National Football League

NFL Awards Race 2016: MVP and More After Week 4

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Taking a look at all of the NFL Awards races for the major honors after the Week 4 action on Sunday

We’re certainly not deep into the 2016 NFL season after four weeks. Moreover, there aren’t very many things that you can still say with supreme confidence about a lot of teams in the league. However, what we can definitively say is which individual players have stepped up to call. To take it a step further, there’s enough evidence to show which players have put themselves in NFL Awards races through Week 4.

The performances we’ve seen through four weeks come in all shapes and sizes. There have been those that are shocking (for both good and bad reasons), those that have been expected, and others that fall somewhere in between.

But to fully take a snapshot of the NFL after Week 4, it’s best to break down everything and see who has been the best in respective categories and where they can go from here. For all of the major NFL Awards and a few that should exist, here are the winners and runners-up after Week 4.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Carson Wentz, QB – Philadelphia Eagles

Runner-Up: Ezekiel Elliott, RB – Dallas Cowboys

There’s little-to-no doubt right now that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is the Offensive Rookie of the Year. The North Dakota State product has simply been operating on a plane that even his most ardent supporters coming into the year couldn’t have expected. Not only is the production there, but the wins have been rolling in as Wentz led the Eagles to 3-0 before their bye in Week 4.

Through his first three games of his NFL career, the 23- year-old has gotten better with each passing week in terms of completion rate and the eye-test. Overall on the year, he’s completed 64.7 percent of his 102 passing attempts while averaging 256.3 yards per game. Don’t forget about his five touchdown throws and zero turnovers on the year as well.

And as impressive as his numbers are, they pale in comparison to the poise and leadership he’s already displayed. He looks like he’s been running this offense for the better part of a decade, not less than six months. Perhaps the best compliment you can give is that Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott is currently leading the NFL in rushing yards and it’s still Wentz’s award to lose right now in a landslide.

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) looks on prior to a play against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jalen Ramsey, CB – Jacksonville Jaguars

Runner-Up: Su’a Cravens, LB –Washington Redskins

The race for Defensive Rookie of the Year was a virtual runaway through the first three weeks of the season, but now Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey has some company after arguably his worst showing to date in Week 4. Against the Indianapolis Colts in the London game, Ramsey was quite good early on. However, he and the rest of the Jacksonville secondary seemingly let up and allowed Andrew Luck to pick them apart and climb back into the game.

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That said, Ramsey looks every bit as good as advertised for the Jaguars. He’s already a standout enough in coverage that quarterbacks aren’t willing to test him. And if they do, it’s for incredibly short chunks of yardage. For instance, his average yards-per-target against him in Week 3 was a measly 2.5 yards. That speaks volumes about how he’s locking guys up on the outside.

Now Ramsey might want to reel it in a bit as he’s also been quite vocal in the wrong ways through his first four NFL games. Getting into a war with Steve Smith Sr. is less-than-advisable to say the least given the veteran wideout’s track record of, well, winning wars. However, Ramsey has the tools to be the next great corner in this league and he’s already showing many of them.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops to pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Bills beat the Cardinals 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Letdown Player of the Year: Carson Palmer, QB – Arizona Cardinals

Runner-Up: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB – New York Jets

2015 was arguably the best year of Carson Palmer’s career. He was named the “FedEx Air Player of the Year” for his exploits hurling the pigskin for the Arizona Cardinals. Save for his collapse in the postseason, he was truly magnificent and a big reason why the Cards were the Super Bowl pick out of the NFC for many people coming into the year.

Both Palmer and the Cardinals have been tremendous disappointments thus far, though. Arizona is just a paltry 1-3 at this point after a Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and Palmer is now out indefinitely with a concussion. Before even that, though, the veteran signal-caller just simply hasn’t looked like himself. His timing has been off with virtually every single pass-catcher, the throws haven’t been where they need to be, and he’s simply looked below-average. The results speak for themselves as this Cardinal’s offense isn’t nearly as potent as it should be.

A special shoutout goes to the runner-up in Ryan Fitzpatrick, though. After all of the clamoring to just bring him back to the New York Jets during a contract dispute, Fitzpatrick has now thrown nine interceptions in his last two games. Unsurprisingly, the Jets join the Cards in having a lackluster start given the play of their quarterback.

Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Player of the Year: A.J. Green, WR – Cincinnati Bengals

Runner-Up: Derek Carr, QB – Oakland Raiders

Full disclosure, I didn’t consider the player that is the current frontrunner to win MVP for Offensive Player of the Year. Yes, I know that Cam Newton won both awards last season, but that feels like it shouldn’t be the case in my eyes. Moreover, for the purpose of this discussion, it’s better to talk about the ridiculous offensive performance of other players as well. And damn has Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green been ridiculous thus far.

