One of the byproducts of having a capable NFL team for which to root is the numerous individual awards campaigns for the upcoming season. When your team stinks (like, say, the 2021 and 2022 Texans), there are no individual accolades coming for any of the players. When your team is good (like, say, this season’s Texans), then awards possibilities abound.
It’s fun to root for your team to win the division, conference, or a Super Bowl, but it’s also fun to see your favorite players win individual hardware, like C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson winning the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, respectively, back in 2023.
Now comes the individual hardware possibilities for 2025, and the Houston Texans are all over the odds board with six different players in four different categories. So let’s talk some gambling hypotheticals — if I had $100 to wager on these categories, here is the order in which I’d wager, based on betting value:
DeMECO RYANS – Coach of the Year, +2500
Don’t get me wrong, I think DeMeco Ryans is one of the best coaches in the NFL, but the formula for winning the Coach of the Year Award typically entails one of two routes — either you’re a first year head coach whose team overachieves, a formula that almost won Ryans the award in 2023, or you’re the head coach of one of the top two or three teams in the NFL. I like the Texans in 2025, but I wouldn’t; vet on them going 14-3 or something like that.
NICO COLLINS – Offensive Player of the Year, +1800
Nico Collins was on pace for an historical season early last year, before pulling his hamstring in Week 5. He was headed for an 1,800 yard receiving year. Hell, his first play back from injury, he took a 77 yard screen to the house, but it was called back on a penalty by Laremy Tunsil. I tink Collins can contend for this award, but his injury history hurts the cause. He’s missed at least a few games each season, and I can’t take that chance on it happening again in 2025.
CJ STROUD – Most Valuable Player, +2500
This time a year ago, Stroud was among the too four candidates for the MVP award, but we know how 2024 went for Stroud. He was good, but not great, and got no help from his offensive line. That’s the big question — can Stroud’s offensive line play well enough and protect him well enough to contend for the MVP award. I think they can, but not to the degree where I’d take Stroud for MVP over any of the Texans’ Defensive Player of the Year candidates.
DEREK STINGLEY – Defensive Player of the Year, +6000
It’s hard for a cornerback to win the Defensive Player of the Year award without a slew of interceptions. Stingley has garnered five picks in each of the last two seasons, but if I had to guess, defenses are going to avoid throwing his way this season. Stingley might be better than he was last season, but with fewer picks. That’s a formula for having the best Pro Football Focus score for a cornerback, but not a formula for wining Defensive Player of the Year. Still, at 60 to 1, I’d throw my $100 down on Stingley before the others preceding him here.
DANIELLE HUNTER – Defensive Player of the Year, +8000
I don’t love Hunter’s chances at this award, as he always seems to be fighting against a system that underrates him, but at 80 to 1, if he has a 17 sack season, or something like that, and the Texans are the one or two seed in the AFC, Hunter could make a great case.
WILL ANDERSON – Defensive Player of the Year, +1200
I love Will Anderson, and I love his chances of making another big leap in this third season, similar to what he did in his second season. I’ve never covered a player more hyper focused on improvement in the offseason, and I’ve never covered a player who can identify so specifically the things he needs to do to improve. Anderson is going to have a monster year. For purposes of this exercise, the safest pick (by the odds) is the best pick.
Listen to Sean Pendergast on SportsRadio 610 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays. Also, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/SeanTPendergast, on Instagram at instagram.com/sean.pendergast, and like him on Facebook at facebook.com/SeanTPendergast.