The exhibitions are within the rear-view mirror and we’re on to the 2022 common season. Earlier than the motion actually kicks off between the Payments and Rams within the opener on Sept. 8, we right here at CBS Sports activities must name our pictures. The NFL workers has come collectively and made its predictions for numerous awards that’ll be handed out previous to Tremendous Bowl LVII and we’re about to disclose them beneath.
Whereas a few of these are straight-up predictions for the awards, others spotlight some good worth on the betting market, supplying you with a extra well-rounded take a look at the place a number of the video games greatest stars stand getting into the 12 months. Earlier than we get began, here is a rundown on the workers members making the picks: Decide Six Podcast host Will Brinson; Senior NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson; workers writers John Breech, Jared Dubin, Jordan Dajani, Josh Edwards, Shanna McCarriston, Tyler Sullivan, and Cody Benjamin.
All NFL odds are through Caesars Sportsbook.
Key MVP odds
Brinson: Trey Lance (+3000). Why not? Second-year QB who sat out a season studying behind a veteran now will get to play in a QB-friendly offense with a high-level play-caller and tons of weapons who can explode once you get them the ball in house. Sounds rather a lot just like the Chiefs and Mahomes a couple of years in the past. And in case your argument is Lance runs an excessive amount of, Lamar’s 2019 season checks some packing containers too.
Dajani: Justin Herbert (+900). A particular passer that’s simply getting higher. With an improved roster, he might be proper within the thick of the MVP combine all 12 months lengthy.
Edwards: Tom Brady (+900). It will not be a shock if Tampa Bay gained the NFC. Narratives usually play a task in award outcomes and Brady enjoying his potential closing season at 45 years previous shouldn’t be ignored. In the meantime, the AFC might cannibalize itself with the entire expertise.
Wilson: Justin Herbert (+900). He will make a legit case as the perfect participant within the league. Higher than Mahomes, Allen, Brady or Rodgers.
Dubin: Josh Allen (+700). He had a reasonably good case in every of the final two seasons, and I believe that is the 12 months he lastly breaks by way of because the Payments take management of an extremely robust AFC. The choices Buffalo has personnel-wise will unleash the perfect model of Allen we have seen thus far.
McCarriston: Allen (+700). Allen has made his mark within the league and it’s his time to get the regular-season MVP honor. He is been within the dialog earlier than, however I believe this 12 months he’ll just do that rather more to get the award. He has the broad receivers, the expertise and the succesful head coach, all components that may make for an MVP-level season. The Payments actually ought to’ve already been to a Tremendous Bowl with Allen main the offense, if not gained one already, and I believe the drive to excel this season will push Allen additional than he has been earlier than.
Benjamin: Justin Herbert (+900). Nobody has a greater, extra full supporting solid on each side of the ball, a minimum of on paper. And he is already obtained all of the bodily instruments.
Sullivan: Patrick Mahomes (+800). Even with the departure of Tyreek Hill, Mahomes continues to be going to place up his numbers. I additionally nonetheless see the Chiefs as the favourite within the AFC West. So, if he is ready to nonetheless produce to the extent that we have grown accustomed to and goes by way of the gauntlet of his division, I do not see why Mahomes would not be on the forefront of the MVP dialog.
Breech: Josh Allen (+700). In some unspecified time in the future, somebody not named Aaron Rodgers goes to win this award and I believe that is going to occur this 12 months with Allen.
Offensive Rookie of the 12 months greatest bets
Brinson: George Pickens (+1000): That is an unattainable award to foretell this season, with so few quarterbacks and the odd locations a number of the studs ended up touchdown. Pickens appears like the true deal and if he sees legit reps for the Steelers might be a monster.
Dajani: Breece Corridor (+1100). With Zach Wilson’s struggles within the move recreation, New York will depend on the bottom recreation. This can give Corridor the chance to impress.
Edwards: Kenny Pickett (+900). As of this second, Pittsburgh has not named a starter at quarterback. Whereas Mitchell Trubisky is the possible end result, it might be unwise to disregard the first-round choice given the benefit quarterbacks have with regards to profitable award. Drake London and Treylon Burks might additionally put up huge numbers.
