The NFL season is fast approaching. We are now less than three weeks away from the first regular season game. With a new season comes excitement and expectations for teams and players. Instead of predicting the popular choices for NFL awards, here are some dark horse NFL awards candidates for the upcoming season.
Most Valuable Player – QB Kirk Cousins
The Minnesota Vikings finished 13-4 last season. They were led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, who finished the season with 4,547 yards and 29 touchdowns. Despite finishing fourth in the league in yards and fifth in touchdowns, Cousins finished outside the top six in MVP voting. Meanwhile, teammate Justin Jefferson finished fifth in MVP voting. The NFC has only gotten weaker with quarterback Aaron Rodgers being traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets. A weaker division and conference should theoretically help the Vikings win another division title and contend for a top seed in the NFC. If the Vikings have similar team success this season, and Cousins puts up similar or even better numbers, he could find himself winning his first MVP award.
Offensive Player of the Year – WR Calvin Ridley
Calvin Ridley missed all of last season after being suspended for gambling. Prior to that, he sat out most of the 2021 season for mental health reasons. In 2020 though, Ridley finished sixth in the league in receiving yards. Ridley is still only 28 years old and is now teaming up with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence is coming off of a strong second season, and the two could quickly become one of the league’s best QB-WR duos. If that’s the case, Ridley could become the third wide receiver in a row, and fourth in the last five years to win Offensive Player of the Year.
Calvin down there somewhere ?@CalvinRidley1 | @Dream_Finders pic.twitter.com/CCHw9nzxiI
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 16, 2023
Defensive Player of the Year – LB Jaelan Phillips
Jaelan Phillips was one of two first-round draft picks by the Miami Dolphins in 2021. Phillips has had a productive first two seasons, posting a total of 15.5 sacks and 62 quarterback pressures. Phillips finished seventh in the league last year with 25 quarterback hits. However, fans, coaches, and Phillips himself believe there is more production coming. Phillips is now playing under defensive guru Vic Fangio. He will also have a full season with teammate Bradley Chubb take away some double teams. The 24 year old is in the midst of his best training camp. By all reports, Phillips has been nearly unblockable during team drills and joint practices. Phillips is a prime candidate for a breakout season and could log his first double-digit sack season. With a new defensive scheme better suited for his skillset, Phillips is a perfect dark horse candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
.@MiamiDolphins @JJPhillips15 Was the best defensive player on the field in this epic playoff game. If Phillips was a stock I would be loading up! #FinsUp #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/G1j6PkZ1lP
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 18, 2023
Offensive Rookie of the Year – WR Cedric Tillman
The Cleveland Browns have a dynamic trio of QB Deshaun Watson, WR Amari Cooper, and RB Nick Chubb. They also added WR Elijah Moore from the New York Jets this offseason. With all the defensive attention focused on Chubb, Cooper, and Moore, the Browns need someone to step up and take advantage of one-on-one coverage. That’s where rookie Cedric Tillman comes in. Tillman was drafted in the third round this past year out of Tennessee. Tillman has been turning heads throughout camp and the preseason. He is in prime position to win the WR3 job. If that’s the case, he will be set up for a lot of success during the regular season. Defensive opposition has to stack the box against the Browns to try and slow down Chubb, which leaves a lot of one-on-one coverage on the outside. Tillman will often be up against lesser opposition thanks to Cooper and Moore drawing the top corners. If Tillman can take advantage of the mismatches, look out. The 6’3″ wide receiver is a great dark horse Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
? DTR TO CED ?@DoriansTweets | @Ctillman04 pic.twitter.com/MGS4WUskc1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 17, 2023
Defensive Rookie of the Year – DB Brian Branch
The Detroit Lions were one of the surprise teams last year. Led by head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions finished the season with a 9-8 record. Unfortunately, the Lions narrowly missed out on the playoffs. A major reason for that was their weak defense. The Lions’ defense gave up the third most points, the most yards, the third most passing yards, and eighth most passing touchdowns. To try and address that issue, the Lions drafted DB Brian Branch in the second round out of Alabama. Branch totaled four interceptions and 23 pass defenses in his three-year collegiate career. If Branch can sure up the secondary as a rookie, and the Lions find themselves in playoff hunt once again, he could be a dark horse candidate to take home Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"Brian Branch can play anywhere and he can do anything for you" ~ @KirkHerbstreit #PMSLive #OnePride pic.twitter.com/S1u7beJ0Hi
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 14, 2023
Coach of the Year – Frank Reich
Frank Reich is entering his sixth season as a head coach, and first with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are in arguably the weakest division in football and will be led by rookie QB Bryce Young. Reich has previously been deemed as a bit of a quarterback whisperer, thanks to his ability to get the best out of Carson Wentz during their time in Philadelphia. Young was the top draft pick this past year, so Reich has a lot of talent to work with. If Reich can lead his rookie QB and young Panthers team to a division title, or even a wild card berth in the weak NFC, he would be at the top of the list as Coach of the Year candidates.
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Featured image credit: Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
