Futures bets are always a great way to kick off any NFL season, something to track as the games go along and to flex your gambling acumen with on the rare hits. We've been talking some on the podcast and in previous blogs about who we expect to win some of the major awards and accomplishments for the upcoming 2022-2023 campaign, so we figured we'd put these picks onto the record.
MVP
Ted's Pick: Lamar MF Jackson. Call me a biased, call me what you will. Dude was the unanimous MVP three years ago, had the injury-decimated Ravens at 8-3 last season before his own season-ending injury, and has shown up to camp during a massive contract year in the best physical shape of his life.
His offensive line should be substantially better/healthier, which will allow him to settle in more as a passer. He's still got the wheels and I think the fuss about his receiving core is overblown. Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews are going to put up huge numbers en route to Lamar winning this award for a second time.
Kevin's Pick: I think I will go with the favorite, Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have added to their already deep offensive side of the football with solid guard Rodger Saffold and the sure handed slot receiver Jamison Crowder. This will to the explosive receiver play of All Pro Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, emerging Tight End Dawson Knox, as well as the run game featuring Devin Singletary and rookie James Cook.
But it is Allen that is the engine that makes the Buffalo machine run. His ability to throw from the pocket in addition to how he is utilized in the run game (sound familiar?!) that makes him so dangerous. Allen’s full complement of weapons, offensive line, scheme, and skill set should prime Buffalo for a long-awaited Super Bowl run.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Kevin's Pick: Going with a dark horse pick for this one, running back James Cook from Buffalo. Over the last few seasons, the Bills have had issues establishing the run outside of designed runs for Josh Allen (Devin Singletary is solid but unspectacular and Zack Moss is more of a red zone/power back coming off an injury I believe). The younger brother of Dalvin Cook, James only carried the ball 230 times in his four-year career at Georgia. Between the weakness at running back in Buffalo combined with the offensive juggernaut in Buffalo, I could see James Cook emerging as a ROY candidate.
Ted's Pick: I'm rolling with New Orleans' #1 pick Chris Olave for OROY. The 11th pick in the draft finds himself in an offense primed to put up big numbers. With experienced pros Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry also out wide with him, plus explosive pass-catching back Alvin Kamara in the mix, Olave should see some pretty favorable matchups through the season. Expect the aggressive Jameis Winston to find him early and often.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Ted's Pick: This was a tough one for me, but I'm going with Kayvon Thibodeaux. I think Thibodeaux was the most imposing defensive line prospect in the draft, but the concerns given some of his interests off the field are understandable. Money talks though, and I don't see Kayvon foregoing a very lucrative potential revenue stream in the NFL for some cryptos and NFT's. The Giants should be better than they're being given credit, and I think improved defensive line play will be a big part of that.
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| Kayvon Thiboxdeaux in his finest Subway suit |
Kevin's Pick: A much tougher choice, I will go with Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles. The First Team All SEC and Unanimous First Team All American from Georgia is already an elite run stopper and his elite level physical tools should allow him to develop his pass rushing ability at the next level. If voters can look past unspectacular sack numbers, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the mountainous Jordan Davis win the award.
Offensive Player of the Year
Kevin's Pick: A little homerism on this pick, but I will go with Lamar Jackson. The guy is too gifted in order to regress. It is the 2022 revenue tour for Lamar. He should once again eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark and I will believe he will eclipse the 4,000 passing yard mark. Combined with the return of All Pro tight end Mark Andrews, the emergence of second year receiver Rashod Bateman to go along with a revamped offensive line; Lamar Jackson will be primed to bounce back and lead the Ravens back to the postseason.
Ted's Pick: I foresee my #1 fantasy player Jonathan Taylor also winning Offensive Player of the Year. The Colts are a really talented team on both sides of the ball, which should help produce favorable game scripts for feeding their third year monster. Taylor had 2,171 all-purpose yards last season with substantially lesser quarterback play, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him surpass that number with relative ease this season.
Defensive Player of the Year
Ted's Pick: Joey Bosa's taking home the DPOY this season. The Chargers should be able to score at will on offense, which should give Bosa ample opportunities to get after the quarterback. The addition of Khalil Mack will take a ton of focus from opposing offensive lines too, giving the former Buckeye some of the easier matchups he'll have faced in his career. Anticipate him taking advantage on his way to bringing home this honor.
Kevin's Pick: Tough choice here; T.J. Watt is the new standard in terms of pass rusher in the NFL after he set the record with 22.5 in 2021. But it is too tough to repeat in a statistic like this, so I will go with one of the best pure pass rushers in the league in Myles Garrett. He was second in the league in 2021 in with 16 sacks and has not even hit his peak yet. The 26-year-old from Texas A&M has defensive player of the year talent, and 2022 is finally the year he wins it.
Coach of the Year
Kevin's Pick: Going out on the ultimate limb, I’ll give a shout out to Dan Campbell. His guys played hard for him week in and week out in 2021. With an improved talent base, slightly weaker division (Chicago could by vying for the number 1 pick and will Green Bay be the same minus Davante Adams, and a weak schedule (Jets, Giants, Commanders, Jaguars, Seahawks, Panthers, Bears twice), I could see the Lions winning 7-8 games and Dan Campbell taking home Coach of the Year.
Ted's Pick: This is the season that Kirk Cousins and the Vikings finally get it done in the NFC North. With longtime coach Mike Zimmer finally out of the way, newcomer Kevin O'Donnell inherits one of the most talent-heavy rosters in the league. With a heavy influx of defensive talent this offseason and an offense featuring names like Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen, the Vikings are going to squeak out the divisional title and earn O'Donnell the Coach of the Year.