Wilson: Kenny Pickett (+900). This appeared like a foolish wager a couple of weeks in the past however he was a nice shock within the preseason and whereas I do not count on him to start out the season, I would not be shocked if he is underneath middle as quickly as Week 3.
Dubin: George Pickens (+1000). With no apparent quarterback or working again candidate, I am pivoting to a large receiver. I cherished Pickens pre-draft and the whole lot we have seen from him throughout coaching camp has solely confirmed my emotions about what sort of participant he’s.
McCarriston: George Pickens (+100). George Pickens is slated to have an enormous rookie season and regardless of the quarterback scenario not being settled but, based on head coach Mike Tomlin, I consider he could have an important 12 months. Pickens had an honest preseason and has impressed in coaching camp. Every part proper now could be pointing to Pickens having a highlight-worthy 12 months.
Benjamin: George Pickens (+1000). Kenny Pickett is the safer selection assuming he finally takes over at QB, however this man has the juice to be the following huge factor out broad.
Sullivan: Kenny Pickett (+900). It is solely a matter of time earlier than Pickett is known as Pittsburgh’s starter. By what we noticed in the course of the preseason, he appears able to ascend to QB1 proper now. Given his place, he’ll be a shoe-in to win this award as long as he sees the sector in comparatively quick order.
Breech: Romeo Doubs (+1400). Aaron Rodgers won’t win his third straight MVP, however he is seemingly nonetheless going to have an enormous season and Doubs goes to be the most important benefactor of that.
Defensive Rookie of the 12 months greatest bets
Brinson: Travon Walker (+850). One other robust award, however must go along with a move rusher right here. As such, I am going to take the younger man on my shock division winner, particularly since him going first total was such a win in the course of the draft. Go rushers are the straightforward picks right here and he will not face double groups with Allen on the town.
Dajani: Travon Walker (+850). A flexible move rusher who will get higher as his rookie season goes on.
Edwards: Kayvon Thibodeaux (+600). The preseason introduced a little bit of a scare when the Oregon product was lower blocked. In latest historical past, Defensive Rookie of the 12 months has gone to a participant with a minimum of 9 sacks. Thibodeaux is a dynamic expertise who can attain that threshold. The one concern is whether or not New York might be aggressive sufficient to pressure opponents to move late into video games.
Wilson: Aidan Hutchinson (+450). He has an opportunity to be particular, and he’ll be an essential piece to the Lions’ defensive position this season. If he can get to 9 sacks — and that feels eminently cheap — he’ll be in nice form for DROY.
Dubin: Sauce Gardner (+1200). This award often comes right down to sacks or picks. I suppose I am betting he has a flashier-looking interception complete than Aidan Hutchinson’s sack complete.
McCarriston: Travon Walker (+850). My choose for Defensive Rookie of the 12 months is Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Trayvon Walker. He was the No. 1 choose on this 12 months’s NFL Draft, so he clearly has the resume to again up his talents. Many No. 1 picks find yourself not dwelling as much as their anticipated potential, however his coaching camp and preseason performances present he’s rapidly adjusting to the NFL.
Benjamin: Aidan Hutchinson (+450). Sure, it is the secure choose, however he is obtained the grown-man energy to immediately headline Detroit’s beforehand quiet move rush.
Sullivan: George Karlaftis (+2000). A little bit of an extended shot right here, however the first spherical choose is enjoying on a group that might be within the thick of the AFC playoff race all season and may put up some respectable sack numbers. That is an ideal recipe to win this award.
Breech: Sauce Gardner (+1200). Sauce already has his personal sauce at Buffalo Wild Wings and fairly quickly he’ll be capable of eat his sauce out of the rookie of the 12 months trophy he will get as a result of he’ll win the award.
Defensive Participant of the 12 months greatest bets
Brinson: Derwin James (+5000). Sometimes talking you’ll want to submit sack numbers to win this award, however Derwin has such an unimaginable all-around recreation it would not be stunning in any respect if he ended up netting some {hardware} with a completely wholesome season on a Chargers group that wins 12+ video games.
Dajani: Micah Parsons (+1000). The Penn State product will show that his rookie marketing campaign was no fluke.
