With the back-to-back reign champion Kansas City Chiefs beginning their quest for a third straight Lombardi Trophy tonight, how will the 105th NFL season go?
AP MVP: C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Houston Texans
In the last six seasons of the NFL, each of the winners have been repeat award winners, with Lamar Jackson earning his second nod last year. The cycle will end this season, as phenom C.J. Stroud will follow up his sensational rookie campaign, one which saw him finish top five in NFL history for a rookie quarterback. The Houston offense significantly improved, with the addition of running back Joe Mixon to a bottom 10 rushing offense and wide receiver Stefon Diggs to an already deep receiver room. Tight end Dalton Schultz and receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins all built a rapport with Stroud as a rookie, so the odds are it will only get stronger. Though there could be more film to play to Stroud’s weaknesses, I believe the weapons on that offense and the skill Stroud has will put him in the upper echelon of quarterbacks.
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Tyreek Hill, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
The runner up of the award last year will get the job done in 2024. Tyreek Hill was exceptional last season, finishing seventh all time in receiving yards in a single season. The Miami offense was explosive last season, with the resurgence of Raheem Mostert and the breakout of De’Von Achane. Despite the depth of Tua Tagovailoa’s toys, Hill was far and above his favorite. Hill’s bond with Tagovailoa has improved with each season and this could be the year he could break Calvin Johnson’s single season receiving yard record or contend for the triple crown. Either way, this award is Hill’s to lose this year.
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys
The saying second place is first loser will send Micah Parsons into a frenzy this season and it’s possible that he puts on a record breaking showing this year. Parsons has been a one-man wrecking crew for Dallas since his debut season, recording 13 or more sacks in each of his professional seasons. Though he earned the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, he has been denied the “big one” in his three seasons, finishing second in 2021 and 2022, while finishing third last year. Parsons wants to prove to owner Jerry Jones that he is worth a earth-shattering contract and the way to do that is win this award.
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Caleb Williams, Quarterback, Chicago Bears
Another Bears’ QB with high upside to be the savior Chicago has needed. It’s a story we’ve heard since what feels like the dawn of the NFL. It feels different this time. Any player who can draw comparison to Patrick Mahomes has the high expectation to be the best. Enter Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and first overall pick from this year’s draft. He enters a revamped offense, which is something past Chicago rookie quarterbacks hadn’t gotten to experience. The Bears front office pushed its chips to the center of the table, bringing in receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze and running back D’Andre Swift, to join the Chicago staples of last year DJ Moore and Cole Kmet. Most of the other rookie quarterbacks, of both this year and prior seasons, don’t enter the league in such an excellent position, and Williams will thrive with the supporting cast around him.
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Detroit Lions
The Lions were a breakout team last season, falling just short of their first Super Bowl appearance. Detroit’s Achilles heel was defense against the pass, allowing fourth most yards last year. The Lions were wise, adding former Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold to patrol the passing lanes. He is going to be a day one starter and he proved that he is a ball hawk, latching onto six interceptions in his two seasons in Tuscaloosa. While teammate Aidan Hutchison fell short of hauling the award a couple season ago, Arnold will intercept the award from his draftmates and potentially lead Detroit to the promised land.
Super Bowl Winner: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens had a 12-season gap between previous Super Bowl victories. This year is the 12th season since Baltimore’s last, so will history repeat itself? The Ravens will, but not due to history. With the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson back at the helm, Baltimore’s offensive production shouldn’t decrease. Jackson led his team to the AFC Championship game last season, falling just short of the eventual champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. This high-powered, run-first offense added Derrick Henry, a bulldozer of a running back who has produced six straight seasons of double digit rushing touchdowns. Baltimore still possesses one of the league’s better defenses and with head coach John Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, rejoining the NFL as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, what better way to remind him who the better brother is than leading his squad to his second Super Bowl victory.
All stats are from ESPN and NFL as of September 4.
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