NFL award rankings: Race heating up for MVP, rookie honors, more

With only three weeks left in the 2023 NFL regular season, the race for the league's top awards is heating up.

Here's a look at the best five candidates for the main honors:

Coach of the Year

5. DeMeco Ryans, Texans

Ryans' first season in Houston couldn't have gone much better. Under the first-year head coach, the Texans have started this season 8-6 after winning seven games combined in 2021 and 2022. And it's not that Houston has a ton of individual talent. Granted, the team drafted quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson in the top three last April, but their transition to the NFL has been a lot smoother thanks to what Ryans and his coaching staff have done on both sides of the ball. In Week 15, Ryans and Co. showed how strong their group is by beating the Titans despite missing Stroud, Anderson, and other key starters due to injury.

4. Kevin Stefanski, Browns

Ryans won one game with a backup quarterback. Stefanski has helped the Browns to a 9-5 record despite starting four different QBs: Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, P.J. Walker, and Joe Flacco. Cleveland has won at least one contest with each under center. Most recently, Stefanski's offensive system helped Flacco post back-to-back 300-yard games to keep Cleveland in a playoff spot despite playing without star running back Nick Chubb since Week 3. The 2020 Coach of the Year winner and his coaching staff have done a tremendous job of putting together a balanced team that features an elite defense and very physical offense.

3. Shane Steichen, Colts

A few months ago, nobody thought Indianapolis would be in the playoff race. Former All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor started the campaign on the physically unable to perform list, and fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson sustained a season-ending injury in Week 5. Only a really well-coached team would be able to overcome those losses and sit at 8-6 with three games left on the season. While Indy hasn't played the toughest schedule, Steichen and Co. have built an above-average offense with Gardner Minshew at quarterback and a top-10 defense in the second half of the season.

2. Mike McDaniel, Dolphins

Though coaches who can do more with less have been favored for COY recently, McDaniel deserves a lot of credit for building the NFL's best offensive scheme. The Dolphins, who entered 2023 with high expectations, are the league's highest-scoring team and rank first in passing yards and fourth in rushing yards per game. Few coaches, if any, have maximized skill-position players' talents like McDaniel.

1. Dan Campbell, Lions

No other coach has impacted a team on and off the field in the last three seasons like Campbell, who's having his best year on the Lions. Detroit is 10-4 this season - its first double-digit-win campaign since 2014 - and one win away from its first divisional title since 1993. With help from coordinator Ben Johnson, Campbell has built an offensive juggernaut that plays to his players' strengths like no other. We won't blame you if you don't believe the Lions can make a run in the playoffs - they're still the only NFC team that's never played in the Super Bowl. But Detroit has something really special going on under Campbell.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

5. Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers

Kancey has had some issues against the run, but few young defensive linemen can generate pressure and take down opposing quarterbacks like the No. 19 pick. Despite missing three games due to injury, the Pitt product has racked up the second-most sacks (four) and QB hits (12) among rookies. He also leads this draft class with nine tackles for loss.

4. Ivan Pace Jr., Vikings

We won't blame you if you aren't familiar with Pace. Unlike the other DROY candidates - all of whom were first-round picks - the Cincinnati product entered the NFL as an undrafted player. He's since exceeded expectations significantly. A dynamic linebacker with quick feet and great instincts, Pace has racked up 77 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one interception through 14 games. The 23-year-old - who was named Defensive Player of the Week after a 13-tackle, one-interception outing in Week 14 - is a main force on Minnesota's rejuvenated defense.

3. Will Anderson, Texans

Anderson is a key member of Ryans' defense in Houston. The Alabama product, the top edge rusher available in the draft, stands out for his consistency and has amassed 42 tackles (eight for loss), five sacks, and 19 QB hits, the most in the NFL among first-year players. While Anderson's resume lacks game-changing plays - he has yet to force a turnover - there aren't many flaws in the 22-year-old's game. His performances have arguably been better than his stat line suggests. He's a great run defender who's also in the top 25 in the whole league in pass rush win rate, according to PFF.

2. Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks

Injuries have cost Witherspoon two games, but when he's on the field, it's hard not to fall in love with the dynamic cornerback's play. The No. 5 pick rarely makes mistakes and has already established himself as one of Seattle's main defensive leaders. A corner with outstanding instincts, unmatchable explosiveness, and the tackling ability of a linebacker, the Illinois product has recorded 65 tackles, four QB hits, three sacks, one forced fumble, one pick-6, and 16 pass breakups, which is tied for the third-most in the league. He's also posted one of the season's greatest individual performances thanks to his Week 4 masterpiece.

