Every NFL team is getting deeper into training camp, and now the preseason is underway, which means the regular season is just around the corner. With that comes prediction season. We recently identified every NFL team’s best shot at winning an award this season. Today, let’s predict each AFC team’s most likely award candidate in 2024.
This includes Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
Every AFC Team’s Best Shot at an Award This NFL Season
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson, Most Valuable Player
Yes, indeed, Lamar Jackson is capable of winning back-to-back MVP awards, which would be a first for the Baltimore Ravens.
Here’s the reason behind Jackson’s high repeat MVP chances: Todd Monken, his offensive coordinator. Jackson improved his completion percentage and delivered a career-high in passing yards in Monken’s first season in Baltimore, and now he heads into his second year in the scheme.
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, Most Valuable Player
Josh Allen looks like the best NFL quarterback who’s yet to win the MVP award.
He’s come close three times, including earning second-place votes in 2020. But if he produces career-high numbers without Stefon Diggs in 2024, then he’s got to emerge as a frontrunner this time.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, Comeback Player of the Year
This 2024 season could have a stacked lineup of candidates for the Comeback Player of the Year nod. Joe Burrow is among the names on this watch list following his injury-plagued ’23 campaign.
The league has already seen Burrow operate at an MVP level when healthy. If he’s anywhere near his past dominant form, he’ll be a good bet to swoop up either the MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, or CPOY. We’ll go with the latter.
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, Defensive Player of the Year
Myles Garrett represents the new face of terrorizing quarterbacks. Since 2018, he’s never fallen below 10 sacks. No other defender has matched that production.
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But since he turned 26, he’s flipped a switch by producing two 16-sack seasons and last year’s 14-sack output. Garrett clearly looks like he’s hit his prime, which increases his chances of repeating as DPOY.
Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, Defensive Player of the Year
Patrick Surtain II has been everything the Denver Broncos envisioned when they drafted him ninth overall in 2021.
But he tightened up his coverage following the 70-20 debacle against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, surrendering no more than 65 receiving yards on his side during the final 13 games. Increased production will mean increased chances to win the league’s top individual defensive honor.
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, Most Valuable Player
C.J. Stroud had analysts thinking MVP during his stellar rookie season.
But with Diggs now on board, Tank Dell healthy, plus Joe Mixon in his backfield, Stroud’s MVP chances have lifted off like a NASA rocket.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, Comeback Player of the Year
Anthony Richardson will enter the year with CPOY thoughts or even aim to join the MVP conversation if he stays healthy.
With Gardner Minshew II off to the Las Vegas Raiders, Richardson won’t have to worry about having an established veteran behind him, with Joe Flacco joining Indy as a clear backup. Again, a healthy ’24 raises Richardson’s chances of CPOY.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, Most Valuable Player
Now armed with a blockbuster $275 million deal, best believe Trevor Lawrence will raise his game to another level.
The only knock is that he won’t have Calvin Ridley to throw to this time. But the presence of the explosive rookie addition Brian Thomas Jr. can help catapult Lawrence’s MVP chances.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, Most Valuable Player
As long as he’s on the field, Patrick Mahomes will always be in the conversation for Most Valuable Player.
This year, the two-time MVP will be feeding the ball to a WR with a 4.21-second time in the 40-yard dash in Xavier Worthy — fueling new excitement for the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense. Of course, Travis Kelce makes life on the field even better for Mahomes and helps his annual MVP chances.
Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby, Defensive Player of the Year
The three-time Pro Bowler has gotten better every season, increasing his sack numbers in each campaign since 2020.
But now he’s walking into a Las Vegas Raiders facility with renewed fire and energy, courtesy of head coach Antonio Pierce. Look for Crosby to play a new inspired brand of football through Pierce, which also gives the Raiders their best chance at finally producing the franchise’s first DPOY.
Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James Jr., Defensive Player of the Year
New defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is likely going to have a blast working with the All-Pro safety.
Minter’s scheme was based on the versatility of the defensive players he coached in Ann Arbor, Mich., during his days with the Wolverines. His scheme also calls for plenty of disguised coverages, meaning the talented Derwin James Jr. could be a seamless fit for his system.
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, Most Valuable Player
When Tua Tagovailoa is healthy, he’s an MVP contender.
And his numbers have risen since the arrival of Mike McDaniel in 2022. Tagovailoa should be even more immersed in his offense in his third season, which could mean a 5,000-yard campaign and his first 30-touchdown tally.
New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo, Coach of the Year
If (and it’s a big if) the New England Patriots manage to worm their way into the playoffs, Jerod Mayo will have to be the frontrunner for Coach of the Year.
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He’s taking over a complete rebuild in Foxborough, Mass., featuring a new QB and younger receivers while replacing an NFL legend in Bill Belichick. But his youthful energy is expected to rub off on the Pats players, with the potential of making them more competitive than what many across the league are projecting.
New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers, Comeback Player of the Year
Again, the list of CPOY possibilities is a loaded group that will include Aaron Rodgers.
But the QB coming back from a torn Achilles could even spark MVP conversations if he proves he’s still got dominance left in his 40-year-old arm. The New York Jets’ success rides off the play of the NFL legend.
Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt, Defensive Player of the Year
He may be in a division where Myles Garrett grabs the sacks and attention, but we can’t ever rule out T.J. Watt as a DPOY contender.
Watt proved he was still a 20-sack threat when he was given a full regular season, hitting 19 sacks as a 29-year-old defender in ’23.
Tennessee Titans: Brian Callahan, Coach of the Year
Brian Callahan brings an AFC Championship ring from his Bengals days over to Nashville.
If the Tennessee Titans offense is anywhere near the explosive production of his past Cincy offenses — and particularly if young quarterback Will Levis takes a big leap forward in his second season — Callahan will have a playoff team on his hands and earn COY talk.