First Coach Fired
Ted's Pick: This came down to two names here, but I anticipate Matt Rhule being the first coach let go this year. Mike McCarthy was also in play for this spot, being that both coaches are definitely on the hot seat, but the Panthers' schedule is much more challenging out the gate than Dallas'. I wouldn't be surprised to see Carolina start out somewhere in the ballpark of 1-6, resulting in a parting of ways with the former third year head coach.
Kevin's Pick: Easy choice, Matt Rhule This guy is a clown show and in way over his head at the NFL level. The Panthers have yet to figure out the quarterback situation (currently 0 for 2 with guys from the 2018 draft with Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield). Guaranteeing the Darnold contract site unseen does not seem like the wisest choice. I liked the first round pick of Ikem Ekwonu, in my opinion the best offensive lineman in college football this past season, as well as the addition of free agent center Brad Bozeman, adding to right tackle staple Taylor Moton to help bolster the offensive line. The key is what production does Carolina receive from former All Pro Running Christian McCaffery? He has missed 22 games over the last 2 seasons as he recovers from a myriad of injuries (high ankle sprain, hamstring, etc..). A fully healthy McCaffery is probably not quite enough to save the Panther offense, which in turn may cost Rhule his job.
Most Passing Yards
Kevin's Pick: I’m going with Justin Herbert. The runner up to Tom Brady in passing yards last season, the third year phenom out of Oregon is surrounded by solid in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, elite receiving back Austin Ekeler, and solid tight end Gerald Everett. Led by second year left tackle Rashawn Slater and center Corey Linsley, the Chargers have committed to protecting their all-world signal caller. With the Charger run defense still in the bottom third of the league, it will take the right arm of Justin Herbert to will the Chargers.
Ted's Pick: A ton of viable options here...but Justin Herbert is going to be the man leading the NFL in passing yards when it's all said and done. A solid set of receivers, sensational pass-catching RB Austin Ekeler and a division that should be competitive every week will keep Herbert working the ball around. After surprisingly coming in second in this category last season (behind 45 year old Tom Brady), Justin's rising to the top in 2022.
Most Rushing Yards
Ted's Pick: This one is always unpredictable given the short shelf-life of most running backs. I think it's Najee Harris' year to lead the league in rushing though. Mitchell Trubisky has shown before that he can guide a team to the playoffs through facilitating a strong running game in Chicago. The pass catchers in Pittsburgh are much better than he had there, and I trust Matt Canada much more to maximize his skillset over the likes of Matt Nagy.
All of this should lead to increased running room for Najee, who should be a workhouse in this offense despite rumors otherwise. The Steelers won't be an easy out for any team this season, and Harris will be a big part of that on his way to leading the NFL in yards on the ground.
Kevin's Pick: Going to predict a repeat champion here with Jonathan Taylor. The Colt offensive line is still elite lead by perennial All-Pro Quenton Nelson, and the quarterback play has improved with the addition of Matt Ryan. But the offense will still run through Taylor, the most complete back in football. He runs with excellent vision, finishes his runs, and is explosive (leading the league with 14 rushes of 20 plus yards) as well as carries with 332.
Most Receiving Yards
Kevin's Pick: Might be a bit of a “sleeper” pick, but I will go with Davante Adams. Reinvigorated and reunited with his college teammate Derek Carr in Las Vegas, Adams will help to put the Raiders offense over the top. Joining a core of Hunter Renfrow and All-Pro tight end Darren Waller, Davante should be able to continue to be at the apex of his career, after finishing second in receiving yards last season to Cooper Kupp.
Ted's Pick: Justin Jefferson finished with 1,616 yards in 2021, second in the league and 331 yards behind Cooper Kupp. Kupp was an anomaly though, showing chemistry with Matthew Stafford that's rarely seen between any teammates, let alone ones in their first season. There will likely be a slight regression there, especially with Allen Robinson joining the crew. Jefferson is still just emerging as a talent as far as I'm concerned, and will flex his evolving skillset as I predict he leads the league in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Most Sacks
Ted's Pick: My defensive player of the year Joey Bosa will lead the league in sacks on his way to the award. For all of the reasons I answered above.
Kevin's Pick: Myles Garrett, this is how he'll win DPOY.
Most Interceptions
Kevin's Pick: Tough choice here, but I will go with Xavien Howard. The two-time interceptions leader is in the prime of his career and should be reinvigorated on a newly revamped Dolphins roster. He is truly on of the elite corners in the league and is constantly around the football, I could see him leading the league once again.
Ted's Pick: Marcus Peters missed all of 2021 after suffering a torn ACL in training camp. The ballhawk is back and should be better then ever as a part of a Ravens secondary that should be as good as any in the league. After drafting Kyle Hamilton and signing Patrick Williams to protect over the top, Peters should have as many opportunities as ever to jump opposing quarterback's passes. He'll lead the league in INT's and pick 6's.
So there ya have it! Ted and Kevin's predictions for some of the major awards and statistical leaders in the NFL this upcoming season. Feel free to let us know what you agree with and opinions on where we went wrong. We'll be checking back on these in the coming months to see how well these guesses aged. Thanks for reading!
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@Choppinglines
Compliments to Correspondent Kev for research and input toward this article
*I own no rights to any images found in this blog
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