NFL award rankings: Early leaders in race for MVP, rookie honors, more

The first four weeks of the 2021 NFL season are in the books, and the race for the league's top awards is shaping up.

Here's a current look at the best five candidates for the main awards, including Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year.

Coach of the Year5. Sean McVay, Rams Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Rams have put themselves back in contender status, with Matthew Stafford showing off his arm and McVay demonstrating his genius on offense. McVay has Los Angeles off to a 3-1 start while averaging nearly 29 points per contest, a big jump from last year. With a capable quarterback at his disposal, McVay has once again put the league on notice.

4. John Harbaugh, Ravens

What Harbaugh has been able to do with injury-riddled Baltimore is nothing short of remarkable. The veteran coach has managed to lead his team through rocky waters despite missing multiple starters. With their backs against the wall, Harbaugh's Ravens have shown they won't go down without a fight.

3. Matt Rhule, Panthers

The Panthers took a shot on Rhule in 2020, believing he could rebuild the franchise. It took only one campaign, but Rhule looks to be on the right track in 2021. Despite suffering the season's first loss Sunday, the fact remains that Carolina is one of the league's most well-balanced clubs. The 3-1 Panthers have recorded over 370 yards of offense in each game so far while also allowing the third-fewest points per game.

2. Jon Gruden, Raiders

After being a punching bag for pundits during recent years, Gruden and the Raiders are finally punching back. Las Vegas' band of misfits is playing entertaining but captivating football at 3-1. The Raiders haven't had it easy either, defeating the Ravens, Steelers, and Dolphins - three teams who had 10-plus wins last season. Al Davis said, "Just win, baby," and Gruden has Vegas doing just that.

1. Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Can anyone stop Kingsbury and the Cardinals? Right now, the answer looks like a resounding no. It took a few years, but Kingsbury has implemented a well-oiled machine and has a world-class driver to operate it in Kyler Murray. With these two at the helm, Arizona is putting up video-game numbers and off to its first 4-0 start since 2012, leaving no doubt about who should be the front-runner for Coach of the Year.

Defensive Rookie of the Year5. Patrick Surtain, Broncos

The 10th overall pick in this year's draft has lived up to his billing so far for the Broncos. Denver threw Surtain into the fire after starting corner Ronald Darby was injured, but he's more than held his own, recording one interception and two pass defenses.

4. Greg Newsome, Browns Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Newsome missed Week 4 with a calf injury, but that shouldn't detract from his marvelous start. The Browns' first-round corner is allowing just 4.7 yards per target and has yet to get burned for a touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference.

3. Azeez Ojulari, Giants

The rookie leader in sacks didn't come from the top 10 or even the first round. But draft billings aren't everything, and Ojulari - who wasn't picked until the 50th overall selection - is proving that. The pass-rusher looks like a star in the making, notching three sacks, three quarterback hits, and one forced fumble through four games.

2. Asante Samuel Jr., Chargers Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Years after his father crafted his legacy in the NFL, Samuel is now quickly creating a name for himself. The rookie corner has made the jump into the big leagues in grand fashion, intercepting passes off Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott in recent weeks.

1. Micah Parsons, Cowboys

When Parsons is on the field, it's almost impossible to tell he's a rookie. The linebacker is enjoying an almost unbelievable start to his career, putting up 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits. But the plain truth is that Parsons' numbers still don't do his exceptional play justice, considering he's played everywhere from linebacker to defensive end and had last played football in 2019.

Offensive Rookie of the Year5. Najee Harris, Steelers

What if the Steelers had given Harris a solid offensive line? The first-round rusher leads all rookies with 363 scrimmage yards - while also adding two touchdowns - despite having one of the NFL's worst blocking units surrounding him.

4. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Dolphins' offense has yet to break out, but Waddle has shown several times why Miami drafted him sixth overall. The Alabama product leads all first-year wideouts with 25 receptions to go along with 200 yards and one touchdown.

3. Rondale Moore, Cardinals

Moore's explosiveness has been a great fit for the Cards. The second-round pass-catcher has 211 yards (13.2 per catch) and one touchdown on 16 receptions. Additionally, his 114-yard, one-touchdown outing in Week 2 was the difference-maker in his team's victory.