Though Green no longer leads the NFL in receiving thanks to Julio Jones’ monster 300-yard performance in Week 4, he’s been the most consistent offensive threat in the NFL through four games. While Jones’ stats are obviously backloaded given that recent performance, Green has been a monster. Sure, he had a dud in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but much of that had to do with Andy Dalton and less to do with Green. Outside of that, he’s posted two games of over 170 yards receiving, two touchdowns, and is looking unstoppable in doing it.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was certainly close of sneaking into the mix for this award and rightfully so. He’s looking more like a franchise quarterback than ever before. However, Green has simply been that dominant that I give him the slight edge for this award right now.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) sacks and forces a fumble against Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Player of the Year: Von Miller, EDGE – Denver Broncos

Runner-Up: Everson Griffen, DE – Minnesota Vikings

Like anyone other than Von Miller could win this award after four weeks. After winning the Super Bowl MVP last season for his performance, Miller hasn’t missed a step in the slightest. He’s been absolutely wreaking havoc on every defense that he’s been up against and leading the charge for the Denver Broncos defense not missing a beat in their dominance, even after losing key players from last season like Malik Jackson.

Miller’s already accrued 5.5 sacks on the year, good enough for the best clip in the NFL to this point in the season. However, that doesn’t even factor in that he also already has 15 total tackles on the year, a forced fumble, one pass-defended, and is seemingly in the face of the quarterback on every play that he’s on the field for. He’s simply a savant when it comes to rushing the passer in that there’s no one better at that particular skill than him at this level of competition.

That said, Everson Griffen of the Minnesota Vikings is closer than some people might’ve expected. Through only three games (the Vikes play on Monday Night Football in Week 4), Griffen has four sacks to his credit while anchoring another elite NFL defense. He certainly deserves his due for what he’s produced thus far, as well.

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Surprise of the Year: Terrelle Pryor, WR – Cleveland Browns

Runner-Up: Dak Prescott, QB – Dallas Cowboys

Coming into the 2016 season, if I’d have asked you to speculate which wide receiver would be 16th in receiving yards while also being the biggest weapon on his team, there are roughly 10-15 names that would likely come to mind before Cleveland Browns wideout Terrelle Pryor. In fact, many people might’ve said “isn’t he a quarterback” when asked about Pryor. He used to be; but now he’s busy causing all kinds of problems for every defense he faces.

How Pryor has become the player he currently is so quickly is some kind of sorcery. Obviously his size and physical tools lend themselves to making him a quality receiver, but picking up the route tree and nuances of the position is a different story. However, he’s done that and more for the Browns. He’s been their No. 1 option with the likes of Cody Kessler starting two games at quarterback and is still the No. 16 receiver in the NFL in terms of total receiving yards.

While Wentz also would safely be called a surprise, Dak Prescott for the Cowboys may be even bigger a surprise and more deserving of “Runner-Up” here. The fourth-round pick wasn’t supposed to sniff the field, but a Tony Romo injury changed the plan. Now he’s only come in with no NFL experience and led Dallas to a 3-1 record while setting a record for most attempts without a turnover by a rookie. Not bad, young man.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Coach of the Year: Mike Zimmer – Minnesota Vikings

Runner-Up: Doug Pederson – Philadelphia Eagles

Mike Zimmer and Doug Pederson of the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles are in a two-man race for Coach of the Year and everyone else is left waving far behind (except for maybe Bill Belichick—but he’s basically a glitch in the system at this point). Despite what Pederson has done with a roster that Chip Kelly destroyed and a rookie quarterback, though, you have to give the nod to Zimmer for what he’s accomplished.

Just over a week before the start of the regular season, Zimmer and the Vikings lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for the year to a knee injury. That’s fine; he just went out and got Sam Bradford acclimated to the system in record time while also winning a game with Shaun Hill at quarterback. To make his job even harder, Zimmer also lost Adrian Peterson to a knee injury as well. Still, the Vikings come into Monday Night Football in Week 4 undefeated and showing no signs of letting up.

Given his M.O. it shouldn’t be surprising that Zimmer is letting his defense simply lead the way in Minnesota. However, the effectiveness that the coach has been able to do so is remarkable. The odds have been stacking themselves against this team from the start and Zimmer has remained completely unfazed.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

MVP: Matt Ryan, QB – Atlanta Falcons

Runner-Up: Von Miller, EDGE – Denver Broncos

With all due respect to Von Miller and what the Broncos superstar has been able to do up to now, what Matt Ryan is doing with the Atlanta Falcons is nothing short of remarkable. Quite frankly, there were folks looking at the quarterback’s 2015 season and wondering if the Falcons should move on. He simply wasn’t producing at the level or with the consistency that a player in his position with the weapons he had should’ve been. That’s all a distant memory.

Aided of course by his 500-yard monster of a game in Week 4, Ryan is averaging 368.2 passing yards per contest through four games with 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions. And before you start to dismiss that because of the outlier 500-yarder, just remember that he did that against one of the more vaunted defensive units in the league with the Carolina Panthers. He’s been consistently lights-out to this point.

What’s more impressive is that Ryan’s performance has been necessary in most cases. Despite another outlier in a great performance against Carolina, the Falcons defense is suspect on their best day. Thus, Ryan throwing the ball all over opponents is necessity more than anything else. And he’s delivered time and again through the first four weeks of the year. However unlikely it may seem, the Falcons quarterback is the unquestioned NFL MVP through Week 4.

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