NFL Award Predictions 2023
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR- JUSTIN JEFFERSON | MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The NFL has a laundry list of talented offensive players and at the top of the list is Minnesota WR Justin Jefferson. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year finished the 2022 season with one of the best seasons a WR could dream of (128 rec., 1,809 yds, 8 TDs) and he only looks to be getting better. He will have some stiff competition to win the award once again like fellow WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tyreek Hill as well as RB Christian McCaffrey but if Jefferson can replicate another year like 2022 don’t be surprised if he takes home the award for a second time.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR- MICAH PARSONS | DALLAS COWBOYS
Last year my pick for Defensive Player of the Year was Dallas pass rusher Micah Parsons and while he finished as the runner-up to San Francisco’s Nick Bosa, Parsons will be my pick again for this season. The athletic defender has played multiple positions on the Cowboys defense and this season he looks to be playing more of a down edge rusher role which may create more production compared to last season (65 tkls, 13.5 sacks). Parsons has all the traits to become the leagues best defender and I believe 2023 may be the year we finally see him take that leap into the same conversation as Bosa and Los Angeles lineman Aaron Donald.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR- ANTHONY RICHARDSON | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
This year’s group of rookies are a talented bunch and Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson certainly has a chance to be the most productive of the group. The 6-4, 240 lb. rookie is already one the league’s more dynamic dual threat QBs who will look to provide a spark to the Colts’ offense without star RB Jonathan Taylor which should allow Richardson to use his legs quite often in 2023. Rookie HC Shane Steichen helped develop Eagles star QB Jalen Hurts into one of the league’s top QBs and with that experience under his belt should provide a good framework for how the Colts with provide Richardson in his rookie year. While Richardson is still developing his passing skills and connections with teammates in WRs Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, don’t be surprised if we see a similar play style to that of Justin Fields last season which could result in the Offensive Rookie of the Year award coming home with Richardson.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR- WILL ANDERSON JR. | HOUSTON TEXANS
No rookie defender has a better chance of making an early impression than Texans edge defender Will Anderson Jr. The #3 overall pick was one of college football’s best defenders eclipsing over 34 sacks during his time at Alabama and looks to continue his dominance in the NFL for first year HC DeMeco Ryans. The Texans are one of the younger teams in the league which gives Anderson Jr. the best chance at quality starts which will only aid him in his pursuit for the league’s top rookie defender.
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR- BREECE HALL | NEW YORK JETS
In terms of on the field production for this award, New York RB Breece Hall may be at the top of the list. The explosive sophomore was on pace to have an excellent rookie season for the Jets before suffering a season ending injury effectively ending his chances at the Offensive Rookie of the Year award which went to his teammate, WR Garrett Wilson. Hall seems to be 100% ready for the start of the season and with the addition of veteran Dalvin Cook, the Jets may have one of the league’s best RB duos and a combo that could help vault Hall into conversation for one of the top RBs in the sport.
Special recognition goes to Buffalo defender Damar Hamlin who suffered a horrific and scary injury that almost cost his life but miraculously is back on the field this season and ready to play for the Bills. Hamlin is currently the odds on favorite to win the award and it would not be shocking to see him take home the award after such a life altering moment for him and everyone around the league.
COACH OF THE YEAR- ROBERT SALEH | NEW YORK JETS
The New York Jets are under a microscope this season with titanic expectations since the arrival of future hall of fame QB Aaron Rodgers and the most pressure may be on the shoulders of HC Robert Saleh. The energetic HC is entering his third season with the Jets and looks to be building a great team headlined by a group of great leaders and if all goes well the Jets very well could see themselves atop the AFC East and into a deep playoff run. Saleh may be out of excuses and 2023 could be his sink or swim season as Jets HC.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER- JOE BURROW | CINCINNATI BENGALS
Over the last 2 years Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow has been slow close to claiming the spot as the top player in the NFL and I believe 2023 could be the year for Burrow. The signal caller has been a quite literally a franchise changing player for the Bengals since he was drafted #1 overall and doesnt look to be slowing down anytime soon. Burrow has a top flight offense headlined by arguably the best WR duo in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins along with an affective run game and a bolstered offensive which should provide Burrow what he needs to dethrone Chiefs’ star Patrick Mahomes as the league’s top QB and the 2023 MVP.