NFL award rankings: Final look at race for MVP, rookie honors, more

With the 2024 NFL season coming to a close, many of the league's best players and coaches put together closing arguments in their cases to claim the top individual awards.

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

Coach of the Year

5. Mike Tomlin, Steelers

The Steelers ended their season on a low note, losing their final four games. But let's not forget what Tomlin did to help Pittsburgh overachieve and reach double-digit wins. His decision to turn to Russell Wilson over Justin Fields midway through the season was controversial but ultimately wise, as Wilson started his Steelers tenure with a 6-1 record and helped get the team to the playoffs.

4. Jim Harbaugh, Chargers

Harbaugh's first regular season back in the NFL couldn't have gone much better, as he helped the Chargers reach the postseason as the 5-seed after they won just five games in 2023. Harbaugh's staff had a major impact on both sides of the ball, helping Justin Herbert get back to his best and building a top-10 defensive unit.

3. Dan Quinn, Commanders

It felt like the Commanders were years away from contending when they hired Quinn as head coach and drafted quarterback Jayden Daniels during the 2024 offseason. Less than a year later, Washington is headed to the playoffs with a 12-5 record, a major improvement from the club's 4-13 mark in 2023.

2. Dan Campbell, Lions

Detroit won the NFC North with a 12-5 record in 2023, but somehow Campbell's outfit was even better this season. Despite several injuries to starters, the 15-2 Lions enjoyed their best-ever regular season and secured the NFC's 1-seed. The Lions once again enter the playoffs as a top contender, and Campbell and his staff deserve a ton of credit.

1. Kevin O'Connell, Vikings

O'Connell's season has Coach of the Year written all over it. This award often rewards the coach who overachieves the most, and that was certainly the 39-year-old. O'Connell turned the 7-10 team he had in 2023 into a 14-3 powerhouse despite losing Kirk Cousins and starting Sam Darnold at quarterback, which seemed like a major downgrade in the offseason. O'Connell and his staff elevated Minnesota to a new level and helped morph Darnold into a touchdown machine.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

5. Edgerrin Cooper, Packers

Cooper was everywhere on the field and a great find for the Packers under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. The second-round pick was twice named NFC Defensive Player of the Week and finished the season with 87 tackles (13 for loss), four pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and one interception.

4. Chop Robinson, Dolphins

Robinson didn't get his first sack until November, but the promising edge rusher still piled up six by the end of the campaign to go along with 14 QB hits. He also had 56 pressures - the second most among rookies, according to TruMedia - and projects to be a key member of Miami's defense in 2025.

3. Braden Fiske, Rams

The Rams traded a pair of second-rounders to move up and draft Fiske 39th overall. They should feel good about that decision. The defensive tackle had 10 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks (most among rookies), and two forced fumbles to help L.A.'s defensive line stay sharp despite Aaron Donald's retirement. With Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Fiske, and another promising defender who's our top rookie on this list, the Rams' future is bright.

2. Quinyon Mitchell, Eagles

Elite cornerbacks can go unnoticed in games, often doing such a good job in coverage that opposing QBs avoid throwing their way. That was the case with Mitchell for parts of the Eagles' season. The first-round corner allowed only an 87 passer rating. If not for the lack of game-changing plays (Mitchell finished 2024 with zero takeaways), he would've made an even stronger case as a top DROY candidate.

1. Jared Verse, Rams

No rookie defender was better and as consistent as Verse was. The Florida State first-round stud led all rookies with 77 pressures (no other rookie had more than 60) to go along with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He was the Rams' most important defensive player, helping the team reach the playoffs despite starting 1-4.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

5. Malik Nabers, Giants

It took only one season for Nabers to set a Giants record for receptions in a season with 109. He did so despite missing two games through injury. His 1,204 receiving yards were good enough for seventh among all NFL receivers. Had Nabers not missed time, he likely would have made it a very tough call for the top spot here.

4. Bo Nix, Broncos

The No. 12 pick strengthened his case as the year progressed. From Week 8 on, Nix ranked eighth in EPA/dropback, per TruMedia, coming in ahead of Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, among others. Most significant to Broncos fans, though, is Nix ended the team's eight-year playoff drought. He showed incredible poise for a first-year passer coming to a club that's struggled to find an answer under center since Peyton Manning retired.

3. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars

The top three wideouts in receiving yards this season read like this: Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Brian Thomas Jr. Two are the best in their respective conferences, while the other is a rookie. That's the kind of company Thomas kept during his first season. With 87 receptions, 1,282 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 14.7 yards per catch, Thomas lit up the field in Duval County.

2. Brock Bowers, Raiders

Bowers rewrote the record books in his first taste of NFL action. Not only did he set a Raiders record for receptions in a season, but his 112 grabs were the most by an NFL rookie ever. His 1,194 receiving yards passed Mike Ditka's rookie record of most yards by a tight end, set in 1961. Even more incredible, Bowers was just four catches off tying the TE record for receptions in a season (116 by Zach Ertz in 2018). He ranked 15th all time in receiving yards for his position.

