Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. In today's installment, he spotlights dark-horse candidates for major awards in 2025 ...
We are in the dog days of summer for NFL fans, with teams still a few weeks away from reporting to training camp. At this time of year, it's always fun to make predictions about how the 2025 season will shake out. While it's easy to identify potential winners of the league's most prestigious awards when choosing from the favorites that routinely dominate the conversation, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to pick out some overlooked candidates who could walk away with hardware at season's end.
Now, none of the selections below are likely to come to fruition (we are talking about long shots, after all). But in a league that produces surprises every season, they could.
So, here are my long-shot picks for the seven major individual awards in the 2025 campaign.
NOTE: Caesars Sportsbook & Casino's award odds are current as of 5 p.m. ET on Friday, June 27.
Most Valuable Player
Current odds to win MVP: +4000
If Mayfield matches his 2024 numbers (71.4% completion rate, 4,500 passing yards with 41 touchdowns) and the Buccaneers win the NFC South for the fifth year in a row, I won’t be surprised if the former No. 1 overall pick rises to the top of the MVP conversation. This offseason Tampa Bay added another talented pass catcher (first-round pick Emeka Egbuka) to a stellar supporting cast that features a pair of rugged Pro Bowlers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) with exceptional ball skills and playmaking ability. With Bucky Irving commanding attention as a big-play specialist in the backfield, Mayfield can rack up impressive production directing an explosive offense built on low-risk throws to a collection of dynamic weapons. With the Bucs climbing the ranks as a dark-horse contender, Mayfield could ride off with the league’s top honor at season’s end.
Offensive Player of the Year
Current odds to win OPOY: +2200
The former NFL rushing champ changed addresses in 2024, but his dominance continued with his new team. Jacobs finished sixth in rushing yards (1,329) and produced the fourth-most rushing touchdowns (15) in his debut season with the Packers. Although the seventh-year pro is more of a grinder than a big-play specialist at this stage of his career, he could put up ridiculous numbers in an offense that added Matthew Golden, a perimeter playmaker with home run potential, via the draft. If defenses are forced to focus on limiting the explosive plays from Jordan Love and Co. through the air, Jacobs could quietly pick up 2,000 scrimmage yards as a crafty runner/receiver in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
Defensive Player of the Year
Current odds to win DPOY: +1300
The 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year could emerge as the league’s top defender in 2025. Last season, Anderson tallied 11 sacks (tied for 10th in the league) in 14 games playing opposite a disruptive force in Danielle Hunter. With the Texans adding more firepower to the front line in free agency, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder should see those numbers spike thanks to more one-on-one pass-rushing opportunities in favorable, long-yardage situations. As head coach DeMeco Ryans unleashes the third-year pro in an ultra-aggressive scheme that prioritizes pressure at every turn, Anderson could top the 20-sack mark as the Texans’ designated defensive playmaker.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Current odds to win OROY: +2200
When Sean Payton decided to draft Harvey in Round 2, he likely envisioned the former UCF standout thriving in an Alvin Kamara-like role with the Broncos. Measuring 5-foot-8, 205 pounds with outstanding balance, body control, hand-eye coordination and burst, Harvey can create mismatches in a variety of spots depending on his pre-snap alignment. He’s too quick and shifty for linebackers in space, but he also flashes enough power and pop to run through arm tackles in the hole. As a gritty runner with a little pizzazz, he is the do-it-all playmaker Payton covets as his feature back in his diverse offensive system. Given his potential workload and supporting cast, Harvey could put up eye-popping numbers for a team on the rise.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Current odds to win DROY: +1700
The Dirty Birds might have finally solved their pass-rushing woes with the selections of Pearce and fellow first-round pick Jalon Walker in the 2025 NFL Draft. Pearce is an explosive speed rusher with exceptional instincts, awareness and first-step quickness. As a quarterback hunter for a team that desperately needs sack production and quarterback disruption, the No. 26 overall pick could make his mark immediately as a designated pass rusher in Jeff Ulbrich’s scheme. Whether winning with speed and athleticism off the edge or overwhelming blockers with a crafty bull rush or two-handed swipe maneuver, Pearce steps onto the field with a bag of tricks that will help him showcase his talents in Year 1.
Comeback Player of the Year
Current odds to win CPOY: +8000
A two-time Pro Bowler in seven seasons with the Packers before being released this offseason, perhaps a change of scenery will help Alexander shake the injury bug and rediscover what once made him the highest-paid corner in the league. His talent meshes with a Ravens scheme that puts a lot of pressure on defensive backs to win their one-on-one matchups on the perimeter. As a versatile corner with lock-down skills utilizing bump-and-run or shadowboxing technique, the eighth-year pro could give Baltimore the CB1 needed to compete against the AFC’s high-powered offenses. Divisional battles against Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf and Jerry Jeudy are on the horizon, so Alexander will have a chance to show he’s still an elite corner with a bounce-back season.
Coach of the Year
Current odds to win COY: +1800
It’s time for the football world to once again acknowledge the offensive wizard as one of the best team-builders in the game. After the Rams overcame slow starts in each of the past two seasons to earn playoff berths, perhaps McVay will walk away with honors for his work with a team that could steamroll through the division from the jump this time around. As free-agent signee Davante Adams and Puka Nacua team with Matthew Stafford to spark a high-flying offense, the coach’s superb management skills should shine as he chalks up wins utilizing a complementary approach that binds the spectacular offense with a gritty defense and special-teams unit to outduel opponents.
