The 14th annual NFL Honors ceremony will commence on Thursday, Feb 6 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A handful of players and coaches will be given the highest level of personal recognition in football while others will leave empty-handed.
The award finalists have been set since January 23. Finalists were determined through the Associated Press voting system, as voters were asked to rank their top five picks for MVP in order as well as their top three picks for every other NFL award.
Just before millions gather together to watch the Eagles and Chiefs battle it out in Super Bowl LIX, we will witness how the league's greatest personal honors unfold. Here's a look at every NFL Honors finalist and my predictions for each award this year.
AP Most Valuable Player
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills QB
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles RB
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB
- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions QB
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens QB
While some would like to sneak Saquon Barkley in the MVP conversation after a remarkable 2024 season, is a two-headed race between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. These were the two best quarterbacks in the league this season.
Allen is still searching for his first league MVP award, while Jackson could make it three straight. Many believed Allen should have won MVP last year, but both players made convincing arguments in 2024.
Prediction: Lamar Jackson
AP Defensive Player of the Year
- Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles LB
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns DE
- Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals DE
- Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos CB
- T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers LB
Unlike in years past, there wasn't a dominant edge defender season or clear frontrunner for the award. While Myles Garrett was strong enough on film to bring home Defensive Player of the Year honors for a second season in a row, the Browns' 3-14 record in 2024 should put an end to that quick conversation.
Meanwhile, Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was quiet down the stretch after being a DPOY frontrunner for most of the season. Bengals' Trey Hendrickson could win the award for the first time after leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks, while Eagles linebacker Zack Baun made an excellent case for the DPOY award. The lack of stellar outings could land DPOY honors in the hands of the league's best cornerback this year.
Prediction: Patrick Surtain II
AP Offensive Player of the Year
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles RB
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB
- Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals WR
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens RB
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens QB
The Offensive Player of the Year award has historically gone to a skill player (though you could argue whoever doesn't get the MVP award between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson should get OPOY). There were some fantastic individual performances this year.
Ja'Marr Chase was the triple-crown wide receiver—leading the league in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Meanwhile, Derrick Henry effortlessly strung together a 1,921-yard season with an NFL-leading 16 rushing touchdowns. However. Saquon Barkley's 2,000-yard season with an unmatched 2,283 all-purpose yards should net him the OPOY award this year.
Prediction: Saquon Barkley
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders TE
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders QB
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants WR
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos QB
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars WR
Anytime a rookie tight end can record 100-plus catches and over 1,000 yards, you take notice. In most years, this would be enough to get the jod done for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors if not for a phenomenal showing by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Daniels recorded over 3,500 passing yards in his first season with the Commanders to go with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions while chipping in a whopping 891 rushing yards and six scores on the ground.
Prediction: Jayden Daniels
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles CB
- Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams DE
- Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles CB
- Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins LB
- Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams LB
There were several strong Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates this season. Surprisingly, two Eagles cornerbacks and two Rams defensive linemen made the list. In a tight race, I have Branden Fiske coming away with the award after recording 8.5 sacks,10 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles in eight starts (17 games).
Prediction: Braden Fiske
AP Comeback Player of the Year
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB
- Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings QB
- J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers RB
- Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots CB
- Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills S
When you glance over the names on this list, it's hard to have anyone but Sam Darnold as the Comeback Player of the Year from the 2024 season. Darnold was on his fourth team and the journeyman quarterback made just one start in 2023 before exploding for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns this past season.
Prediction: Sam Darnold
AP Coach of the Year
- Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions HC
- Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings HC
- Sean Payton, Denver Broncos HC
- Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders HC
- Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs HC
All five head coach finalists deserve recognition for their accomplishments in 2024. In all honesty, you could probably hand the award to Chiefs HC Andy Reid every year. Though strong cases are made, Kevin O'Connell's 14-3 season with the Vikings really stood out. This came after Minnesota lost Kirk Cousins in free agency and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason.
Prediction: Kevin O'Connell
AP Assistant Coach of the Year
- Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills OC
- Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles DC
- Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings DC
- Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions DC
- Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions OC
We could complete the Minnesota Vikings hat trick by handing Brian Flores the Assistant Coach of the Year award and be done with it. Though Flores is a top candidate and a deserving finalist this year, it's hard to be more impressed by an assistant coach than what Ben Johnson did once again with the Lions' offense in 2024. Detriot ranked 1st in points per game (33.1) and 2nd in yards per game (415.7) in 2024.
Prediction: Ben Johnson