2022-23 NFL Award Predictions (Post Draft & Free Agency)
After four long months, I'm finally back with a new article! And today, I will be making my NFL regular season award predictions. The highly anticipated 2022-23 season is only two months away, and the arms race for the Vince Lombardi Trophy looks as competitive than ever before. First off, let's take a look at who I think will win the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the year awards👇
Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson (both of the New York Jets) also earned some consideration here. But ultimately, I went with Olave, the silky smooth route runner out of Ohio State. Olave will join Pro Bowl weapons such as Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, and Alvin Kamara (although Kamara may miss time with a suspension) and will catch passes from Jameis Winston in New Orleans. Sure, Olave, of course, will have to compete with these guys for targets, but with his aforementioned route running ability and his wide variety of release packages off the line of scrimmage , he's gonna get open and he looks like he's going to make an immediate impact in his first NFL season while possibly helping the Saints return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Detroit Lions:
Predicting the winner of this award was much tougher than predicting the OROY winner. The 2022 draft class is filled with a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball, with guys like Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (Jets), Kayvon Thibodeaux (Giants), and #1 overall pick Travon Walker (Jagaurs). I ultimetely decided to go with Hutchinson, the 6'7, 264 pound pass rusher out of Michigan. Hutchinson will pair up with fellow pass rusher Romeo Okwara (who missed most of last season, but had 10 sacks in 2020) to form a pretty formidable duo on the edge. Hutchinson, with his array of pass rush moves, has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowl player at his position.
Projected stats: 41 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 30 pressures
Now, let's take a look at who I think will be the Comeback Player of the Year👇
Danielle Hunter, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings:
Known for being one of the best pass rushers in the league over the last 4-5 seasons, Danielle Hunter is looking to remind everyone how dangerous of a player he is when he's available on the field. The 6'5, 264 pound freak athlete was on a torrid pace last season, as he accumulated 6 sacks in his first 7 games before missing the rest of the season with a torn pec. But now, Hunter is back, and this season, he will team up with former Packers All-Pro edge rusher Za'Darius Smith to form one of the best edge rushing duos in the entire league. To to the rest of the NFL, look out!
Projected stats: 58 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 46 pressures
Next up, My Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year prediction:
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings:
Jefferson is the second Viking to appear on this list. As a diehard Packers fan, I am obviously not a big fan of the Vikings franchise. But I have to give credit where credit is due. Jefferson is a absolute monster, breaking numerous records including an NFL record 3,016 receiving yards in his first two seasons. That yardage total ranks first in the NFL over the last two seasons (89 more than the Raiders' Davante Adams). His advanced route running ability and just the nuance of how he plays is very special to watch. The craziest part about Jefferson is that he put up those insane numbers in a run-heavy offence under former coach Mike Zimmer. But now, with a new offensive-minded coach in Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings are going to be more pass-heavy, which of course means more targets for Jefferson. And I think, with increased opportunities, Jefferson is bound to have his best season yet.
Projected Stats: 175 targets, 120 catches, 1705 yards, 14 TDs
Nick Bosa, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
After suffering a torn ACL in the 2020 season, many people (including myself) were interested to see how Nick Bosa would bounce back from such a serious injury. Well, he definitely bounced back alright. Bosa finished the 2021 season with 15.5 sacks, and fourth in total pressures (68). His combination of power, speed, finesse, and pass rush moves is a handful for every offensive lineman to deal with on the edge. And the scariest part about Bosa is that he's still just 24 years old and he's only going to improve. Bosa is the centerpiece of an elite 49ers defence (along with linebacker Fred Warner) and I think this is the season where he puts his stamp as the best defensive player in football (although Aaron Donald may have something to say about that).
Projected stats: 54 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 64 pressures
Next up, My Coach of the Year prediction:
Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos:
The Broncos currently have the second longest active playoff drought in the NFL, as they have not made the playoffs since 2016 (when they won the Super Bowl). Since then, they've struggled with finding consistency at head coach and at the quarterback position. But it looks like they may have finally found their guy in Nathaniel Hackett, the former offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. Hackett played a huge part in helping the Packers finish 1st in points per game (31.5) in 2020, and he also helped quarterback Aaron Rodgers win back-to-back MVP awards over the last two seasons. Hackett will now pair up with another future Hall of Fame quarterback in Russell Wilson, who of course was traded to Denver from Seattle in March. While in Green Bay, Hackett (along with Packers coach Matt Lafleur) brought a lot of creativity and explosion to the Packers offence, especially during the 2020 season. I think this season, with Wilson leading the way, along with all the weapons that the Broncos have, and Hackett calling plays from the sidelines, the Broncos will win at least 10 games while snapping their playoff drought and competing for the AFC West crown.
And finally, My MVP pick:
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers:
The MVP race is going to be absolutely crazy this season. I could see a lot of different players winning this award, such as the back-to-back reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Johnathan Taylor, and the list goes on and on. But ultimately, I decided to go with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert, entering his third year in the NFL, has already broken numerous franchise and NFL records, including the record for the most passing yards and passing touchdowns in a quarterback's first two seasons. His rocket arm and crazy pinpoint accuracy often gives the opposing defence nightmares. He's got a very talented supporting cast around him with players like Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, and Mike Williams putting up numbers. And he's also protected by a very good offensive line led by All Pro linemen Corey Linsley and Rashawn Slater. All in all, it seems as if Herbert is lined up to have his finest season as a pro while also leading the Chargers back to the playoffs and potentially, all the way to the Super Bowl.
Projected stats: 67.5 completion percentage, 5,105 yards, 41 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
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