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Season Predictions

2023 NFL season predictions: Picks to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookies of the Year

NOTE: All betting lines -- listed alongside each player's name -- are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and are current as of 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Rank
1
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs · QB · +600

(14 votes: Baca, Band, Bhanpuri, Cersosimo, Filice, Gordon, Hanzus, Holzman-Escareno, Jones-Drew, Rank, Reuter, Ross, Sessler, Shook.)


2) Joe Burrow (+700) | 6 votes: Battista, Chadiha, Kownack, Parr, Patra, Zierlein.

T-3) Justin Herbert (+950) | 4 votes: Edholm, Florio, Magdziuk, Rosenthal.

T-3) Jalen Hurts (+900) | 4 votes: Gonzales, Grant, Mariucci, Walker.

T-5) Josh Allen (+750) | 3 votes: Abdoo, Okada, Schein.

T-5) Aaron Rodgers (+1500) | 3 votes: Bergman, Blair, Frazier.


Why Maurice Jones-Drew chose Patrick Mahomes: He's been the best player in football over the last half-decade. As long as he's healthy -- or until another player unseats him -- Mahomes is going to be the favorite for all the hardware and in all the games.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Rank
1
Christian McCaffrey
San Francisco 49ers · RB · +1100

(7 votes: Abdoo, Edholm, Filice, Mariucci, Parr, Patra, Walker.)


2) Ja'Marr Chase | (+1100) | 6 votes: Battista, Blair, Florio, Grant, Holzman-Escareno, Ross.

3) Justin Jefferson | (+1200) | 4 votes: Baca, Bergman, Gordon, Schein.

4) Tyreek Hill | (+1800) | 3 votes: Band, Chadiha, Gonzales.

T-5) Justin Fields | (+2200) | 2 votes: Bhanpuri, Magdziuk.

T-5) Jalen Hurts | (+2500) | 2 votes: Reuter, Sessler.

T-5) Aaron Rodgers | (+3000) | 2 votes: Frazier, Zierlein.

T-5) Garrett Wilson | (+2500) | 2 votes: Hanzus, Kownack.

T-9) Joe Burrow | (+2000) | 1 vote: Rank.

T-9) Derrick Henry | (+2000) | 1 vote: Cersosimo.

T-9) Lamar Jackson | (+2200) | 1 vote: Jones-Drew.

T-9) Travis Kelce | (+2500) | 1 vote: Okada.

T-9) Chris Olave | (+4000) | 1 vote: Rosenthal.

T-9) Tua Tagovailoa | (+4500) | 1 vote: Shook.


Why Eric Edholm chose Christian McCaffrey: This award often goes to the best non-QB. If McCaffrey can stay healthy and produce at the same per-game level he did with the 49ers last season following the trade, he could push for a 2,000-yard all-purpose campaign with double-digit TDs. Teams have had all offseason to draw up better game plans for Brock Purdy, so McCaffrey could be an even more critical part of this offense in 2023.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Rank
1
Micah Parsons
Dallas Cowboys · LB · +450

(19 votes: Baca, Battista, Bergman, Blair, Chadiha, Edholm, Filice, Grant, Holzman-Escareno, Kownack, Mariucci, Okada, Parr, Patra, Reuter, Rosenthal, Ross, Walker, Zierlein.)


2) T.J. Watt (+700) | 7 votes: Band, Cersosimo, Gordon, Jones-Drew, Magdziuk, Rank, Schein.

3) Myles Garrett (+600) | 3 votes: Abdoo, Hanzus, Shook.

4) Nick Bosa (+1100) | 2 votes: Florio, Gonzales.

T-5) Sauce Gardner (+1200) | 1 vote: Sessler.

T-5) Roquan Smith (+4000) | 1 vote: Frazier.

T-5) Pat Surtain II (+4000) | 1 vote: Bhanpuri.


Why Jeffri Chadiha chose Micah Parsons: Parsons has been one of the league's most disruptive defenders in each of his first two pro campaigns. His penchant for game-changing plays and devastating sacks will earn him the hardware in Year 3.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Rank
1
Bijan Robinson
Atlanta Falcons · RB · +275

(26 votes: Abdoo, Band, Battista, Bhanpuri, Chadiha, Edholm, Filice, Frazier, Gonzales, Gordon, Grant, Holzman-Escareno, Jones-Drew, Magdziuk, Mariucci, Okada, Parr, Patra, Rank, Reuter, Rosenthal, Schein, Sessler, Shook, Walker, Zierlein.)


T-2) Anthony Richardson (+650) | 3 votes: Blair, Florio, Hanzus.

T-2 Bryce Young (+450) | 3 votes: Cersosimo, Kownack, Ross.

T-4) Zay Flowers (+1600) | 1 vote: Bergman.

T-4) Jahmyr Gibbs (+1000) | 1 vote: Baca.


