As the NFL season unfolds, experts are making their predictions for the upcoming award winners, including the coveted MVP, the best rookies, and the top comeback player. Jeremy Fowler, a senior national NFL writer for ESPN, has gathered insights from various executives and personnel evaluators across the league. In their critiques, there’s a winner from each of the positions who has become frontrunners for these illustrious awards.
Lamar Jackson, J.J. McCarthy and Micah Parsons are some of the big names making headlines. What’s impressive is that all of them have long made huge impacts on their teams’ fates. And with the season still in its early stages, the conversations about these athletes are growing louder by the day.
Key Contenders for the MVP Award
Lamar Jackson is yet again a leading candidate to win the MVP award. And should he win that third MVP this year, he’ll join an even more elite club of quarterbacks. This elite company features Hall of Fame signal callers such as Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Brett Favre and Johnny Unitas. His ability to pass and then explosively run has the power to make him a dual threat.
An AFC executive commented on Jackson’s potential impact, stating, “Combining the throwing talent with running ability plus adding another underneath RAC weapon will keep him in the conversation.” This latest endorsement is a testament to Jackson’s diverse game, for which the evolution is still happening.
Another AFC executive highlighted Jackson’s remarkable turnaround last year, stating, “I think you could have made the argument for him last year for MVP given how he turned that thing around and how well he played. I’m banking on another Year 2 jump.” That kind of confidence in Jackson’s progression cements him as a top-tier favorite.
Competition remains fierce. J.J. McCarthy is turning heads, with his electric outing in facing Chicago’s vaunted defense. To do so, Jackson needs to stay on this path the rest of the way.
Defenders Making Their Mark
Myles Garrett and Pat Surtain II are monsters on the defensive side of the ball. Each of them is a favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. The player who broke out in a major way last season, leading the NFL in tackles for loss and receiving back-to-back All-Pro nods. His non-stop motor proves he’s on pace for a fifth straight 14 sack season.
An NFC personnel evaluator noted Garrett’s situation: “One thing that hurts him is the Browns could be playing from behind a lot. That hasn’t stopped him before.” All of this suggests that though team success ultimately impacts individual awards, Garrett’s greatness is inarguable.
Pat Surtain II, who won the award in 2024, is definitely reestablishing himself in the conversation after that season. His performance has moved Garrett in the voting conversation, setting up an intriguing race between two top-tier defensive playmakers. As one NFC executive said about Rivera, “He has that team playing angry. It shows just how much Surtain’s impact extends beyond the box score.
No one should forget about the dominance of Jalen Carter. He was a leader in Defensive Rookie of the Year discussion and received more than 50% of the total votes. His performance has raised expectations for every rookie that comes into the league.
Rookies Making Waves
It’s easy to forget that most of the best performers this season are from the rookie class. J.J. McCarthy has made headlines after an impressive performance against Chicago, where he threw two touchdowns and rushed for another to erase an 11-point deficit. With this victory, he proved himself as a serious candidate for Rookie of the Year.
An NFC executive expressed confidence in McCarthy’s potential: “I am high on Ricky and he should see plenty of targets — he has to prove he can stay healthy, though.” The focus on health highlights hurdles that most rookies have to overcome when they enter the NFL.
Najee Harris went through the labyrinth of NIL. He missed all of training camp due to an eye condition. Even with his return to action, Zamir Hampton looks likely to take the reins as the main back. This is a stark reminder of how injuries can change a player’s status and chances on their roster.
Besides McCarthy and Harris, several other rookies look poised to play important roles as the season advances. The race between first-year players for awards is getting very close.
Looking Ahead
As the NFL season gets into full swing, more compelling narratives develop around these players. Join us to see them chart their paths to what might be award-winning projects! Coaches such as Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh are feeling the pressure too as they guide their teams towards Week 1 with double-digit loss totals in their past. Harbaugh is now 6-0 in week one dating back to his San Francisco days.
Speaking of quarterbacks, all eyes will be on Justin Herbert’s situation, too. He has averaged less than 30 passing attempts a game since Los Angeles made the decision to run the ball more. The team’s conservative strategy can affect his box score stats but not his quality as a leader and producer on the field.
The NFL’s competitive balance means that every game remains significant — at least for the players. Because each performance directly affects their chances for awards. Executives are hand-running performances week by week. With any luck, that’ll only mean discussions about MVP candidates and award winners will get even more contentious.
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