Edwards: Myles Garrett (+750). Garrett has had a minimum of 10 sacks in every of the previous 4 seasons, together with 16 a 12 months in the past. It’s a very aggressive award with Aaron Donald all the time being an element, T.J. Watt’s dominance and Micah Parsons’ rise to prominence.
Dubin: Aaron Donald (+700). Donald is not only the perfect defensive participant, however greatest total participant within the NFL. As I say yearly once we do that train, I’ll choose him for DPOY each season till that’s not clearly true. Any individual else would possibly win, however he would be the league’s most impactful defender.
McCarriston: Myles Garrett (+750). I went backwards and forwards on this one, however I’ll give it to Myles Garrett this season. He’ll make a big effect on an in any other case mediocre group and is their greatest defensive participant. He’s coming off a stable 12 months, touchdown in third for sacks within the league with 16 and I believe he’ll put up related numbers this season.
Benjamin: Joey Bosa (+2000). Brother Nick most likely will get much more love as of late, however now Joey has a motivated Khalil Mack on the opposite facet. Buckle up.
Sullivan: Maxx Crosby (+4000). One other lengthy shot, however in the event you’ve been following me this offseason you realize I have been banging the drum for Crosby. Final 12 months, he totaled a league-leading 101 pressures and solely completed with eight sacks. That looks like a large disparity, which must be corrected in 2022 with a better sack complete. It additionally helps that Las Vegas introduced in Chandler Jones to free him up much more.
Breech: Michah Parsons (+1000). This award ought to most likely be named after Aaron Donald as a result of he nearly all the time wins it, however I am not going to choose him this 12 months. As an alternative, I am going with Parsons, who’s arguably already the perfect defensive participant on the Cowboys’ roster proper now.
Comeback Participant of the 12 months greatest bets
Brinson: Christian McCaffrey (+900). Undecided why Derrick Henry is favored right here when CMC is more likely to hit the markers wanted to win the award. If he performs greater than 14 video games I believe he is obtained an important likelihood to lock this award down given what number of video games he is missed the final two years. Particularly when Matt Rhule must be determined to present him tons of touches.
Danjani: Derrick Henry +450. Final 12 months, the perfect working again within the NFL was on tempo to strategy 2,000 dashing yards for the second straight season earlier than his foot harm. Now again wholesome, he is once more going to have the chance to hold an offense. Henry led the league in rushes, yards and touchdowns in 2019 and 2020.
Edwards: Derrick Henry (+450). Henry has stayed wholesome for many of his profession. Final season’s harm should have followers and fantasy gamers alike on edge, however in comparison with different candidates and a comparatively mild workload in 2021, he’s going to have each alternative to win if out there in that offense.
Wilson: Baker Mayfield (+1000). He performs with a chip on his shoulder and when he is wholesome he could be efficient. The Panthers’ offensive line was upgraded within the offseason and if Christian McCaffrey can keep wholesome, Mayfield might be in place to assist Carolina surpass its over/underneath win complete of 6.5 video games.
Dubin: Christian McCaffrey (+900). If he can lastly keep wholesome, he’ll as soon as once more be fairly clearly the NFL’s most efficient working again. I believe that’ll be sufficient for this award.
McCarriston: Christian McCaffrey (+900). It is a threat, however I am going with Carolina Panthers working again Christian McCaffrey. He has a historical past of accidents, so clearly staying wholesome might be key, but when that’s doable I consider he’s slated for an enormous 12 months. McCaffrey has missed a lot time on account of harm lately, that when he’s on the sector I believe he’ll wish to make up for missed time.
Benjamin: Christian McCaffrey (+900). When he is wholesome, he is a game-changer. And Baker Mayfield might be leaning on him all 12 months as a security valve.
Sullivan: Christian McCaffrey (+900). There is a cause McCaffrey goes to go inside the highest 3 in your fantasy soccer drafts this summer season. If he is wholesome, he is probably the most deadly weapons within the NFL.
Breech: Christian McCaffrey (+900). When McCaffrey is wholesome, he is unstoppable and after battling accidents for 2 straight seasons, I believe McCaffrey will lastly keep wholesome this 12 months.