1. Jayden Daniels, Commanders

When you stack it all up, no rookie is more deserving of the top spot than Daniels. The No. 2 pick finished top 10 in EPA/dropback, according to TruMedia, already solidifying his place in the NFL. His 891 rushing yards also surpassed former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III for most by a rookie quarterback ever. What really mattered, though, was his poise, as Daniels appeared NFL-ready from Week 1. His 12 wins as a starter led the Commanders to the postseason for the first time since 2020, while his four game-winning drives were tied for second most, trailing only Mahomes.

Defensive Player of the Year

5. Nik Bonitto, Broncos

Bonitto was given an opportunity to make his mark in 2024, and he didn't leave any scraps on the table. The third-year pass-rusher broke out in a big way, as only Trey Hendrickson (17) and Myles Garrett (14) registered more sacks than he did (13.5). He also showcased some flash that can catch voters' attention with two defensive touchdowns, one coming on a pick-6 and the other via a fumble recovery.

4. Myles Garrett, Browns

Garrett hasn't been shy in his belief that he's the NFL's best pass-rusher. He built a strong case this season, but it likely won't be enough for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to win the award again. Garrett finished second in sacks with 14, while his 22 tackles for loss led the NFL. His case is slightly weakened by the Browns' poor record. Overall, it was another terrific year for Garrett, who's now recorded over 10 sacks in seven straight seasons.

3. Trey Hendrickson, Bengals

Hendrickson flew under the radar for too long, but his work has finally gotten the appreciation it deserves. No player in the NFL recorded more sacks than the pass-rusher's 17.5. His 83 pressures were tied for the league lead, according to PFF, while his pressure rate ranked in the top three. The Bengals' defense was incredibly poor this season, but Hendrickson was a one-man wrecking crew.

2. T.J. Watt, Steelers

Watt was the overwhelming favorite to win his second DPOY award before ending the season with a whimper. The 30-year-old had 11.5 sacks but recorded just two over his last five games, and both came in one contest. Still, Watt gets recognition for his game-changing ability, which was once again on full display. He led the NFL in forced fumbles with six and was the only player to notch over 10 sacks and five forced fumbles.

1. Pat Surtain, Broncos

While the last four Defensive Player of the Year awards have gone to a pass-rusher, the Broncos' star cornerback has done more than enough to bring the honor back to the secondary with a four-interception campaign. Of all corners with at least 600 coverage snaps, Surtain placed first in receptions allowed (37), yards allowed (317), and yards per reception (8.6) and second in passer rating when targeted (61.1), per PFF. His contributions are a key reason why the Broncos finished third in points allowed and returned to the postseason.

MVP

5. Jared Goff, Lions

Goff quarterbacked the 15-2 Lions to a historic regular season for the franchise. The veteran ranked in the top four in completion percentage (72.4), passing yards (4,629), and touchdown passes (37) while helping Detroit finish as the NFC's top seed. The 30-year-old enjoyed his best season since entering the NFL as the No. 1 pick in 2016.

4. Joe Burrow, Bengals

Burrow led the NFL in completions (460), passing yards (4,918), and touchdowns (43). He may have been this season's best QB. Yet, we can't rank him any higher because the defensively deficient Bengals finished just 9-8 and missed the playoffs.

3. Saquon Barkley, Eagles

Any realistic chances Barkley had of winning MVP rested on the star running back breaking the single-season rushing yards record that's stood since 1984. Philadelphia rested its starters in the final week of the regular season, so Barkley fell short. But let's not forget how special his 2024 was. He became only the ninth NFL player to run for over 2,000 yards and led the league in scrimmage yards (2,283) and touches (378). He also scored 15 TDs in 16 games.

2. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Sequels are rarely better, but Jackson followed up his 2023 MVP campaign with arguably an even better performance. Over 4,000 passing yards and 40 touchdowns? Check. The NFL leader in passer rating? Check again. The best EPA/dropback, according to TruMedia? Yes. The two-time MVP had his finest season as a passer while also adding 915 yards on the ground, his most since 2020. This season demonstrated what a peak dual-threat Jackson can do.

1. Josh Allen, Bills

Narratives are a major part of the NFL's award ceremony, there's no denying that. Allen powered the Bills to a 13-win campaign despite losing his two leading receivers from last season, with signature victories over the Chiefs and Lions, the No. 1 seed in each conference. His numbers serve as the finishing touch to his case for MVP. For a fifth straight season, Allen combined for 40-plus passing and rushing touchdowns. He flashed his cannon arm (7.7 yards per pass, his highest since 2020) and rushing ability (12 scores), but he also protected the football with a career-low six interceptions.