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

The first six weeks of the 2022 NFL season are in the books, and the race for the league's top awards is shaping up.

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

Coach of the Year5. Robert Saleh, Jets Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

We're not sure how many receipts Saleh kept on the people who mocked the Jets, but it must have been a lot. New York just stunned the Packers at Lambeau Field, bolstering Saleh's case for Coach of the Year. He's now helped the Jets win three straight to improve to 4-2 - the same number of wins they had in 2021 - despite starting their backup quarterback in the season's first three weeks.

4. Mike McCarthy, Cowboys

Though the Cowboys are coming off a loss to the Eagles, Dallas is still 4-2, a significantly better record than anyone predicted following Dak Prescott's Week 1 injury. The team entered Week 6 on a four-game win streak that included a victory over the Giants, who haven't lost to anyone else this year. Prescott's return seems imminent, so the expectations will be higher for McCarthy. For now, he deserves credit.

3. Sean McDermott, Bills

Having one of the NFL's most well-rounded rosters helps, but we shouldn't take what McDermott has done for granted. The Bills rank in the top two in scoring on offense and defense, and they just stole a road win against the Chiefs to move to 5-1. It can be hard for NFL powerhouses to meet sky-high expectations given the league's competitiveness. But the McDermott-led Bills, who entered the season as Super Bowl favorites, have performed as football's best team.

2. Nick Sirianni, Eagles

Sirianni's done his job impeccably this season, as the Eagles remain the NFL's only undefeated club. But it's not only about the wins. Philadelphia is a threat on both sides of the ball, especially on offense, where Philly is the only team that ranks in the top five for expected points added (EPA) per play in passing and rushing situations. Being a Super Bowl contender and having a 6-0 record should be enough to rank Sirianni first on this list. However, there's a coach who's been even more impressive.

1. Brian Daboll, Giants Elsa / Getty Images Sport / Getty

We all thought the Giants were a couple of years away from being a competitive team, but Daboll had other plans in his first season at the helm. After going 4-13 in 2021, New York's already won five games in 2022 despite having a roster lacking star power, holes on both sides of the ball, and battling injuries. No other coach has maximized his players' efforts as much as Daboll, who's helped N.Y. defeat a pair of former MVPs and both of last year's No. 1 seeds.

Defensive Rookie of the Year5. Aidan Hutchinson, Lions

Make no mistake, Hutchinson's first NFL games haven't been quite as Lions fans expected, and he hasn't recorded a sack since collecting three of them in Week 2. That said, the No. 2 pick led this draft class in sacks (three) and pressures (nine) before going on a bye in Week 6.

4. Derek Stingley Jr., Texans

Stingley is the biggest name in Houston's promising secondary, which also features standout rookie Jalen Pitre. Stingley has allowed 350 yards in coverage, but the star corner's also made clutch plays, including an end-zone interception two weeks ago. Before the Texans' Week 6 bye, Stingley led all rookies with 200 coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown, according to PFF.

3. Devin Lloyd, Jaguars

The Jaguars drafted Travon Walker first overall in April, but it's their other first-round rookie defender who's turning heads. Lloyd leads all first-year players in tackles (56) and has stood out in pass coverage, amassing two interceptions and six pass breakups. Jacksonville traded up to draft Lloyd at No. 27, and the linebacker's first games have been as good as the team could've asked for.

2. Tariq Woolen, Seahawks Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Woolen certainly isn't one of the reasons the Seahawks' defense has struggled. Few corners - regardless of experience - have been more impressive than the UTSA product, who's allowed a 35.8 passer rating and is tied for the league lead with four interceptions. Woolen is the first rookie in 12 years to record an interception in four straight games. Plus, he's scored a pick-6 and blocked a kick that was returned for a touchdown. Not bad for a fifth-rounder.

1. Ahmad Gardner, Jets

It's safe to say Gardner has earned his "Sauce" nickname. With 23 tackles, one interception, and eight pass breakups - the most among rookies - Gardner is already a cornerstone of New York's defense. The No. 4 pick has allowed only one catch for six yards on 40 snaps in man coverage. He's also made plays that didn't go on his stat sheet, including an end-zone pressure on Teddy Bridgewater that resulted in a penalty and safety.

Offensive Rookie of the Year5. Bailey Zappe, Patriots

Zappe, a fourth-round pick who began the year as New England's third-stringer, is somehow the most impressive rookie quarterback so far this season. Granted, the Western Kentucky product played just three games and will probably go to the bench when Mac Jones returns. However, Zappe ranks seventh in EPA per play since Week 3 and is the only rookie QB in the Super Bowl era to win and post a 100-plus rating in his first two starts. He deserves the edge here over rookies who haven't performed consistently despite playing more games.

4. Drake London, Falcons Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / Getty

London's had a good season, but his OROY case takes a hit due to his latest performances. The No. 8 pick, who caught 214 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games, hasn't topped 50 receiving yards or scored in his last three appearances. That said, the USC product still leads Atlanta in targets (43), receptions (25), receiving yards (306), and touchdown catches.

3. Chris Olave, Saints

No rookie pass-catcher has been as consistent as Olave. Before missing Week 6 with a concussion, he led all first-year wideouts in virtually every meaningful category, including catches (25), yards (389), yards per reception (15.6), and touchdowns (two). The Ohio State product's been a major big-play threat, ranking second in the league in average passing air yards per target (17.5).

