It’s NFL Awards season, and on Wednesday the league introduced the finalists for each main efficiency award within the league. There weren’t quite a lot of surprises within the nominations themselves, nevertheless it gave us an opportunity to lock in our picks for the 2022 season.
The methodology behind this was fairly easy. We ranked the finalists, and the bottom common was our winner. In the occasion the place a participant who didn’t end first within the general rankings obtained a primary place vote, we’ve listed it right here.
Most Valuable Player: Patrick Mahomes, QB — Kansas City Chiefs
2. Jalen Hurts (1), QB — Philadelphia Eagles
3. Joe Burrow, QB — Cincinnati Bengals
4. Josh Allen, QB — Buffalo Bills
5. Justin Jefferson, WR — Minnesota Vikings
Patrick Mahomes is a staple in terms of MVP finalists, however 2022 might need been his biggest achievement. This was a 12 months of flux for the Chiefs’ offense, and it was extensively believed he’d take a significant step again after Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins.
Instead Mahomes put the staff on his again, throwing for a career-high 5,250 yards and including 41 passing touchdowns. This staff is one recreation away from the Super Bowl, and with out Mahomes they might be one of many worst groups within the AFC. It’s that straightforward.
Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Jefferson, WR — Minnesota Vikings
2. Patrick Mahomes (1), QB — Kansas City Chiefs
3. Jalen Hurts, QB — Philadelphia Eagles
4. Tyreek Hill, WR — Miami Dolphins
There is likely to be debate over who the perfect receiver is within the NFL proper now, however there shouldn’t be. Justin Jefferson has asserted himself from the second he entered the league, not simply as a top-tier move catcher, however a probably legendary receiver.
On paper there was no motive Jefferson ought to have had the season he did. An enormous step again from Adam Thielen meant that extra defensive focus was on Jefferson than ever, and he nonetheless completed with a ridiculous 128 receptions and 1,809 receiving yards. There’s little doubt your entire Vikings offense was propelled by Jefferson, and he stays one of many few receivers within the league who could make his QB higher.
Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa, DE — San Francisco 49ers
2. Micah Parsons, LB — Dallas Cowboys
3. Chris Jones, DT — Kansas City Chiefs
There actually isn’t a nasty reply right here in 2022, however Nick Bosa edges out the competitors due to his 18.5 sacks, however extra necessary the sustained disruption be introduced all season lengthy.
Traditionally whenever you see gamers prime the 15.0 sack mark their video games longs will probably be punctuated by 2-3 video games the place they teed off on horrible offensive traces. That can’t actually be mentioned for Bosa, who merely generated unnatural stress a performed by double groups for almost all of 2022. Nobody was extra disruptive or impactful on protection than Nick Bosa, and he’s a core motive the 49ers are vying for the NFC Championship.
Coach of the Year: Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Brian Daboll (1), New York Giants
3. Kyle Shanahan (1), San Francisco 49ers
It’s unattainable to overstate simply how a lot Doug Pederson turned his staff’s fortunes round in 2022. This was a corporation caught within the NFL’s cellar following a disastrous time underneath Urban Meyer, and a small modicum of enchancment would have performed sufficient to satiate followers.
Instead Pederson bought this staff performing to their full potential, turned Trevor Lawrence into the participant we hoped he may develop into, and led Jacksonville to a playoff win. These have been enormous elements worthy of Coach of the Year.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Garrett Wilson, WR — New York Jets
2. Brock Purdy (1), QB — San Francisco 49ers
3. Kenneth Walker III, RB — Seattle Seahawks
This is one other a type of awards the place there’s actually no unsuitable reply. All three gamers have been phenomenal, with Brock Purdy particularly prone to get plenty of love from voters. However, when the mud settled the vast majority of our workers selected Garrett Wilson.
The Jets receiver fought by horrific QB play from Zach Wilson, and nicely as inconsistent offensive weapons round him to complete with 1,103 receiving yards. Wilson needed to do rather a lot with a bit, and excelled. A beautiful season he can construct off of in 2023.
Defensive Player of the Year: Sauce Gardner, CB — New York Jets
2. Aidan Hutchinson, DE — Detroit Lions
3. Tariq Woolen, CB — Seattle Seahawks
This is likely to be the runaway award of the season. Sauce Gardner wasn’t simply the perfect rookie defensive participant in 2022, he was the most effective defenders in your entire NFL. Dominating from the cornerback place is troublesome, however early returns are making Gardner appear like Darrelle Revis in his prime, with a uncommon body for a defensive again together with his ball expertise.
Gardner made life hell for opposing quarterbacks and utterly took away one half of the sector. A shocking season deserving of this award.
Comeback Player of the Year: Geno Smith, QB — Seattle Seahawks
2. Christian McCaffrey, RB — San Francisco 49ers
3. Saquon Barkley, RB — New York Giants
This is one other award with a transparent winner. It’s to not take something away from McCaffrey or Barkley bouncing again from harm and poor efficiency, however Geno Smith was to this point out of thoughts that lots of people didn’t even know he was nonetheless within the league.
When Geno was named quarterback of the Seahawks, taking up for Russell Wilson, the vast expectation was that this staff was going to be tanking for a quarterback. Instead Geno broke Russ’ passing data, and went all the best way to the playoffs. This was a monumental season for Smith, who made good of years of being ruined by the previous Jets regime, and now at age 32 is discovering new life within the NFL.