For NFL teams, preparations for the new season begin in late spring with the OTAs. So the foundation is laid during these weeks. Too early to predict the award favorites? Is it really too early? ran dares to take a look ahead.

The NFL is always good for surprises every season. Teams that hardly any expert expected make a deep playoff run or even end up in the Super Bowl. Others, teams rated significantly higher, switch from the field to the couch at the start of the postseason.

And even pros whom hardly anyone had on their radar beforehand step into the spotlight. Meanwhile, others fall far short of expectations or are sidelined by injuries.

Long story short: The NFL isn’t the ideal league for predictions—especially since the Super Bowl isn’t until February.

MVP: Christian McCaffrey

It’s about time the top award went to a non-quarterback again. The last time that happened was in 2012 with Adrian Peterson. The most obvious choice would be Christian McCaffrey, the most consistent running back in recent NFL history. The San Francisco 49ers’ offensive jack-of-all-trades has already racked up four 1,000-rushing-yard seasons, and in 2019, he also posted a four-digit total in receiving yards.

Last season, “CMC” finished fourth; in 2023, he even finished third in the MVP race and was named Offensive Player of the Year, though Achilles tendon issues slowed him down in the year in between. He’ll turn 30 before the upcoming season and appears capable of raising his ceiling even higher.

It will be crucial for the rest of the offense to shake off recent injury issues, for Brock Purdy to find his rhythm, and for George Kittle and McCaffrey to clear the way. If that happens, there’s no reason why the quarterback streak at the MVP Awards shouldn’t come to an end.

Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Jefferson

Thousand-yard seasons are the norm for Justin Jefferson in the NFL. In each of his six NFL seasons, the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver has racked up four-digit receiving yards. His best mark was 1,809 yards in 2022, which earned him the Offensive Player of the Year award.

Back then, Kirk Cousins was the one distributing the passes. More recently, the “Vikes” have had massive injury concerns at the quarterback position, which is why no real chemistry could develop between the “Jets” and the signal-callers used around J.J. McCarthy. For the new season, the franchise has stepped it up with Kyler Murray. It remains to be seen who will start, but the outlook for Jefferson has by no means worsened.

Defensive Player of the Year: Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby inadvertently became the story of free agency. His trade to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks seemed all but done, but then the team sent the pass rusher back to the Las Vegas Raiders, citing concerns about his fitness following knee surgery earlier in the year.

Not every observer understood why the Ravens signed free agent Trey Hendrickson instead. After all, Crosby is considered a complete edge rusher, recording 24 run stops without gains in 2025—more than any other defender since 2018.

After the disappointment of the trade—he would have ended up with a potential contender, after all—it wouldn’t be surprising if the 28-year-old heads into his eighth season particularly motivated. And steps it up another notch to win his first individual award.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Carnell Tate

Carnell Tate was the first wide receiver off the draft board—already at the fourth pick. In the past 17 years, the only other wide receiver selected that early was Travis Hunter, who is considered a two-way player and is set to play cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the future.

The Tennessee Titans made their move on Tate. This means he’ll be targeted by Cam Ward in the NFL, the first overall pick of the 2025 draft. During Ward’s rookie season, the team lacked a clear No. 1 receiver following Calvin Ridley’s fibula fracture. Tate can now step right into that role and contend for the Rookie of the Year award.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Arvell Reese

With the New York Giants, Arvell Reese joins a defense that has lost an important anchor in Dexter Lawrence. But with the fifth pick in the draft, they may have found a new one right away. No expert doubts that the edge rusher will quickly establish himself in the NFL.

One of his strengths: Reese can be deployed in various positions, not only on the defensive line but also as a linebacker. That said, he sees himself playing closer to the line of scrimmage. Head Coach John Harbaugh has already proven in Baltimore that he knows how to build a defense feared throughout the league. So the Giants have the ingredients to put Reese in the running for the Rookie of the Year award.