2. Breece Hall, Jets

Hall had a somewhat slow start in the NFL but has now shown why the Jets were so high on him. The 21-year-old went off in his last two games, combining for 318 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Hall leads this draft class with 609 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns. The Iowa State product could run away with this award if he keeps his momentum, but we need more than two outstanding outings before listing him at No. 1.

1. Dameon Pierce, Texans Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Houston doesn't get much national attention due to its lack of high-profile players, but that narrative should change soon as Pierce is a star in the making. The fourth-round pick leads all rookies in rushing yards (412), missed tackles forced (33), and touchdown runs (tied with three) despite not playing Week 6 (bye) and the Texans ranking 22nd in run blocking, according to PFF. No rookie in the first six weeks was as consistent as Pierce, who's had three consecutive games with 100-plus scrimmage yards.

Defensive Player of the Year5. Chris Jones, Chiefs

We're not used to seeing a defensive tackle not named Aaron Donald being a DPOY candidate. But Jones has been that good. The Chiefs lineman is PFF's highest-graded defender this year, and he leads all tackles in pass rush win rate despite being double-teamed almost at the same rate as Donald. We're not saying Donald isn't the league's best interior lineman anymore. But no one in that group has played better than Jones, who's generated a position-high 24 pressures in 2022.

4. Myles Garrett, Browns

Garrett is football's top edge rusher this year, according to PFF, and he enjoyed perhaps his best performance of the season in Week 6 after racking up two sacks, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. He's now up to 28 pressures despite missing one game. Garrett also has a 32% pass rush win rate, the second-highest at his position. In 73 games since joining the Browns, the 2017 first overall pick has 63.5 career sacks, the most in franchise history.

3. Maxx Crosby, Raiders David Eulitt / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Crosby's been an absolute monster. He's notched at least a sack in four consecutive games, including two in each of his last two contests. He has six sacks in 2022 - tied for second-most in the league - even though he rested this past week due to the Raiders' bye. Crosby's also been dominant against the run, ranking first in tackles for loss (11) and fifth in run stop win rate among edge rushers.

2. Nick Bosa, 49ers

Let's be honest, injuries are the only thing that's ever stopped Bosa from wreaking havoc on the field since he entered the NFL. He racked up six sacks through this season's first four games but suffered an ailment in Week 5 and has been sidelined since. But he still leads the league with 16 quarterback hits and 23 pressures. Without Bosa, the 49ers' No. 1-ranked defense gave up 28 points to the Falcons - the most they've allowed in 2022. The 24-year-old will be a DPOY contender as long as he stays healthy.

1. Micah Parsons, Cowboys

After finishing second to T.J. Watt for DPOY in 2021, Parsons is on the right track to take the award home this season. It's true that he didn't do much Sunday against the Eagles. However, if we look back, no defender has dominated more than him through the first six weeks. Parsons, the edge rusher with the best pass rush win rate, is also the only defender who ranks in the top five in pressures and tackles for loss in 2022.

MVP5. Micah Parsons, Cowboys Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Week 6 wasn't kind to several MVP candidates, including Parsons, who didn't have a single QB hit versus Philly. But, as mentioned above, Parsons is by far the most valuable player in Dallas' defense, which ranks third in points allowed and was the main reason the Cowboys are 4-1 without Prescott. It's hard to imagine Parsons winning MVP. Lawrence Taylor was the last defender to win it in 1986, and not even Donald came close to it in recent years. But Parsons is undoubtedly one of the sport's most valuable stars.

4. Saquon Barkley, Giants

Would the Giants have any chance of being 5-1 if Barkley didn't play at his best? The star running back, who battled injuries in recent years but revived his career in 2022, has NFL highs with 140 touches and 771 scrimmage yards, as well as four touchdowns. While his touchdown total isn't off the charts, he often shows up when his team needs him most. With two fourth-quarter touchdowns and a last-minute two-point conversion, Barkley has given New York a late go-ahead lead in three games this campaign.

3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Since entering the NFL, Mahomes has done things that virtually no other quarterback can, and this season hasn't been much different. He's guided Kansas City to a 4-2 record while ranking first in touchdown passes (tied with Josh Allen at 17) and second in EPA per play and Total QBR among passers with at least 200 attempts. That said, it's hard to rank Mahomes any higher for now after he threw two interceptions in a loss to the Allen-led Bills.

2. Jalen Hurts, Eagles

Here's what a 17-game season would look like with Hurts' 2022 averages: 66.8% completion rate, 4,289 passing yards, and 17 TD passes to go along with 829 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. That, combined with Philly being the NFL's lone unbeaten team, makes Hurts a top MVP candidate. The Most Valuable Player award is strongly tied to the team's record, so it'd be hard not to give it to Hurts if he keeps performing at a high level and the Eagles finish the campaign with only one or two losses.

1. Josh Allen, Bills Jason Hanna / Getty Images Sport / Getty

There shouldn't be a debate, the MVP is Allen's to lose. He was already a contender for the award before Week 6, but then he went to Arrowhead Stadium and defeated the Chiefs after spectacularly leading the game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. That's something else. Allen leads the NFL in touchdown passes (tied), yards, EPA per play, and big-time throws. He's also accounted for 95% of Buffalo's offensive touchdowns (19 out of 20). Oh, and the 5-1 Bills have the best record in the AFC and the league's second-ranked offense.

(Advanced stats source: Next Gen Stats, Football Reference, ESPN Analytics, RBSDM.com)

Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.