2020 NFL Award Predictions
While multiple associations will crown their own award winners, the awards handed out at the NFL Honors and voted on by the Associated Press are the ones that go down in the record books. All of these awards below are voted on by a panel of 50 members of the AP who regularly cover the NFL. Our consensus 2020 NFL award predictions were voted on by the entire PFN staff.
2020 NFL MVP Prediction: Patrick Mahomes
Our first 2020 NFL award prediction begins with the NFL MVP. The MVP award has essentially become an award for the top quarterback, with seven straight QBs taking home the award. Just once in the last 13 years, and three times in this decade, have we seen anyone other than a QB take home the award. With so much high-quality young QB play right now, it is hard to imagine that changing.
Related | Breaking down the Patrick Mahomes contract extension
Had it not been for his injury in 2019, we could be talking about Mahomes as the MVP in three-straight years. Entering his fourth year in the league and third as a starter, Mahomes has taken the league by storm. Through two seasons, his touchdown percentage sits at an impressive 6.9% while averaging over eight yards per attempt.
Runners-up: Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson
2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Prediction: Patrick Mahomes
In the last 10 years, the MVP has also been named Offensive Player of the League six times. Generally, it has taken another offensive player breaking a record in order to wrestle the award from the MVP, much like how Michael Thomas did in 2019.
Mahomes did the award double in 2018 and is more than capable of doing it again in 2020. After signing a massive 10-year contract extension, look for Mahomes to demonstrate exactly why he got that deal this season. That’s just one reason why Mahomes takes two spots in our 2020 NFL award predictions.
Runners-up: Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray
2020 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Prediction: Nick Bosa
This award is generally competed for by players that affect the passing game heavily, be that defensive tackles or edge rushers. 2019 saw the first win by a cornerback since 2009 and the second time the position has won the award in this century. With five of the last six awards having been won by the defensive line, it is likely the award heads back in that direction this season.
Bosa, who took home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2019, burst onto the scene with nine sacks, 25 QB hits, and 16 tackles for loss. He does not need to see much growth in those numbers in 2020 to be in the consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020.
Runners-up: Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt
2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Prediction: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Our 2020 NFL award predictions come to a close with the rookies of the year. We’ll begin on the offensive side. The last five years have seen three running backs and two quarterbacks take home this award. For a receiver to win it, they need to have a massive impact, alongside the type of impact we saw Odell Beckham have in 2014 to take home the award.
This year is potentially set to be a shootout between two former LSU Tigers. Edwards-Helaire has an opportunity to catch multiple headlines lining up in an offense marshaled by Mahomes. If Helaire can bring the Chiefs running game up to the standard of that passing attack, then he has a great chance.
Related | When to draft CeeDee Lamb in fantasy in 2020
However, look out for a number of rookies who should see early playing time this season, including Joe Burrow, CeeDee Lamb, Johnathan Taylor, Justin Jefferson, and Cam Akers.
Runners-up: Joe Burrow, CeeDee Lamb
2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Prediction: Chase Young
It’s time to shift our 2020 NFL award prediction for rookie of the year to the defensive side of the ball. This award is often about simply receiving the opportunity to make a name for yourself. We have seen players from all three levels of the defense take home the glory in the past five years, but with impact in the passing game once again taking precedent.
Chase Young fits that mold of a player that should impact the passing game in Washington, and is the reason why he’s the winner in this 2020 NFL award prediction. However, with Nick Bosa having set the expectations for a second-overall pick last season, Young may need to either match or top Bosa’s 2019 season to win the award.
Behind him, there are a number of options that should see plenty of time on the field in 2020, including multiple cornerbacks and two linebackers who could see 80% or more of the snaps for their team in Patrick Queen and Isaiah Simmons.
Runners-up: Isaiah Simmons, Patrick Queen
2020 NFL Coach of the Year Prediction: Mike McCarthy
This 2020 NFL award prediction is always intriguing. Will it simply be the coach that did the best job in terms of record? Or will it be a little more nuanced than that, taking numerous circumstances into account.
McCarthy enters a Dallas Cowboys organization that has been seen as perennial failures under Jason Garrett. If McCarthy can get the Cowboys playing attractive football and in the contest for the top seed in the NFC, then this award could be heading down to Dallas in 2020.
Runners-up: Frank Reich, Bruce Arians
2020 NFL Season Awards Betting Perspective by PFN’s Chris Smith
- Patrick Mahomes is MVP front runner at +400 & +700 favorite for Offensive Player of the Year
- Nick Bosa is currently +1300 to win Defensive Player of the Year
- Mike McCarthy is currently +1300 to win Coach of the Year
Thank you for reading PFN’s 2020 NFL Season and Award Predictions! Looking for more bets? Click here for all of the PFN Betting Team’s 2020 wagers.
Page 1: AFC Season Predictions
Page 2: NFC Season Predictions
Page 3: NFL Awards Predictions