This might be the closest race we have had for the MVP award in some time.
MVP: Josh Allen | QB | Bills
Allen is somewhat in Lamar Jackson’s boat from last season. Statistically, he is not playing the best and if you were purely going off of that, he may not even be top three. Similar to last year though, he is clearly “carrying” his team the most, in my opinion, and that is what the MVP award is about. It is not about the stats but who is the most valuable to their team. If a certain QB makes the playoffs though, this award leader may change.
Rank Movement: +/-0
2. Lamar Jackson | QB | Ravens +/-0
3. Joe Burrow | QB | Bengals -NEW-
OPOY: Saquon Barkley | RB | Eagles
Man, I wish the Eagles were not sitting Barkley for week 18. If Barkley were to play, he would have a very good chance of breaking the record for most rushing yards in a season by a player. The record is currently held by former Rams and Colts Hall of Fame RB Eric Dickerson at 2105 yards. That alone speaks to the type of season Barkley is having. While I do not believe one game will swing the favor, an insane game by Ja’Marr Chase could swing the award in Chase’s favor.
Rank Movement: +/-0
2. Ja’Marr Chase | WR | Bengals +/-0
3. Justin Jefferson | WR | Vikings +/-0
DPOY: Myles Garrett | EDGE | Browns
Garrett and Surtain might have been the only two players in the league this season to both play at not only an elite level all season but the best at their position every single game. It is honestly a coin flip at this point. On Garrett’s end, you have an EDGE who has been a game wrecker in the trenches and is the league leader in sacks. On Surtain’s end, you have a CB who has allowed the least amount of yards this season by a defender and who has locked down several superstar receivers this season.
Rank Movement: +2
2. Pat Surtain II | CB | Broncos -NEW-
3. Kerby Joseph | S | Lions -NEW-
OROY: Jayden Daniels | QB | Commanders
I am going to be honest. I think Thomas and Bowers have both been the better players and have had the better seasons. They will not win the award though because of a few reasons. Daniels’ effect he has had on the Commanders is MVP type stuff. The Commanders went from bottom feeders to an 11 win team that is in the playoffs now. That and the MVP award favors QBs more. With all of that being said though, Daniels is still having an amazing season and we could see him in the MVP conversation come next season.
Rank Movement: +/-0
2. Brian Thomas Jr. | WR | Jaguars +1
3. Brock Bowers | TE | Raiders -1
DROY: Jared Verse | EDGE | Rams
Statsheet wise, it has been a weak year for the DROY race. No one player has truly stood out compared to the next. Now, when we dive a little deeper, it becomes clear that one defender has separated himself from the rest. Verse is playing like an elite trench wrecker currently and has all season. His pressure rate and pressures (74! ranked fifth among all defenders) have been what has truly made him stand out from the rest of his peers. If Verse could finish more often and get his sack numbers up, it would not surprise me to see him in the DPOY conversation next season.
Rank Movement: +1
2. Chop Robinson | EDGE | Dolphins -NEW-
3. Braden Fiske | DE | Rams -NEW-
