NFL award rankings: Early leaders in race for MVP, top rookie, more

Six weeks of the 2024 NFL season are in the books, and several stars have already started to make their case for prestigious honors.

Here's a look at the five best candidates for the main awards.

Coach of the Year

5. Raheem Morris, Falcons

Atlanta hadn't figured out its offensive game plan with Kirk Cousins at QB in Week 1, but the team has looked significantly better since that season-opening loss. Morris deserves credit for putting together a squad that is currently above average on both sides of the ball. At 4-2, the Falcons currently lead the NFC South.

4. Dan Campbell, Lions

Campbell probably feels like he should have taken home Coach of the Year honors last season when he led the Lions to a 12-5 mark and division title. If voters didn't notice his leadership in 2023, Campbell is making sure they can't disregard him again. The Lions are off to a 4-1 start behind a league-best 30.2 points per game and a defense that ranks eighth in points allowed. Detroit's next game is against the undefeated Vikings. A win would send Campbell soaring up the COTY leaderboards.

3. Demeco Ryans, Texans

The Texans came into this season with lofty expectations after a surprise playoff run in 2023 and the offseason additions of Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, among others. Many young, promising teams crash into this wall of expectations, but not Ryan's Texans. Despite Mixon being sidelined for three games and star receiver Nico Collins also on the shelf, Houston has kept rolling. A 5-1 record with C.J. Stroud reinforcing his status as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks and Will Anderson growing into a premier pass-rusher leaves Ryans a hot choice for Coach of the Year.

2. Dan Quinn, Commanders

Dan Quinn's offseason hiring wasn't met with much excitement. A recycled, defensive coach leading a Washington team with a raw rookie quarterback seemed like a troubled bet. But, Quinn hasn't just proved his doubters wrong, he's laughed in their faces. The Commanders are off to an incredible 4-2 start with Jayden Daniels not only in Rookie of the Year conversations, but in MVP discussions as well.

1. Kevin O'Connell, Vikings

Who would have thought the Vikings would be one of two undefeated teams through six weeks. O'Connell has Sam Darnold playing lights-out football with 11 touchdowns against four interceptions, and for the second time in his three seasons, O'Connell has the Vikings' offense in the top eight in scoring. Let's also not forget that he's doing this in a division that hosts four clubs with at least four wins.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

5. Chop Robinson, Dolphins

It might seem odd to include a player who has yet to record a single sack. However, Robinson's eight pressures are third most among rookie edge rushers, while his 16.7% win rate is second best in that group, according to PFF. It wouldn't be surprising if Robinson finds himself firmly in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors late in the year.

4. Braden Fiske, Rams

Fiske isn't receiving a lot of buzz for the award - mostly because his rookie teammate has soaked up all the attention - but he deserves to be in the discussion. The Florida State product is second in pressures and quarterback hurries among rookies, per PFF. If he keeps performing at this rate, voters may have to split the award in half for him and fellow Rams rookie Jared Verse.

3. Quinyon Mitchell, Eagles

Mitchell is a Day 1 starter in the Eagles' secondary, and he's doing more than just holding his own. The first-rounder has recorded six passes defended so far. He's been quite reliable, allowing only 55.6% of targets his way to be caught, per PFF.

2. Laiatu Latu, Colts

Latu saw a limited number of snaps through the first three games while serving as a member of Indy's pass-rush rotation. But the Colts needed their first-round edge rusher to step up after multiple injuries in recent weeks - and he hasn't disappointed. The former UCLA star has generated the second-most pressures among rookies in 2024 and already forced two fumbles, including a crucial fourth-quarter strip sack on Caleb Williams as Indianapolis beat the Chicago Bears in Week 3.

1. Jared Verse, Rams

Verse is the best rookie defender so far this season, and it's not particularly close. The 19th overall pick isn't stealing headlines yet - he's recorded just one sack - but he's amassed five tackles for loss, forced one fumble, and created 20 pressures, the most among first-year players, according to PFF. The 23-year-old is showing signs he can be a defensive cornerstone as the Rams transition into the post-Aaron Donald era.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

5. Brian Thomas, Jaguars

Thomas has been one of the few bright spots in a dreadful Jaguars season so far. The LSU product not only leads all rookies in receiving yards with 424, but his yardage is also top 10 among all NFL receivers. A big-play threat, Thomas' 17 yards per reception is sixth most across all qualified wideouts.

4. Brock Bowers, Raiders

Forget rookies, Bowers has been one of the best tight ends in the entire league. The Georgia product leads the position with 37 receptions and 384 yards. He's only scored one touchdown but is tied for most catches of 20-plus yards among TEs with five. In addition to standout pass-catching ability, the No. 13 pick has been a top-10 tight end in run-blocking this season, according to PFF.

3. Malik Nabers, Giants

There are two reasons why Nabers isn't first in this ranking, and both are out of his control: a historic rookie performance by the guy a couple spots ahead and a concussion forcing Nabers to miss two games. Before the injury, he entered Week 5 as the NFL leader in receptions (34), while his 386 receiving yards were second most.

