Eric Williams· Sep 7, 2026
In the first edition of FOX Sports' Awards Ballot, Williams predicts the top five finishers for each major NFL award: Jahmyr Gibbs for Offensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett to repeat as Defensive Player of the Year, DeMeco Ryans for Coach of the Year, Jadarian Price for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Rueben Bain Jr. for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Patrick Mahomes to win his third MVP.
“I like him (and the Chiefs) to rebound from a poor performance last season to win his third MVP award.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
19 checkable claims — 5 award picks, 5 coach award picks, 5 top player lists, 2 depth chart calls and 2 player season numbers — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 12 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Jadarian Price · 2026 season11 calls from 10 pundits between 1 and 1. Eric Williams said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
19 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.
Rueben Bain to record 10 sacks
“I believe Bain has a chance to reach double-digit sacks playing for a team that should compete for an NFC South title”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsSep 7, 2026
“Most Valuable Player: 5. Lamar Jackson ... 4. Justin Herbert ... 3. Matthew Stafford ... 2. Josh Allen ... 1. Patrick Mahomes”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
A.J. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“he should be by far the most targeted player in New England's offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsSep 7, 2026
“Defensive Rookie Of The Year: 5. Akheem Mesidor ... 4. Caleb Downs ... 3. Sonny Styles ... 2. David Bailey ... 1. Rueben Bain Jr.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 7, 2026
Ben Johnson to win Coach of the Year
“2. Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksSep 7, 2026
Jadarian Price to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“1. Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks ... The scenario sets up nicely for Price to win this award.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksMyles GarrettLos Angeles RamsSep 7, 2026
Myles Garrett to win Defensive Player of the Year
“1. Myles Garrett, Los Angeles Rams ... there's a good chance Garrett could repeat as defensive MVP.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 7, 2026
Demeco Ryans to win Coach of the Year
“Coach Of The Year ... 1. Demeco Ryans, Houston Texans”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksPatrick MahomesKansas City ChiefsSep 7, 2026
Patrick Mahomes to win Most Valuable Player
“1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs ... I like him (and the Chiefs) to rebound from a poor performance last season to win his third MVP award.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsSep 7, 2026
“Defensive Player Of The Year: 5. Trey Hendrickson ... 4. Devon Witherspoon ... 3. Will Anderson Jr. ... 2. Pat Surtain II ... 1. Myles Garrett”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsSep 7, 2026
“Offensive Rookie of the Year: 5. Fernando Mendoza ... 4. KC Concepcion ... 3. De'Zhaun Stribling ... 2. Jeremiyah Love ... 1. Jadarian Price”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jadarian Price to be 1st on the depth chart
“So, Price will start the season as the workhorse back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 7, 2026
Brian Schottenheimer to win Coach of the Year
“3. Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 7, 2026
John Harbaugh to win Coach of the Year
“4. John Harbaugh, New York Giants”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 7, 2026
Kevin O'Connell to win Coach of the Year
“5. Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jahmyr Gibbs to record 2,000 rushing yards
“Gibbs finished with 1,223 rushing yards last season, but could push for 2,000 yards in Petzing's scheme.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsSep 7, 2026
“Offensive Player Of The Year: 5. A.J. Brown ... 4. Christian McCaffrey ... 3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba ... 2. Puka Nacua ... 1. Jahmyr Gibbs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksRueben BainTampa Bay BuccaneersSep 7, 2026
Rueben Bain to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“1. Rueben Bain Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers ... Ten or more sacks would cement Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJahmyr GibbsDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Jahmyr Gibbs to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Offensive Player Of The Year ... 1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.
- Michael HanichDepth Chart Calls · Bud ClarkMiss · 0Hanich suggests Nick Emmanwori may miss Week 1 after ankle surgery, and that Noah Igbinoghene is making a strong case to be the Seahawks' Week 1 starting nickel, with Bud Clark also possibly stepping into a starting role if Emmanwori is out.
More coach award picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanCoach Award PicksMiss · 0Brockman argued that Kyle Shanahan deserves Coach of the Year after the 49ers' road win in Philadelphia, a take Rich Eisen partly called an overreaction since it's a regular-season award.
- Pat GustavsonCoach Award PicksMiss · 0Gustafson picked the Bears, Eagles, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, the Rams and Bears in the NFC, the Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, and the Patriots to beat the Bears in the Super Bowl. His awards slate included Stafford for MVP, Puka for OPOY and Liam Cohen for Coach of the Year.
- Brandon CarneyCoach Award PicksHit · 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.
- Rich EisenCoach Award PicksHit · 100Eisen gave his Week 13 power rankings, with the Rams first, Patriots second and the Cowboys entering at No. 10, and also named New England and Philadelphia as the first teams to clinch playoff spots, picked Seattle to beat Minnesota, and tabbed Drake Maye as an MVP finalist and Mike Vrabel as Coach of the Year.
- Chris BrockmanCoach Award PicksMiss · 0Chris Brockman said Baker Mayfield will finish no lower than third in MVP voting, named Kyle Shanahan the coach of the year front-runner, and predicted both the Giants and Jets will pick in the top five of next year's draft.
- Rich EisenCoach Award PicksMiss · 0Rich Eisen reaffirmed his pick of the Lions to win the NFC while insisting the Eagles remain the team to beat, predicted the Colts beat the Cardinals on a last-second field goal, said the Chargers will not miss the playoffs, and expects Jake Browning to keep starting in Cincinnati and JJ McCarthy to return as Minnesota's starter. He also praised Jonathan Taylor as the best running back and OPOY-caliber, called Emeka Abuka the offensive rookie of the year, agreed Kyle Shanahan is the coach of the year front-runner, and said the Jets will pick in the top five.