Winning an individual NFL award is one of the highest accomplishments an athlete or coach can chase, and they are often bestowed when expectations are met or odds are overcome. Could young rookies live up to the hype and take home Rookie of the Year honors? Perhaps a new coach transforms a team or a key defender returns from injury better than expected. Who has the best shot of winning an award on each NFC West team in 2024?
This includes Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
Every NFC West Team’s Best Shot at an Award This NFL Season
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., Offensive Rookie of the Year
Equipped with a high ceiling and famous NFL bloodlines, Marvin Harrison Jr. has a strong chance of becoming the Arizona Cardinals’ first Offensive Rookie of the Year wide receiver since Anquan Boldin in 2003.
Harrison immediately catapults to the conversation of WR1 in Glendale, Ariz. His chances of claiming OROY will especially grow if quarterback Kyler Murray plays a full 17-game season.
Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, Defensive Rookie of the Year
I have a strong feeling last season’s top defensive rookies — Byron Young and Kobie Turner — will draw the most attention in the trenches, which only swings the door open for Jared Verse to wreak havoc.
Promoted DC Chris Shula, who has a linebackers coach background, also helps Verse and gives him an advantage in knowing how to be utilized. With his snap explosion and tenacity, Verse is due to become a new Von Miller in L.A.
San Francisco 49ers: Talanoa Hufanga, Comeback Player of the Year
The 2022 Pro Bowler is our final candidate for CPOY. Talanoa Hufanga was on his way to matching his interception numbers from that 2022 season before tearing his ACL on Nov. 19.
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When he’s on the field, Hufanga gives the San Francisco 49ers an instinctive defender in coverage who can additionally blow up plays near the line of scrimmage.
Seattle Seahawks: Mike Macdonald, Coach of the Year
The new head coach is taking over a playoff roster featuring Pro Bowlers at quarterback and wide receiver. If Mike Macdonald produces a playoff run or even a division title, he’ll be the favorite for COY.