My Official NFL Award Predictions

By Alex Benjamin

As the NFL awards show is tonight, it's time to start making predictions for the awards. The competition is fierce in each category, but here are my choices for who should take home the hardware.

AP MVP: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB

Image source: USA Today

For the AP MVP award, my pick is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is a magician. He came out firing and never slowed down. Week after week he made remarkable plays. Apparently, my dad made those plays on the streets of the Bronx but that's a story for another time. He led the league in touchdown passes and broke the NFL record for total yards in a season with 5,570 yards. He's been the driving force behind the Chiefs' high-powered offense, and his ability to make big plays in key moments has been a huge asset to the team. He led the Chiefs to a 14-3 Record and the number-one seed in the AFC. He did so after Kansas City traded away another NFL awards finalist in Tyreek Hill last offseason. Undoubtedly the MVP. Jalen Hurts had a great season but was not on the same level as Mahomes.

Other finalists: Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Justin Jefferson, Josh Allen

AP Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Jefferson, Vikings WR

Image source: Fox 9 (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

The AP Offensive Player of the Year award should go to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He's been one of the most consistent and productive pass-catchers in the league this season, leading all receivers in receiving yards and receptions. He broke the Viking's all-time receiving record. Jefferson has quickly established himself as a go-to target for quarterback Kirk Cousins and has become one of the most dynamic weapons in the Vikings' offense. Jefferson totaled more than 100 receiving yards ten times during the regular season. Two of those games had over 180 yards total. Although the other finalists are all deserving, Jefferson's work for Minnesota in 2022 was exceptional.

Other finalists: Tyreek Hill, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes

AP Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa, 49ers DE

Image source: San Francisco 49ers

For the AP Defensive Player of the Year award, my choice is San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa. Bosa has been a dominant force on the defensive line, leading the league in sacks (18.5) and had 19 tackles for loss. He's been the heart and soul of the 49ers' defense, and his ability to disrupt the opposing team's offense has been a key factor in the team's success this season. Micah Parsons had an impressive season but his numbers just aren't there with Bosa.

Other finalists: Micah Parsons, Chris Jones

AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Garrett Wilson, Jets WR

Image source: AP Photo/David Richards

The AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award should go to New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. He's been a consistent contributor to the offense, leading all rookie receivers in receptions and yards. Wilson's problems to finish the season are not attributable to the terrible quarterback situation the Jets are in. Over the final three games, New York scored a total of 15 points with quarterbacks like Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco, and Chris Streveler (who?), who actually hyped up the crowd when I saw him live, saw action. In terms of Wilson's whole body of work, the Ohio State product recorded three games with 100 yards or more. Additionally, he has achieved the 90-yard mark a total of six times in his rookie campaign.

Other finalists: Brock Purdy, Kenneth Walker

AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Sauce Gardener, Jets CB

Image source: USATSI

The AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award should be given to New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardener. Gardener has been a standout in a Jets defense that was amazing this season. His ability to lock down opposing receivers and make big plays has been a bright spot for the team. He leads all cornerbacks in passes defended. When targeting Sauce, the opposition's quarterbacks had a completion percentage of 53.1% and a QB rating of 61.2. When Gardner covered wide receivers, their targets gained an average of 5.1 yards. Do I need to say anything else? In addition to becoming a Pro Bowler and on the fast track to being one of the league's top cornerbacks, Sauce is going to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Other finalists: Aidan Hutchinson, Tariq Woolen

AP Comeback Player of the Year: Geno Smith, Seahawks QB

Image source: AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

The AP Comeback Player of the Year award should go to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. After sitting out most of his, Smith returned to the field this year and has been a valuable asset to the Seahawks' offense, leading them to the playoffs. Geno had a league-leading 69.9% completion percentage, along with breaking the Seattle single-season passing record.

Other finalists: Christian Mccaffrey, Saquon Barkley

AP Coach of the Year: Brian Daboll, Giants

Image source: ESPN

The AP Coach of the Year award should go to New York Giants' Brian Daboll. He's done an impressive job of turning around a team that was expected to be one of the worst in the league. Daboll has instilled a new sense of discipline and focus in the Giants, and the team has responded with a surprising number of wins and a playoff berth while helping turn Daniel Jones into a starter-caliber quarterback. Recency bias will be used by some to argue that Daboll shouldn't win after New York's 38-7 loss to Philadelphia in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. But this is a regular season award and barring any significant drama, this should be delivered to Daboll.

Other candidates: Sean McDermott, Doug Pederson, Kyle Shanahan, Nick Sirianni

AP Assistant Coach of the Year: DeMeco Ryans, 49ers DC

Image source: NBC Sports Bay Area

Finally, the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award should be given to San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Ryans has done an outstanding job of coordinating the 49ers' defense, which is one of the best in the league this season. He's done a great job of utilizing the strengths of the defense and putting players in positions to make plays.

Overall, this season has been one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory, and many deserving players and coaches could take home the awards. But these are my choices for who should be recognized for their outstanding performances in the 2022-2023 season.