2. Caleb Williams, Bears

Williams has looked good following two slow games to start his rookie season. The No. 1 pick is coming off his best NFL performance, as he completed 79% of his passes while throwing for four touchdowns against the Jaguars in London. His improvement has been key for the Bears, who head into their bye week with a 4-2 record and three straight wins. Williams ranks sixth in the league with five big-time throws since Week 4, according to PFF.

1. Jayden Daniels, Commanders

It's been a historic start for the second overall pick. Daniels became the first player ever to register over 1,000 passing yards and 250 rushing yards across five games to begin a career. His 75.3 completion percentage also leads all quarterbacks this season. Daniels isn't adjusting to the NFL, he's imposing his will. At this point, there's a sizeable gap between him and the rest.

Defensive Player of the Year

5. Maxx Crosby, Raiders

New year, same story for Crosby, who's the best player on the underachieving Raiders. Despite missing one game due to injury, the three-time Pro Bowler leads the NFL with nine tackles for loss. He's now registered 54 TFL in his last 39 appearances dating back to 2022, easily the most in the league. Crosby has also racked up 5.5 sacks and two pass breakups in 2024.

4. Xavier McKinney, Packers

McKinney has looked good in green and yellow. He'd look even better with the Defensive Player of the Year award in his hands. At his current pace, it may be hard to deny him the accolade. McKinney has been the worst enemy of many quarterbacks this season with his league-leading five interceptions. The Packers safety has been incredibly consistent, grabbing one pick in five of his six games played.

3. Dexter Lawrence, Giants

The biggest obstacle standing in between Lawrence and the DPOY award might be his own team. The Giants' poor 2-4 record might detract voters from giving Lawrence his due, but the defensive tackle has been a stud. His seven sacks are tied for second most in the league, while his 11 quarterback hits are tied for third. His play against the run has been equally impressive, as Lawrence's run defense grade is second highest among all qualified interior defenders, per PFF.

2. Will Anderson, Texans

From Defensive Rookie of the Year to Defensive Player of the Year? Don't rule it out. The 2023 third overall pick has been terrorizing backfields this season, and that goes for both opposing quarterbacks and running backs. Anderson has notched 5.5 sacks, and his nine tackles for a loss are tied for the most in the NFL. It seems like the Texans pass-rusher is unblockable, which could also hold true as he pursues the top defensive honor.

1. T.J. Watt, Steelers

This is familiar territory for Watt, who has become the DPOY favorite following Aidan Hutchinson's gruesome leg injury. Watt doesn't lead the league in any category, but he's been a jack of all trades in 2024 with 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and eight tackles for a loss. No other player in the NFL owns a stat line like that.

MVP

5. C.J. Stroud, Texans

Stroud is proving his rookie season was no fluke. The second-year quarterback plays with a veteran's composure, as he's upped his completion percentage from 63.9% to 68.3% while compiling 1,577 yards and 10 touchdowns to four interceptions through six starts. Were it not for an unusually poor showing against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, Stroud's record would be flawless. He has propelled the Texans to five victories in six contests and led a game-winning drive in two of those games.

4. Jayden Daniels, Commanders

The early front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year is also an MVP candidate. With elite accuracy and standout rushing ability, the athletic playmaker leads all QBs in EPA/play and is Washington's best player. At 4-2, the Commanders have already matched their win total from 2023. If Daniels can maintain his momentum and the Commanders continue to overachieve, he'll be a favorite for the award in the season's second half.

3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Mahomes isn't lighting up the stat sheet like he normally does. But, he's leading the AFC's lone undefeated team. That counts for a lot when it comes to MVP voting. To boost his case, the three-time Super Bowl champion is doing it with a pass-catching group consisting of Travis Kelce, rookie Xavier Worthy, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. If anything, Mahomes' 5-0 start proves he is truly inevitable.

2. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

The reigning NFL MVP won't surrender the trophy without a fight. Jackson is averaging a career-high 254.8 passing yards per game with a 67% completion rate, 10 passing touchdowns, and only two interceptions. His 403 rushing yards through six games is already nearly half of the 821 he posted in 2023. Last year, Jackson looked as complete a player as we've seen, but he appears to have gone a step further in 2024. He also seems to be only be gaining momentum with four straight wins and back-to-back 300-yard passing games entering Week 7.

1. Josh Allen, Bills

Many thought the Bills' Super Bowl window may have closed as the team entered the season with a flawed roster and major questions at wide receiver. Six weeks in and Buffalo has posted a 4-2 record and looks like a playoff team. That's largely thanks to Allen, who's passed for 10 touchdowns and has yet to be intercepted. Granted, the blowout loss to Jackson and the Ravens could be an issue for Allen's campaign, but the 28-year-old continues to make plays with his legs and also ranks second among QBs in EPA/play (behind Daniels). Allen has ranked in the top five for MVP three times in his career, including two top-three finishes. Is this the year he finally claims football's most prestigious individual award?