ESPN.com’s senior NFL writer Bill Barnwell just published his quarter-season awards. In addition to selecting the league’s most influential players, he’s recognized and profiled the league’s impact rookies. As teams settle into the rhythm of the season, several athletes have emerged as frontrunners for coveted honors such as Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year.
Among the standout performances, players have demonstrated significant growth from previous seasons, with some making substantial impacts on their teams. The analysis showcases notable figures and performances from the overarching 2025 NFL season. It presents a glimpse of who might be in contention for these highly-coveted honors as the year continues on.
Notable Player Improvements
This season, Jones has been a revelation on the field. He’s shown incredible progress since 2022. After an electric season in 2023, he’s taken his play to another level in 2024. By 2025, Jones has become one of the league’s top speed rushers. His knack for disruptive pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been the bedrock of his team’s defensive philosophy.
Despite facing challenges, including throwing his first two interceptions of the season, Jones has enjoyed success on the field. His performance on his second multi-sack game of the year was a proud display of his versatility and tremendous breakneck will. He just created more pressure anyway. He was put into one-on-one blocking situations 88% of the time. This incredible figure is the third-highest rate in the league. This impressive stat highlights his skill to come up clutch and make a high-impact play to boost his team’s defensive performance.
Rising Stars Making Waves
This year has been a unique opportunity for rookies to step into key roles, especially on the o-line. Pairing him with Armand Membou has given the Cougars two of the three best rookie offensive linemen so far through the first four weeks. Upon further inspection, their performances have protected their quarterbacks in the process. Beyond the stat sheet, they have driven the success of their respective teams.
In the realm of skilled positions, Bijan Robinson is leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage, demonstrating an exceptional ability to impact games. He has achieved a pair of 100-yard receiving games, showcasing his versatility as a running back who can be a significant threat in the passing game. His consistency, shot creation and playmaking ability have turned him into one of the best players you’ll want to watch this season.
For context, losing rookie WR Puka Nacua is more like losing that guy judging by his target rate of 42.4% on routes so far this season. His ability to draw double and triple teams from opposing quarterbacks speaks to his ability to find success in the weeks to come as the season progresses. Zay Flowers has flashed a great ability to be efficient with his movement. He’s gained 263 receiving yards on only 104 routes run, producing a staggering 2.5 YPRR. It’s performances like these that point to the youthful exuberance at the top of this year’s rookie class.
Joey Bosa wreaks havoc on the defensive side of the ball. He’s top of the league in terms of pass rush win rate on the edge, holding a three-percentage-point lead over his closest competitors. His disruptive ability and ability to wreck opposing offenses no matter what is what makes him the ultimate weapon for whatever defense he plays for.
Garrett in the news and for good reason! He currently has the second-best quick pressure rate, minimum 80 pass-rush attempts. His ability to burst into the backfield as fast as any edge rusher has had a colossal impact on their defenses gameplans this year.
As teams continue to battle through the season, Jonathan Taylor remains a standout player with at least one highlight-reel run each week. His explosive plays don’t just electrify fans at Lumen Field, they give his team essential momentum-building plays that shift the game in the Seahawks’ favor.
MVP Candidates and Season Highlights
The race for MVP continues to grow tense! Josh Allen came into this season as one of the top favorites, leaving each of his previous seasons as the top marks in completion percentage, yards per attempt and adjusted net yards per attempt. His leadership both on and off the field makes him an exemplary candidate for this highly prestigious award.
Emeka Egbuka stole the show with a scorching 77-yard touchdown during a scramble drill. This incredible play was instrumental in launching Tampa Bay’s furious comeback. These exhilarating moments remind us of the magic that can be created by a transcendent individual performance. Viewed one way, they merely enhance a player’s MVP candidacy in discussions.
Baker Mayfield should definitely get some credit too for engineering three straight last-minute wins to open the year. It’s his poise in the clutch that shows his maturity and emergence as a key figure in his team’s success.
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