2. Rashawn Slater, Chargers

It took Slater only four games to show Chargers fans he's the right guy to protect Herbert's blind side for the foreseeable future. The left tackle entered Week 4 with zero sacks allowed despite playing all of L.A.'s offensive snaps.

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

It almost feels like Chase was waiting for the bigger stage to show us why he was the first wide receiver taken in 2021. The LSU product, who struggled with drops during the preseason, has dropped just one pass so far in the regular season and currently leads all rookies in receiving yards (297) and touchdown catches (4).

Defensive Player of the Year5. Jalen Ramsey, Rams

It seems contradictory that a player can be great and rarely get mentioned, but that's the exact predicament Ramsey finds himself in. The Rams constantly hand their cornerback the enormous task of locking down standout receivers week after week, and he does it quietly yet superbly. DeAndre Hopkins was Ramsey's responsibility in Week 4, and he did a standout job again, allowing just one reception for 18 yards, per PFF.

4. Myles Garrett, Browns

The Defensive Player of the Year award has evaded Garrett's grasp through his first four campaigns, but there's a good chance that streak comes to an end in 2021. Despite being double-teamed frequently, the All-Pro pass-rusher has already had six sacks through four games, putting him on pace to easily surpass his career high of 13.5.

3. Maxx Crosby, Raiders Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Mad Maxx may not have been a household name coming into this year, but he's put himself in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year with more than a few super performances this season. No matter how big or how strong the opposition may be, Crosby has laid waste to those standing in his path. The defensive end's terrorization of the backfield has been a key part of the Raiders' 3-1 start.

2. Trevon Diggs, Cowboys

Cowboys fans have the opportunity to see two stars at AT&T Stadium: One is painted at midfield, and the other is cornerback Trevon Diggs. The second-year corner has dared passers to throw his way. Those who opted to do so paid the ultimate price - Diggs currently leads the league with five interceptions this season.

1. Chandler Jones, Cardinals

Lost in all the attention directed towards Arizona's success on offense is Jones' return to All-Pro form. The 31-year-old embarrassed three-time Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan for a whopping five sacks in Week 1. Jones hasn't notched a sack since then, but his pressure numbers still make him the early favorite for the award. The linebacker has registered at least three quarterback hits three times this campaign.

MVP5. Justin Herbert, Chargers

Herbert's sophomore season has been just like we all anticipated, with the star signal-caller completing almost 69% of his throws and tossing nine touchdowns against just three picks. But perhaps the most impressive part of Herbert's game is his performances in clutch moments: The 23-year-old already has two game-winning drives under his belt in 2021, and he entered Week 4 with a 110.3 passer rating in the fourth quarter.

4. Lamar Jackson, Ravens Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport / Getty

This hasn't been a good campaign if you are a Lamar Jackson hater. The field general is running the ball as effectively as always and continues to improve as a passer, with his 14.4 yards per throw leading all quarterbacks thus far. Jackson's also posted a 3-1 record with convincing wins over the Chiefs and Broncos.

3. Tom Brady, Buccaneers

Brady's production dropped a bit over the last two contests, but after four weeks, the legendary quarterback has completed 64.7% of his passes while leading the NFC in completions (119) and passing yards (1,356). Not to mention he's ranked second in the conference with 10 touchdowns. Oh, and he's already managed two game-winning drives in the fourth quarter.

2. Derek Carr, Raiders

Remember when Carr was in the MVP discussion after tossing 28 touchdowns to only six interceptions in 2016? Well, the veteran quarterback looks even better now, and he's currently on pace to set career highs in yards and touchdowns. It's just impossible to imagine Las Vegas would have three wins only one month into the regular season if it wasn't for Carr.

1. Kyler Murray, Cardinals Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Murray's in charge of the hottest team in football, and although the star passer threw four interceptions in the first three games, he's torched every defense he's faced. Arizona is only the fifth team in NFL history to post at least 30 points and 400 total yards in the first four contests of a campaign. Three of the four quarterbacks under center for those previous teams ended up winning the MVP that year.

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