1. Jalen Carter, Eagles

Forget rookies - few defenders in the NFL have been able to pile up clutch plays as often as Carter, this year's ninth overall selection. The interior lineman has put on a show in Year 1, racking up 28 tackles (seven for loss), eight QB hits, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble return touchdown. The Georgia product is also the sixth-highest-graded interior defensive lineman and ranks fifth in pass rush win rate at his position in 2023, according to PFF. Even though Carter's production in the second half of the season hasn't been as impressive, he's still one of the few Eagles players making big plays amid the team's three-game skid.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

5. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

This race's fifth place came down to Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, the Atlanta Falcons tailback who ranks second in scrimmage yards among rookies. However, Gibbs has been more effective, outgaining the Falcons back in yards per carry (5.7-4.6). Plus, the Lions running back has had a greater impact on his team. While Atlanta is still figuring out how to explore Robinson's talents, Gibbs keeps improving in Detroit. The No. 12 pick, who has scored eight touchdowns in his last eight appearances, has recorded 1,088 scrimmage yards and eight total TDs while leading all first-year players in broken tackles on rushing plays.

4. Jordan Addison, Vikings

Addison was the fourth and last wide receiver drafted in the first round but has been the most productive pass-catcher of the group. The USC product has caught nine touchdowns - tied for the most among first-year players - to go along with 824 yards on 62 receptions. Six of his scores covered at least 20 yards, including two 60-plus-yard TDs. Addison is a solid No. 2 option for the Vikings and also flashed his potential as their No. 1 WR in the seven games Justin Jefferson missed with an injury.

3. Sam LaPorta, Lions

LaPorta is the fastest-rising Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Though that may not be enough for the second-round tight end to jump to No. 1 by season's end, it'll help him continue to put up unreal numbers and make history along the way. With 71 receptions for 758 yards and nine touchdowns, the Iowa product essentially already owns every Lions single-season record for a rookie TE. Oh, and he's the first player at his position in NFL history to produce 70-700-9 as a rookie. LaPorta, who ranks in the top four for basically every tight end stat, has scored at least one touchdown in three of his last four games, including three in Week 15.

2. Puka Nacua, Rams

The most productive receiver in the 2023 draft class, Nacua continues to turn heads despite entering the league as a fifth-round pick. Not only does Nacua lead all first-year pass-catchers in targets (146), catches (96), and receiving yards (1,327), but the BYU product - who's scored five TDs - is the only rookie to even post 100-plus targets and 1,000-plus yards so far in 2023. A great fit in Sean McVay's offense, Nacua recorded at least 150 scrimmage yards for the fourth time while putting on a show versus the Saints on Thursday.

1. C.J. Stroud, Texans

Stroud missed last week due to a concussion, but the award is still his to lose. The No. 2 pick is easily football's best rookie quarterback and has been crucial in helping Houston suddenly become a playoff candidate in the AFC. In 13 starts, he's completed 62.4% of his passes while tossing 3,631 yards and 20 touchdowns against five interceptions. Stroud may not be in the MVP conversation like he was a few weeks ago, but only a disaster in the season's final stretch would prevent the Ohio State product from winning the OROY.

Defensive Player of the Year

5. Danielle Hunter, Vikings

Hunter has been a cornerstone for a top-10 Minnesota defense that's played better than many expected. The dynamic Brian Flores-coordinated unit put Hunter in a great position to succeed, and the results have been incredible: The three-time Pro Bowler has already set a career single-season high with 15.5 sacks, which ranks second in the NFL this year. He's also racked up 21 tackles for loss (the most in the league) and four forced fumbles.

4. DaRon Bland, Cowboys

Dallas needed a corner who could make game-changing plays after Trevon Diggs sustained a September season-ending injury, and that's exactly what Bland has done. In 2023, the second-year cornerback has helped keep the Cowboys' secondary as one of the league's most dangerous units by setting an NFL single-season record with five pick-6s. He leads the league with eight interceptions. But Bland is more than just a turnover machine: the 24-year-old also ranks sixth with 14 pass breakups and has allowed a 62 passer rating in 74 targets.

