Danny Dimes Returns? NFL Pre-Season Awards Predictions

With the 2025-26 NFL season gearing up this week, there’s no better time to make irresponsible predictions about how the entirety of the year will play out. Let’s, of course, begin with the most irresponsible guess: Most Valuable Player (MVP).

MVP: Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens

Call it hometown bias, call it predictable, call it whatever you want! Lamar Jackson is a two-time MVP with likely his strongest roster yet. Derrick Henry showed he could still dominate the league last year, wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman proved their worth, and the defense is young and hungry. In a weaker AFC North, the Ravens will be able to rack up wins like it’s nothing, and Jackson’s ability to lead the team to greatness will be on full display. With an incredible season and stats to back it up, Jackson will be the 2025-2026 MVP.

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Jared Verse, Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams

I predicted that Jared Verse would win Defensive Rookie of the Year last year, and he did just that. This year, I see Verse taking home the real trophy: DPOY. His four-and-a-half sacks, 11 tackles-for-loss, and two forced fumbles made him a menace to opposing teams. I firmly believe that Verse’s verse-atility will allow him to blossom into a more dominant and forceful player than last year. Since the Rams are in the second-weakest NFC division, the NFC West, Verse should easily achieve defensive stardom this year by winning his first DPOY.

Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY): Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, New York Giants

The safest prediction here would be either Ja’Marr Chase or Ceedee Lamb. I, however, envision something great for the Giants and Malik Nabers. Despite quarterback troubles and a shaky offense in the stacked NFC East, Malik Nabers caught seven touchdowns, garnered over 1200 receiving yards, and snagged 109 receptions, all in just 15 games. With an improved roster and quarterback situation, barring any injuries, Nabers’ floor can only go up. The last Louisiana State University wide receiver to win OPOY was Justin Jefferson in 2022; Nabers will be the next.

Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY): Abdul Carter, Linebacker, New York Giants

My expectations are high for the Giants this year, and defensive end Abdul Carter, my pick for DROY, is a massive part of that. In Carter’s three years at Pennsylvania State University, he collected 23 sacks, 41 tackles-for-loss, and five forced fumbles. Last year alone, he had 12 sacks, 24 tackles-for-loss, and two forced fumbles, and was selected as a unanimous All-American. Carter is joining an already great defense, with stars like Brian Burns and Dexter “Sexy Dexy” Lawrence II, so he’ll be able to learn a lot from these vets. He’s got the star power and he’s got a roster that can support him, so I see nothing stopping Carter from taking home DROY.

Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY): Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

You may be asking yourself: How in the world is Joey not choosing Ashton Jeanty? Well, I’m not very excited for the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive line, and I certainly think there will be growing pains for the rookie running back in his first NFL season. His situation signals that there will be some level of struggle, while many other rookies signal opportunities galore. Enter Emeka Egbuka: a 6-foot-1 wide receiver from The Ohio State University. Egbuka had over 1000 receiving yards in his senior season, with 81 receptions and 10 touchdowns. What stands out for Egbuka is his immediate opportunity to thrive under gunslinging quarterback Baker Mayfield, as he’s already listed as the WR3, with the chance to become the WR2 on the depth chart if receiver Chris Godwin doesn’t suit up the first few weeks. Mike Evans, a longtime veteran receiver for the Buccaneers, is also nearing retirement, so Mayfield may look to young receivers like Egbuka to establish a new quarterback-receiver relationship. Buy in on the Egbuka hype before everyone else — he will be the OROY.

Comeback Player of the Year (CPOY): Daniel Jones, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

Since 2018, the CPOY has always been a quarterback; it seems to be written in stone. So what quarterback options do we have? J.J. McCarthy and Dak Prescott are two frontrunners being thrown out there, but the dark horse lies in Indianapolis. Daniel Jones is a polarizing player, for sure, who faced injuries, was cut from the Giants, and bounced around in search of a starting role. The Colts drafted Anthony Richardson, the biggest bust since JaMarcus Russell, so Jones took the starting job without any real competition. With a new start, a solid offensive line, and new weapons, I can see Jones taking the league by surprise and taking home CPOY.

Coach of the Year (COTY): Mike Vrabel, Coach, New England Patriots

The Patriots are starting the season with a brand new head coach, who was able to succeed during his tenure in Tennessee, with four winning seasons and a first-seed ranking in the 2022 playoffs. On top of this, New England has found its quarterback in Drake Maye, who now has Stefon Diggs, a veteran wide receiver who can help him develop. Similarly, New England’s roster is young and can learn much from Vrabel’s time with the Titans. A strong draft class this year leads me to believe that this team can sneak into the playoffs or become far better in the process. With Vrabel spearheading this squad, he’ll make his case for COTY loud and clear.

Protector of the Year (POTY): Lane Johnson, Tackle, Philadelphia Eagles

A new award the NFL is introducing is the Protector of the Year award, which goes to the most outstanding offensive lineman. While the Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell is the frontrunner for this award, the Eagles’ Lane Johnson has been one of the most consistent linemen for over seven years. The Eagles have a stronger opportunity to succeed in a weaker NFC East, at least in comparison to the now stacked NFC North that the Lions compete in. While I believe that Sewell will be a better lineman this season, I feel the committee will see Johnson as the winner if the Eagles remain a Super Bowl contender by the season’s end. Whether deserving or not, Johnson is your POTY.