Why Judy Battista chose Bijan Robinson: The Falcons ran the ball quite often last season -- finishing third in rushing yards -- and that was before they spent a top-10 pick on a back, so there is no reason to think they will abandon that strategy now that they can line up Robinson behind one of the game's better offensive lines. Combine that with Robinson's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and beat defenders in space, and the new face of the Falcons will be the first running back to win this award since Saquon Barkley in 2018.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Rank
1
Jalen Carter
Philadelphia Eagles · DT · +500

(12 votes: Band, Florio, Frazier, Grant, Hanzus, Jones-Drew, Kownack, Magdziuk, Okada, Ross, Schein, Walker.)


2) Will Anderson Jr. (+500) | 11 votes: Battista, Blair, Cersosimo, Chadiha, Edholm, Gonzales, Holzman-Escareno, Patra, Rank, Reuter, Zierlein.

3) Brian Branch (+3000) | 3 votes: Bhanpuri, Filice, Rosenthal.

T-4) Will McDonald IV (+2500) | 2 votes: Gordon, Parr.

T-4) Joey Porter Jr. (+2200) | 2 votes: Sessler, Shook.

T-6) Deonte Banks (+2200) | 1 vote: Abdoo.

T-6) Emmanuel Forbes (+1500) | 1 vote: Bergman.

T-6) Nolan Smith (+2000) | 1 vote: Baca.

T-6) Devon Witherspoon (+700) | 1 vote: Mariucci.


Why Mike Band chose Jalen Carter: Not often does a rookie talent like Carter join an already loaded unit like the Eagles' defensive front. With Javon Hargrave now in San Francisco, Carter will see plenty of opportunities early on as a pass rusher. I went with Carter over Will Anderson Jr., specifically, because I expect Philadelphia to be playing with a lead far more regularly than Houston, thus giving the Eagles rookie a whole bunch of snaps to really pin his ears back and get after the quarterback.

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Rank
1
Damar Hamlin
Buffalo Bills · S

(22 votes: Abdoo, Band, Battista, Bergman, Bhanpuri, Edholm, Florio, Gordon, Hanzus, Holzman-Escareno, Kownack, Magdziuk, Okada, Parr, Patra, Rank, Reuter, Rosenthal, Sessler, Shook, Walker, Zierlein.)


2) Calvin Ridley | 6 votes: Cersosimo, Chadiha, Filice, Grant, Jones-Drew, Schein.

3) Lamar Jackson | 2 votes: Blair, Ross.

T-4) Odell Beckham Jr. | 1 vote: Frazier.

T-4) Breece Hall | 1 vote: Mariucci.

T-4) John Metchie III | 1 vote: Baca.

T-4) Tua Tagovailoa | 1 vote: Gonzales.


*Caesars Sportsbook & Casino didn't offer betting lines on Comeback Player of the Year at publishing.


Why Nick Shook chose Damar Hamlin: Obviously, it would have been perfectly understandable if Hamlin had decided to retire after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field at Paycor Stadium last season. Instead, he’s returning to the field to finish the job he started years earlier. That determination alone makes this choice easy.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Rank
1
New York Jets' head coach Robert Saleh speaks to reporters at the NFL football team's training facility in Florham Park, N.J., Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Robert Saleh
New York Jets · +1600

(7 votes: Bhanpuri, Blair, Cersosimo, Chadiha, Mariucci, Parr, Zierlein.)


2) Mike Tomlin (+1800) | 5 votes: Band, Filice, Hanzus, Kownack, Ross.

3) Dan Campbell (+1000) | 4 votes: Battista, Okada, Reuter, Walker.

T-4) Matt LaFleur (+1400) | 3 votes: Bergman, Gordon, Patra.

T-4) Doug Pederson (+1500) | 3 votes: Grant, Holzman-Escareno, Jones-Drew.

T-6) Mike McDaniel (+1800) | 2 votes: Gonzales, Shook.

T-6) Arthur Smith (+1000) | 2 votes: Abdoo, Sessler.

T-6) Brandon Staley (+2200) | 2 votes: Florio, Frazier.

T-9) Matt Eberflus (+1300) | 1 vote: Magdziuk.

T-9) Sean Payton (+1200) | 1 vote: Edholm.

T-9) Ron Rivera (+4000) | 1 vote: Rosenthal.

T-9) DeMeco Ryans (+2000) | 1 vote: Baca.

T-9) Kyle Shanahan (+3000) | 1 vote: Schein.

T-9) Zac Taylor (+2200) | 1 vote: Rank.


Why Steve Mariucci chose Robert Saleh: After inheriting a two-win, talent-poor team in 2021, Saleh now has the Jets in position to make major waves in 2023. Embodying the personality of this group, the passionate head man is poised to lead the franchise back to the postseason for the first time since the 2010 campaign and earn much-deserved recognition for helping turn it around in just three seasons at the helm.

