Adel's Award Predictions - Season 74
by adelfish | 3 years ago | 0 Comments
Adel's Season 74 Award Predictions
It is almost #AwardsSZN and I can't think of the last time there has been so much intrigue around some of these trophies, especially the Red Zone Most Valuable Player.
What I will attempt to do today, is predict how these are going to go, with a little reasoning as to why. I am doing this based on HOW I THINK RED ZONE VOTES. I have my own personal opinions on who SHOULD win, but that is a through my personal viewpoint on how I vote for these.
I'll hit on all the major awards, so without further rambling, let's get to it!
S74 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Predicted Winner: Danny Harrison - Tight End - Las Vegas Raiders
Crazy year for receivers and tight ends, as the top 5 rookies in my opinion are all receivers. I do not believe any of the quarterbacks deserve consideration this year, even if the Eagles somehow make the playoffs. Unfortunately all four of the big names struggled for most of the year.
Now in my mind, this is a 3 man race between Danny Harrison, Jabari Swain (HOU, WR) and Braylon Haden (SEA, TE). My close 4 is Tyler Buchanon in Minnesota, but Haden edges him out slightly for me based on receptions/importance to the team.
Despite Swain leading in yardage by 29 with a game to go, the 6 extra touchdowns for Harrison push him for me. I don't think the voters will put a ton of stock into the difference in receptions. When you look at the two players, the fact that Harrison was able to do what he did with 33 less receptions will be the difference for the voters.
I do think this award has potential to go three different ways. I can see the voters favoring Blueprint because of how much his team improved, and a TON of that will be attributed to Haden. I can also see voters picking Swain because Biggs is consistently great. I think Harrison is the 'right' pick.
S74 Defensive Rookie of the Year
Predicted Winner: Ramon Page - Strong Safety - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I think this is pretty much a slam dunk at this point. Page has done it all for Tampa; 8 interceptions (leads all rookies), 2 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, along with 3 defensive touchdowns. The 8 interceptions are tied for 6th in the entire league, and remember he wouldn't be far off from leading if not for the absurdity of Minkah Fitzpatrick.
I think the voters make the right decision here, and Page wins handily.
S74 Rookie of the Year
Predicted Winner: Danny Harrison - Tight End - Las Vegas Raiders
I think this is a way more difficult vote than either of the two previous - who is the most important rookie to their team through Season 74?
I think Red Zone does a very 'RZ' thing, and gives votes to Nate Garland here. The Eagles are 7-8, and the easiest place to point for the turnaround is to the new rookie quarterback (newsflash, he hasn't played since Week 13).
Harrison will be viewed by Red Zone as the best rookie, the amount of touchdowns and yardage, combined with the massive improvement from the Raiders in the win column will be what sways the voters.
S74 Offensive Player of the Year
Predicted Winner: Zach Wilson - Quarterback - Cincinnati Bengals
First thing, this is as tough of an OPOY race as we've had in a long time. I count at least 5 quarterbacks and 2 running backs who are eligible for this, in my opinion. I do think ultimately Red Zone thinks Wilson is the best offensive player, and here is why.
He currently leads the league in passing yards, has a 70+ completion percentage, and is averaging 11.9 yards per attempt, with only 14 interceptions. I think Red Zone will see him as the league leader in yards, and with a couple other positive stats, vote him into the winner.
I wouldn't have a massive problem with Wilson winning, but there are very deserving candidates who will likely miss out.
Kellen Mond is going to end up with at least 50 touchdown passes, but will likely miss out due to the 19 interceptions. Baker Mayfield has been arguably the best quarterback in the league, but has only 38 touchdown passes. Lamar Jackson is the current league leader in total yardage with 5479 total yards, but 17 interceptions + 2 lost fumbles = no go.
Davis Mills is tied with Wilson with 43 touchdowns, and has 4 less interceptions. Yardage is the tiebreaker, as Wilson has the edge by over 200 yards. A couple other honorable quarterback mentions are Jordan Love (ATL) and Jack Skillin (LV), but have each thrown 20+ interceptions.
I think it comes down to Wilson, Mills, Mond, and Jackson. I could see it going to any of the four, but my most likely winner is Wilson due to being the passing yard champion.
S74 Defensive Player of the Year
Predicted Winner: Minkah Fitzpatrick - Free Safety - Pittsburgh Steelers
Does this need a writeup? If Red Zone screws this up, we need to evaluate the voting process. He is the all-time record holder in our 74 year history with 22 interceptions (and counting!!). Throw in 5 defensive touchdowns, this is a slam dunk.
It's a shame for Detroit Lion Marlon Dobbins, who has been quite the story as a reclamation project in Motor City, he currently leads Red Zone in sacks with 19. I view him as the clear cut second place finisher.
