Predicting winners for the major NFL awards in the preseason is guesswork dressed up as analysis. Throw a dart while blindfolded, and youll likely have the same success rate. Nobody has played a snap, so all we have is offseason movement, roster changes, coaching hires and a few loud rumors. And my personal subjectivity. So take these for what they are: nothin but a good time. For each of the seven major awards (sorry, Walter Payton Man of the Year), Im laying out three picks: the chalk favorite everyone expects, a longshot worth watching and my own call. Some of those calls line up with the favorite. Others take a swing. Here is how the races look right now from my point of view.More: Heisman Trophy predictions, 7 candidates to win college footballs top award in 2026Most Valuable PlayerBuffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws a touchdown pass during the third quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesChalk: QB Josh Allen, Buffalo BillsAllen is the frontrunner of all frontrunners. He has cleared 500 rushing yards in five straight seasons and generated 12 rushing touchdowns in three straight seasons. Buffalo added DJ Moore to give him another target to bolster the pass attack, which saw Allen pass for just 25 TDs last year, his lowest total since 2019.Longshot: QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ersYou wont find Mr. Irrelevant high on the board. Purdy was second in the league in adjusted EPA per play and completion percentage over expected in an injury-shortened nine-game run last year and led the 49ers to a 7-2 record in his starts. SI has Purdy as a strong MVP contender despite the long odds.My pick: QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles ChargersEverything points up for the Oregon product in his third year under Jim Harbaugh and his first with Mike McDaniel calling plays. Keaton Mitchell adds a new gear in the backfield. The setup finally lines up for Herberts first MVP season.Offensive Player of the YearDec 22, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets safety Chuck Clark (36) tackles Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesChalk: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit LionsGibbs is the pick of the sharp crowd. The Alabama product ran for 1,223 yards in 2025 while carrying a heavier share of the Detroit backfield, and a healthy year with Sam LaPorta back puts the rushing title and this award in reach.Longshot: RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ersWhen healthy, McCaffrey is as dangerous as anyone here. Injuries have knocked him down the board, but a full season out of the backfield would put him right back in the mix.My pick: WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles RamsMatthew Stafford is coming off an MVP year, and Nacua is the engine of that passing game. A full healthy season produces the receiving totals voters reward. After a first-team All-Pro season, look for Nacua to claim his first NFL award.Defensive Player of the YearDec 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) reacts after a play during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn ImagesChalk: DE Myles Garrett, Los Angeles RamsGarrett is the reigning winner, and he set the official single-season sack record with 23 sacks while sweeping all 50 first-place votes. He now pairs with Stafford to give the Rams the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year on the same roster.Longshot: DE Jared Verse, Cleveland BrownsThe 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year came to Cleveland in the Garrett deal. Verse is now the focal point of the Browns young defense after back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, and only Micah Parsons and Garrett have logged more pressures since he entered the league.My pick: DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit LionsDetroit leans heavily on the Michigan product, and he should be hitting his prime. A favorable schedule gives the Lions the team success that helps this award.Offensive Rookie of the YearArizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) practices during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 26, 2026.Chalk: RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona CardinalsThe No. 3 overall pick arrives with big numbers. Love topped 1,000 rushing yards in both 2025 and 2026 at Notre Dame, averaging 6.9 yards per carry each season.Longshot: QB Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas RaidersThe No. 1 overall pick led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season and the national title. Mendoza still has to win the job over Kirk Cousins for the Week 1 start before he gets his hand on an NFL award.My pick: RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona CardinalsThe chalk is also the smart call. A complete three-down back with a clear path to volume is the safest bet to put up rookie-award numbers.Defensive Rookie of the YearApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey is introduced before the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesChalk: EDGE David Bailey, New York JetsThe No. 2 overall pick walks into a starting job. Bailey lines up opposite Will McDonald IV under defensive-minded coach Aaron Glenn, with plenty of chances to rack up sacks.Longshot: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Miami DolphinsThe second-round pick has a path to immediate playing time on a bad team. Rodriguez draws the same profile as 2025 winner Carson Schwesinger, who piled up tackles as a rookie.My pick: EDGE David Bailey, New York JetsThe favorite is hard to fade. Edge rushers win this award most years, and Bailey has both the pass-rush ceiling and the snaps.Coach of the YearJun 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh answers questions from the press after the minicamp activities at Quest Diagnostics Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn ImagesChalk: John Harbaugh, New York GiantsHarbaugh took over a team that won just seven games over two years. Eight of the last nine winners were in their first or second season with their team, which fits him perfectly.Longshot: Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta FalconsStefanski inherits Bijan Robinson and Drake London on an underachieving roster. The turnaround setup is exactly the kind voters love.My pick: John Harbaugh, New York GiantsA proven winner walking into a desperate franchise with a young core fits the turnaround formula this award almost always rewards. Back in 2019, Harbaugh took home the NFL award hardware as the AP Coach of the Year.Comeback Player of the YearChalk: QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City ChiefsMahomes is the heavy favorite here. He is aiming for redemption after an injury ended a subpar Chiefs season. The three-time Super Bowl champ already has several NFL awards, including two MVPs and an Offensive Player of the Year win.Longshot: WR Malik Nabers, New York GiantsThe young wideout is returning from a torn ACL. Nabers would put up big numbers if he stays healthy across a full year.My pick: DT Aaron Donald, Los Angeles RamsThe three-time Defensive Player of the Year has been training on the field and is rumored to return after two years away, drawn back by the Garrett trade. Pairing his interior rush with Garrett off the edge would be the kind of story voters reward if he plays enough snaps.