3. T.J. Watt, Steelers

A healthy Watt continues to dominate and pile up more sacks than any other player. The Steelers linebacker - who led the NFL in sacks in 2020 and 2021 but had an injury-plagued 2022 - paces the league with 16 sacks in 14 games this season. The former DPOY also has 29 QB hits under his belt to go along with seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one interception, and one defensive touchdown. His ability to impact the game in so many different ways is unmatchable. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh losing three straight games and likely missing the playoffs will be a big blow to Watt's case as football's top defender.

2. Micah Parsons, Cowboys
1. Myles Garrett, Browns

This is such a close battle.

Garrett seemed to have a big lead in the DPOY race, but quiet recent performances by his standards - combined with Parsons' dominance - mean both have realistic shots at winning the Defensive Player of the Year award for the first time. Garrett has never been this close to taking it home throughout his career, while Parsons finished second for DPOY in each of the last two NFL seasons. Is this finally the year for the Cowboys stud? Here's what they've done so far in 2023:

Garrett and Parsons are also the two edge rushers who face double teams at the highest rates in the league.

It's hard to pick one side. Garrett has a slight edge for being the best player on the NFL's best defense. Parsons - currently the betting favorite - is also a star in a premier defensive unit. However, the supporting cast around him is better than what's surrounding Garrett, whose four forced fumbles could also make a difference in the end. Thanks to the 2017 No. 1 pick's game-changing plays, the Browns are on track to make the playoffs despite starting four different quarterbacks.

MVP

5. Josh Allen, Bills

Allen has entered the chat.

He had only 94 passing yards in Buffalo's statement win over Dallas but was still a big part of the team's offense, accounting for one touchdown in the air and another score on the ground. Allen - who's finished in the top three for MVP twice in his career - has now recorded both a passing and rushing TD in 10 games this campaign, a single-season record. He's accounted for 37 touchdowns and ranks fourth in EPA/play among QBs. Buffalo has already lost six games and Allen has 14 interceptions, so it's hard to see him winning MVP. That said, this race remains open, and the best player on a red-hot contender shouldn't be taken for granted.

4. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins

Hill remains in MVP contention but Miami blowing out the Jets in Week 15 without the injured wideout doesn't look great on his case for the league's most prestigious individual award. Hill's injury doesn't seem major, so the speedster can still become the first player ever to top 2,000 receiving yards in a season (in just 16 games). That's the only thing Hill can do to have a real shot at winning the MVP. It's unlikely, but Hill - who tops the NFL in receiving yards and TD catches - was on pace to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark before sustaining the injury.

3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Don't look now, but Jackson is coming. Playing in a new system under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, the Baltimore passer is putting together an MVP resume in a different way than he did when he won the award in 2019. That year, Jackson led the NFL in TD passes and set a QB single-season record in rushing yards. No quarterback has performed to that level in 2023. Jackson has completed 66.3% of his passes - a career-high - to go along with 22 total touchdowns. The former first-round pick - who's under center for the No. 1 seed in the AFC - ranks in the top 15 among QBs in passing yards and leads the position in yards on the ground. His 2023 might not be MVP-worthy just yet, but that could drastically change if he steals the show in the Ravens' highly anticipated clash against the Brock Purdy-led 49ers.

2. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

The zero-touchdown outing in a Week 15 loss to Buffalo could end up costing Prescott the MVP award. But let's not forget how great the Cowboys passer has been in this campaign's second half. He has passed for 18 touchdowns to only two interceptions in his last seven starts while quarterbacking one of football's best teams. Prescott ranks second among all QBs in EPA/play. Dallas has tough matchups versus Miami and Detroit coming up before a Week 18 game versus Washington. Three outstanding performances and a 3-0 record in that span could give Prescott a real shot at becoming the first-ever Cowboys quarterback to be named MVP.

1. Brock Purdy, 49ers

Purdy being the MVP favorite is football's most debatable topic. Yes, the San Francisco quarterback has a stellar scheme and supporting cast around him. He doesn't make off-script plays nearly as often as other QBs (and former MVP winners). But as great as the Niners' skill-position players are, no other Kyle Shanahan quarterback has helped make the team as efficient and unstoppable offensively as Purdy, who leads the NFL in touchdown passes, passer rating, Total QBR, and EPA/play. His anticipation, timing, and mobility have been exactly what the 49ers needed to take their star-studded offensive unit to another level. In a year in which ultra-talented QBs aren't playing their best football, an extremely efficient system quarterback winning the MVP is the most likely scenario for now.