Fitzpatrick may (and should) be the first ever winner to receive 100% of the vote. I challenge the commissioners to hold the voters accountable and to publicly drag those who choose not to vote for him if that does happen.
S74 Coach of the Year
Predicted Winner: Ricky Chapstick - Washington Commanders
This is another one I think could go a few ways, but I think finishing with the league-most wins will tilt this one in favor of Chapstick.
My only issue with this one, is the Commanders have faced a joke of a schedule (not their fault), and lost to tough competition in Week 1, and a shocking blowout against the Bears. Ultimately that gets cancelled out for me since they knocked off Kansas City and Las Vegas. It doesn't help them that their division is pathetic.
I could see Red Zone going the way of the 'pat on the back' award with Coach of the Year, and throwing votes to Coach Sampson of the Seahawks and Coach Andy of the Titans, both very deserving, but have less victories than the Commanders.
I think this award should go to either the Commanders, or the Texans. Houston possesses the 4th best scoring offense and the top scoring defense. I think he gets overlooked due to voter fatigue.
S74 GM of the Year
Predicted Winner: Jake Allen - Washington Commanders
Remember, this is how I think Red Zone will vote, and not to say Jake isn't deserving. He crushed his offseason in my opinion, keeping his offensive core together, and allowing expendable pieces to move on so he could retain his offensive line. He had alerady drafted Antonio Gibson's replacement, and Montez Sweat was worth the trade due to the players Jake acquired in the 1st round. This offseason really solidified the Commanders roster as a contender, for now and for the future.
Red Zone loves giving GM of the Year to the team that won a lot, but that isn't always the way it should go.
In my opinion, RFox deserves it this time. He signed Antonio Gibson in free agency to finally give Buffalo a legit #1 running back, and it has paid dividends with 1500 total yards. He drafted a superstar center in the 1st round in Max Young, and then swung a big trade for safety Terrell Edmunds. He has really improved the roster at some key areas, and it has shown in the win column.
Other honorable mentions should go to Blueprint, Black Magic, Beech, Tauph, and Spencer.
S74 Worst GM of the Year
Predicted Winner: Mayne Event - New Orleans Saints
I think Red Zone punishes Mayne Event for the Alvin Kamara trade by giving him Worst GM of the Year, I really do. Let's get one thing straight - it was an awful trade. The Saints gave up Alvin Kamara for safety Lance Pollard, a 4th, and a future 2 + 3. For comparison, Saquon Barkley went for a 1st round pick. If the Saints put Kamara on the block, I think he gets way more.
BUT, I disagree if this is the choice.
The Cowboys and Pat Allen had a TERRIBLE offseason. They gave Juju Smith-Schuster $60 million over 4 years. Everyone knew this was a terrible contract, and Smith-Schuster rewarded Dallas with 367 yards and 0 touchdowns this year. They also spent $10 million on 33 year old Eric Kendricks, and traded up to draft Vernon Carruthers, who has been mediocre at best.
The Browns should be in the mix as well, for some reason they didn't have a pick until the 4th round, and drafted 0 contributors. They also traded two picks for 32 year old defensive tackle Michael Pierce, and spent $12 million on Akiem Hicks, only to field the 18th ranked yardage defense.
Can we also talk about how the Browns spend $35 million between Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, and they are COMBINED for 1206 yards? Yikes.
S74 Most Valuable Player of the Year
Predicted Winner: Minkah Fitzpatrick - Free Safety - Pittsburgh Steelers
Remember, I am predicting how the league will vote. I disagree with this 100% if it happens.
I do not think a player can win MVP and miss the playoffs, I just don't. I think it discredits the award. I love what Theo has done this year and think Minkah is easily one of the most important players of Season 74, but he cannot win MVP in my mind for that reason. If you vote for him I understand why, but in my opinion it has to go to a playoff team.
For me, it has to go to one of the quarterbacks. I think Baker Mayfield should get some serious consideration, just because his numbers don't pop like Wilson or Mills doesn't mean he isn't a MVP candidate. Wilson, Mills, Lamar Jackson, and Kellen Mond should all get looks, and all for the reasons I explained in the OPOY section.
S74 Other Award Predictions
Discord All Star Predicted Winner: Kfox or IJ
Discord Dunce Predicted Winner: White, Kad, or Prewitt
Semper Award Predicted Winner: RFox, Andy
Most Surprising Team Predicted Winner: Seahawks
Most Disappointing Predicted Winner: KFox or Tiko
Comeback Player of the Year: Josh Rosen
Best Team Twitter Predicted Winner: Saints, Dolphins, Ravens
Best Celebrity Twitter Predicted Winner: Bleacher Report or Field Yates
Best Media Producer: Astin or Adel
Best Podcast Predicted Winner: Red Zone Rumble
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Thank you all for reading, hope you enjoyed my predictions! Until next year.....