2022 NFL awards finalists: Who’re the most important favorites, surprises and snubs?

The NFL on Wednesday launched the finalists for eight of the Related Press’ awards that may have winners introduced on the twelfth annual NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 9. Right here’s what you’ll want to know:

Full listing of NFL awards finalists:

AP MVP:

• Josh Allen, Payments QB
• Joe Burrow, Bengals QB
• Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB
• Justin Jefferson, Vikings WR
• Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB

AP DPOY:

• Nick Bosa, 49ers DE
• Chris Jones, Chiefs DT
• Micah Parsons, Cowboys LB

AP OPOY:

• Tyreek Hill, Dolphins WR
• Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB
• Justin Jefferson, Vikings WR
• Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB

AP OROY:

AP DROY:

AP Comeback Participant of the Yr:

AP COY:

• Brian Daboll, Giants
• Sean McDermott, Payments
• Doug Pederson, Jaguars
• Kyle Shanahan, 49ers
• Nick Sirianni, Eagles

AP Assistant COY:

• Ben Johnson, Lions OC
• DeMeco Ryans, 49ers DC
• Shane Steichen, Eagles OC

The Athletic’s immediate evaluation:

Deserved recognition for Jefferson

Let’s face it, it’s a quarterbacks league and quarterbacks award, and Mahomes, Allen, Burrow and Hurts actually are MVP-worthy, and a kind of 4 will win the award (my cash is on Mahomes). Nevertheless it’s additionally good to see a non-quarterback (Minnesota’s Jefferson) drawing some recognition for his dynamic season.

Jefferson is a receiver, however the third-year professional actually made QB Kirk Cousins higher and racked up a league-leading 128 catches and 1,809 receiving yards. He most probably won’t win, however getting a nod is important. — Jones

Powerful name for OPOY

Okay, in order acknowledged, totally count on a quarterback (Mahomes) to win MVP, although Burrow, Hurts and Allen are all worthy. However what about Offensive Participant of the Yr? Will the quarterback that misplaced out win this, or will one other place participant take residence these honors?

Because the quarterbacks typically take residence MVP, let’s go together with somebody like Jefferson or Hill (who additionally reworked his workforce’s offense with 1,700-plus yards) for Offensive Participant of the Yr. Jefferson topped Hill by 99 yards and a landing. Give him the award. — Jones

Final darkish horse for ROY

Coming into the season, the quarterback projected to contend for Rookie of the Yr honors was Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett. However Purdy got here out of nowhere to face out because the quarterback to problem Walker and Wilson for this award by successful 5 straight video games and serving to steer the 49ers to the NFC West title. Sure, he solely has a portion of a season to point out for. However the significance of his contributions to his workforce’s success makes him a no brainer. — Jones

Crowded COY race

The argument may very well be made for any of the 5 finalists (Shanahan, Pederson, McDermott, Daboll or Sirianni) to win Coach of the Yr. Lions followers and Dolphins followers can take problem with the snubs of their head coaches Dan Campbell and Mike McDaniel. McDaniel squeaked into the playoffs and Campbell’s squad fell brief. They did eradicate the Packers from postseason consideration, so that ought to rely for one thing. Proper?

Ultimately, the opposite 4 coaches all received their workforce into the postseason, so that offers them the sting. Shanahan doing so together with his third-string quarterback makes him the no-brainer. — Jones

How had been the finalists chosen?

The AP announced in November it was updating its voting system for the awards. The 50 nationwide sports activities journalists on the voting panel ranked their high 5 picks for MVP and high three picks for different awards. They may even rank their selections for first- and second-team All-Professional gamers at every place.

Required studying

(Picture: Cary Edmondson / USA Right this moment)