The NFL season is right around the corner.
Before the season begins and we actually see these teams on the field, it is time to make some predictions that could either look brilliant in a few months or age terribly.
I am locking in my picks for seven of the biggest individual awards in football.
Some are safer than others. A few might surprise you.
Here are my 2026 NFL Awards predictions.
MVP: Dak Prescott
Yes, I am going with Dak Prescott.
Dak was outstanding in 2025, throwing for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions while completing 67.3% of his passes. The problem was not Dak’s production. Dallas finished just 7-9-1, keeping him away from serious MVP consideration.
I think that changes this season.
The Cowboys have plenty of offensive firepower around him, including CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and I expect Dallas to be significantly better in 2026.
If Dak can replicate or improve upon those numbers while the Cowboys significantly improve their record, the MVP award is his for the taking.
My pick: Dak Prescott.
Offensive Player of the Year: Bijan Robinson
Bijan Robinson was already incredible last season.
In 2025, Bijan rushed for 1,478 yards while adding another 820 receiving yards, giving him an incredible 2,298 yards from scrimmage. He also scored 11 total touchdowns.
Those are already Offensive Player of the Year-caliber numbers.
Bijan possesses everything you want from a modern running back. He can dominate on the ground, contribute as a receiver and turn a routine play into something special.
If he can build on what he accomplished last season and potentially push toward 2,500 yards from scrimmage, he is going to be extremely difficult to beat for this award.
My pick: Bijan Robinson.
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett
Sometimes there is no reason to overthink it.
Myles Garrett is one of the most dominant defensive players in football.
After recording an NFL-record 23 sacks in 2025, Garrett enters this season with the Los Angeles Rams and another opportunity to terrorize quarterbacks.
And somehow, Garrett’s life just got a whole lot easier.
Aaron Donald is returning, joining Garrett on what has the potential to be an absolutely dominant defensive front. Offensive lines already struggled to contain Garrett when they could build their protection around stopping him. Now they have to worry about one of the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history creating havoc on the inside as well.
Good luck.
With Donald and the rest of that defensive front demanding attention, Garrett should have plenty of opportunities to get after quarterbacks.
After setting the sack record last season, saying he could do it again sounds ridiculous.
But with the defense now surrounding him?
Do not be surprised if Myles Garrett breaks his own sack record.
If he does, there will not be much of a Defensive Player of the Year debate.
My pick: Myles Garrett.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Carnell Tate
The Tennessee Titans needed another major weapon for Cam Ward.
They may have found one in Carnell Tate.
Tate enters the NFL with an opportunity to immediately become one of Tennessee’s primary receiving options. That kind of role is exactly what you want when predicting a Rookie of the Year winner.
If Ward takes the next step and Tate quickly becomes his favorite target, the production could come immediately.
My pick: Carnell Tate.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Caleb Downs
This might be my favorite prediction on the entire list.
Caleb Downs can do everything.
Dallas added one of the most versatile defensive prospects in the draft, and his ability to impact the game from multiple areas of the field should give him plenty of opportunities to make plays immediately.
Safeties do not always receive the same attention as pass rushers, but I think Downs will be too impactful to ignore.
My pick: Caleb Downs.
Comeback Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes
This one almost feels strange to write.
We are talking about Patrick Mahomes winning Comeback Player of the Year.
But after his 2025 season ended with a significant knee injury and Kansas City missed the playoffs, Mahomes enters 2026 in unfamiliar territory.
I am not betting against him.
If Mahomes returns healthy and brings Kansas City back into championship contention, he will have one of the strongest comeback stories in football.
My pick: Patrick Mahomes.
Coach of the Year: Kellen Moore
Here is where I am tying this article into one of my biggest team predictions for the season.
I believe the New Orleans Saints are going to surprise people.
New Orleans finished just 6-11 last season, but I expect a major improvement in 2026. If Tyler Shough continues developing and Kellen Moore gets this offense moving in the right direction, the Saints have a legitimate opportunity to compete for the NFC South.
And if New Orleans goes from 6-11 to a division winner?
The Coach of the Year conversation becomes pretty simple.
My pick: Kellen Moore.
Seven predictions. Seven awards. And with the season right around the corner, there is no changing them now.
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