	Kyle Hamilton
Woods	Nakobe Dean

Unlike Offensive Rookie of the Year, the defense award has two candidates who our editors believe stand above the rest - former Oregon pass-rusher Thibodeaux and ex-Georgia linebacker Dean. It's easy to understand why. The uber-athletic Thibodeaux is in the running to be the first overall pick and is one of the most well-known players in a class that lacks stars. Dean will have teams looking at him as the potential next Micah Parsons thanks to his speed, versatility, and ability to rush the passer.

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