Zachary Pereles· Sep 8, 2026
CBS Sports' panel of NFL experts published its 2026 individual award picks, with Joe Burrow the leading MVP choice, Ja'Marr Chase for Offensive Player of the Year, Will Anderson Jr. an overwhelming Defensive Player of the Year pick, Jeremiyah Love for Offensive Rookie of the Year, David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. tied for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Patrick Mahomes for Comeback Player of the Year, Penei Sewell for Protector of the Year, and a four-way tie for Coach of the Year.
“Mahomes winning Comeback Player of the Year was the most popular pick across all of the categories.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
22 checkable claims — 18 award picks and 4 coach award picks — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 33 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Joe Burrow
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Lamar Jackson
- Baltimore Ravens
- Puka Nacua
- Los Angeles Rams
- Jadarian Price
- Seattle Seahawks
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
- Myles Garrett
- Bijan Robinson
- Atlanta Falcons
- T.J. Watt
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Penei Sewell
- Detroit Lions
- Caleb Downs
- Dallas Cowboys
- Ja'Marr Chase
- Will Anderson Jr.
- Houston Texans
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- De'Zhaun Stribling
- San Francisco 49ers
- David Bailey
- New York Jets
- Rueben Bain
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Josh Allen
- Buffalo Bills
- Patrick Mahomes
- Kansas City Chiefs
22 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Award PicksJoe BurrowCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Joe Burrow to win MVP
“MVP Bengals QB Joe Burrow (5 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksLamar JacksonBaltimore RavensSep 8, 2026
Lamar Jackson to win MVP
“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Bills QB Josh Allen (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksPuka NacuaLos Angeles RamsSep 8, 2026
Puka Nacua to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Rams WR Puka Nacua (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksSep 8, 2026
Jadarian Price to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“Seahawks RB Jadarian Price (2 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Brian Schottenheimer to win Coach of the Year
“Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJeremiyah LoveArizona CardinalsSep 8, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“Offensive Rookie of the Year Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love (7 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksMyles GarrettLos Angeles RamsSep 8, 2026
Myles Garrett to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Rams EDGE Myles Garrett, Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksBijan RobinsonAtlanta FalconsSep 8, 2026
Bijan Robinson to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Rams WR Puka Nacua (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksT.J. WattPittsburgh SteelersSep 8, 2026
T.J. Watt to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Rams EDGE Myles Garrett, Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksPenei SewellDetroit LionsSep 8, 2026
Penei Sewell to win Protector of the Year
“Protector of the Year Lions RT Penei Sewell (9 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksCaleb DownsDallas CowboysSep 8, 2026
Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“Cowboys DB Caleb Downs (3)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJa'Marr ChaseCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Ja'Marr Chase to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Offensive Player of the Year Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (5 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksWill Anderson Jr.Houston TexansSep 8, 2026
Will Anderson Jr. to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Defensive Player of the Year Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr. (9 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJahmyr GibbsDetroit LionsSep 8, 2026
Jahmyr Gibbs to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (4)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
De'Zhaun Stribling to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling (4 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksDavid BaileyNew York JetsSep 8, 2026
David Bailey to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“Jets EDGE David Bailey, Buccaneers EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (5 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Joe Brady to win Coach of the Year
“Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Jesse Minter to win Coach of the Year
“Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksRueben BainTampa Bay BuccaneersSep 8, 2026
Rueben Bain to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“Jets EDGE David Bailey, Buccaneers EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (5 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJosh AllenBuffalo BillsSep 8, 2026
Josh Allen to win MVP
“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Bills QB Josh Allen (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Liam Coen to win Coach of the Year
“Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksPatrick MahomesKansas City ChiefsSep 8, 2026
Patrick Mahomes to win Comeback Player of the Year
“Comeback Player of the Year Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (10 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Houston TexansMiss · 0Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
More award picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Brandon SneideAward Picks · Drake MayeMiss · 0Snyder picks the Seahawks to beat the Patriots 31-23 in Super Bowl 60, believing Seattle pulls away late, and says Drake Maye will finish second in MVP voting behind Matthew Stafford.
- Eric ManginiAward Picks · Drake MayeMiss · 0Mangini picked the Patriots 23-20 with Drake May as Super Bowl MVP, and earlier named Kayshon Boutte ("Kaeshawn Booty") as his dark horse MVP.
- Chris BroussardAward Picks · Drake MayeMiss · 0Broussard picked New England to beat Seattle 24-21, with Drake May winning Super Bowl MVP, and named Cooper Kupp as his dark horse MVP.
- Rich EisenAward Picks · Sam DarnoldMiss · 0Eisen reaffirms his pick of the Rams to win the NFC West despite Seattle's current lead, expects Buffalo to land as the 2 or 3 seed in the AFC, names Josh Allen as his MVP with Sam Darnold finishing top five, floats the Saints picking in the teens, and calls Puka Nacua possibly the best receiver in the league.
- Eric ManginiAward Picks · Justin HerbertMiss · 0Mangini's upset alert was Carolina beating the heavily favored Rams; he also confirmed he has Buffalo ultimately winning in Jacksonville, and noted he had picked Justin Herbert as his MVP after Joe Burrow's injury.
- Brandon CarneyAward Picks · Christian McCaffreyHit · 100Carney made a full playoff bracket, picking the Bears, Niners, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, then Seahawks and Rams in the NFC divisional, Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, with the Rams beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl. He also gave award picks including Stafford for MVP and Vrabel for Coach of the Year.