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NFLMocks’ 5 for 5: Nick Sirianni Leads COTY Race, Jaren Hall Climbing NFL Draft Boards, and Dabo Swinney to the NFL?

By Hunter Haas

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney congratulates quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) scoring a nine-yard touchdown against NC State, during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, October 1, 2022.Ncaa Football Clemson Football Vs Nc State Wolfpack
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney congratulates quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) scoring a nine-yard touchdown against NC State, during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, October 1, 2022.Ncaa Football Clemson Football Vs Nc State Wolfpack /
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Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni on the field against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni on the field against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Headline No. 2: NFL Coach of the Year Leaders

•No. 1: Nick Sirianni (Eagles)

Nick Sirianni inherited a four-win team and led them to the playoffs in year one, but failed to receive a single vote for Coach of the Year. This year, the Philadelphia Eagles look like the best team in football; it is time for their head coach to reap the benefits. The NFC playoffs will likely go through the city of Brotherly Love, and they may have Coach of the Year and the NFL MVP in their corner.

•No. 2: Mike McDaniel (Dolphins)

The Miami Dolphins are coming off a crushing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football. Not only did their undefeated run end, but they also lost their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

A gruesome injury midway through the second quarter will keep the QB out for at least a week, if not much longer. Who knows what the rest of the season will look like, but Mike McDaniel deserves credit for all his achievements in his first month as a head coach.

•No. 3: Kevin O’Connell (Vikings)

This offseason, the Vikings moved on from head coach Mike Zimmer and hired Sean McVay’s protege, Kevin O’Connell. Their performance has been shaky in 2022, but Minnesota does have a win over the Packers under their belt.

Both NFC North teams are sitting at 3-1, meaning that the week one victory could be the tiebreaker for the Vikings’ division title chances. O’Connell is in a great spot to challenge for the award if he can keep Kirk Cousins dialed in.

•No. 4: Doug Pederson (Jaguars)

Doug Pederson brought Philly their first ever Lombardi Trophy in 2017, but after a sour ending, both sides agreed to move on. The Eagles found a great replacement in Nick Sirianni, but Pederson landed on his feet.

Pederson took 2021 off before eventually signing on to be a mentor for former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, Trevor Lawrence. The group looks unrecognizable from the team we saw last year, and although an influx of talent helps, the credit starts and ends with Doug Pederson.

•No. 5: Brian Daboll (Giants)

Brian Daboll deserves praise for helping turn Josh Allen into an NFL MVP-caliber player during his time in Buffalo. After four seasons with the Bills, Daboll departed to become head coach for the New York Giants. Under the leadership of Joe Judge, the team only won four games in 2021.

So far in 2022, Daboll has his squad sitting at 3-1. These are the types of turnarounds that typically garner interest from voters. It would be quite the story if he could find a way into the playoffs in year one.

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