With the 2016 NFL regular season getting underway Thursday, TGS is ready to do some predicting.
MVP: Aaron Rodgers — The highest-rated passer in NFL history and the best quarterback of this generation has Jordy Nelson back. This could be his best season yet.
Offensive player of the year: Rodgers — Not sure why we’ve been led to believe the offensive player of the year can’t be the MVP, but that’s not the case. Rodgers will be the best offensive player in the league this year, so he will deserve this award as well. I really do think his age-32 season will be the best of his career.
Defensive player of the year: J.J. Watt — Now that it appears he’ll be healthy in time to start Week 1, you’d be crazy not to go with Watt. The man has won this award three times in his five NFL seasons. And now he’s got more support than ever before in Houston.
Offensive rookie of the year: Ezekiel Elliott — The running back steps into a starting role behind the league’s best offensive line. With Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Tony Romo/Dak Prescott providing more than enough support, he could seriously have the kind of season we saw from offensive player of the year DeMarco Murray in 2014.
Defensive rookie of the year: Karl Joseph — The new Raiders safety is a ball-hawk who looks primed to make a ton of big plays behind that jacked Oakland front seven in 2016.
Coach of the year: Mike Zimmer — Zimmer is the ideal coach for a team trying to rally without its franchise quarterback. I fully expect him to keep the Vikings in contention despite the loss of Teddy Bridgewater.