EACH ANALYST'S BALLOT

Table inside Article
AnalystMVPOPOYDPOYOROYDROYComebackCoach
Keegan AbdooJosh AllenChristian McCaffreyMyles GarrettBijan RobinsonDeonte BanksDamar HamlinArthur Smith
Michael BacaPatrick MahomesJustin JeffersonMicah ParsonsJahmyr GibbsNolan SmithJohn Metchie IIIDeMeco Ryans
Mike BandPatrick MahomesTyreek HillT.J. WattBijan RobinsonJalen CarterDamar HamlinMike Tomlin
Judy BattistaJoe BurrowJa'Marr ChaseMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Damar HamlinDan Campbell
Jeremy BergmanAaron RodgersJustin JeffersonMicah ParsonsZay FlowersEmmanuel ForbesDamar HamlinMatt LaFleur
Ali BhanpuriPatrick MahomesJustin FieldsPat Surtain IIBijan RobinsonBrian BranchDamar HamlinRobert Saleh
Tom BlairAaron RodgersJa'Marr ChaseMicah ParsonsAnthony RichardsonWill Anderson Jr.Lamar JacksonRobert Saleh
Brooke CersosimoPatrick MahomesDerrick HenryT.J. WattBryce YoungWill Anderson Jr.Calvin RidleyRobert Saleh
Jeffri ChadihaJoe BurrowTyreek HillMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Calvin RidleyRobert Saleh
Eric EdholmJustin HerbertChristian McCaffreyMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Damar HamlinSean Payton
Gennaro FilicePatrick MahomesChristian McCaffreyMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonBrian BranchCalvin RidleyMike Tomlin
Michael F. FlorioJustin HerbertJa'Marr ChaseNick BosaAnthony RichardsonJalen CarterDamar HamlinBrandon Staley
Leslie FrazierAaron RodgersAaron RodgersRoquan SmithBijan RobinsonJalen CarterOdell Beckham Jr.Brandon Staley
Christian GonzalesJalen HurtsTyreek HillNick BosaBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Tua TagovailoaMike McDaniel
Grant GordonPatrick MahomesJustin JeffersonT.J. WattBijan RobinsonWill McDonald IVDamar HamlinMatt LaFleur
Marcas GrantJalen HurtsJa'Marr ChaseMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonJalen CarterCalvin RidleyDoug Pederson
Dan HanzusPatrick MahomesGarrett WilsonMyles GarrettAnthony RichardsonJalen CarterDamar HamlinMike Tomlin
Anthony Holzman-EscarenoPatrick MahomesJa'Marr ChaseMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Damar HamlinDoug Pederson
Maurice Jones-DrewPatrick MahomesLamar JacksonT.J. WattBijan RobinsonJalen CarterCalvin RidleyDoug Pederson
Bobby KownackJoe BurrowGarrett WilsonMicah ParsonsBryce YoungJalen CarterDamar HamlinMike Tomlin
Michelle MagdziukJustin HerbertJustin FieldsT.J. WattBijan RobinsonJalen CarterDamar HamlinMatt Eberflus
Steve MariucciJalen HurtsChristian McCaffreyMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonDevon WitherspoonBreece HallRobert Saleh
Matt OkadaJosh AllenTravis KelceMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonJalen CarterDamar HamlinDan Campbell
Dan ParrJoe BurrowChristian McCaffreyMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonWill McDonald IVDamar HamlinRobert Saleh
Kevin PatraJoe BurrowChristian McCaffreyMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Damar HamlinMatt LaFleur
Adam RankPatrick MahomesJoe BurrowT.J. WattBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Damar HamlinZac Taylor
Chad ReuterPatrick MahomesJalen HurtsMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Damar HamlinDan Campbell
Gregg RosenthalJustin HerbertChris OlaveMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonBrian BranchDamar HamlinRon Rivera
Marc RossPatrick MahomesJa'Marr ChaseMicah ParsonsBryce YoungJalen CarterLamar JacksonMike Tomlin
Adam ScheinJosh AllenJustin JeffersonT.J. WattBijan RobinsonJalen CarterCalvin RidleyKyle Shanahan
Marc SesslerPatrick MahomesJalen HurtsSauce GardnerBijan RobinsonJoey Porter Jr.Damar HamlinArthur Smith
Nick ShookPatrick MahomesTua TagovailoaMyles GarrettBijan RobinsonJoey Porter Jr.Damar HamlinMike McDaniel
Brendan WalkerJalen HurtsChristian McCaffreyMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonJalen CarterDamar HamlinDan Campbell
Lance ZierleinJoe BurrowAaron RodgersMicah ParsonsBijan RobinsonWill Anderson Jr.Damar HamlinRobert Saleh

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