Atlanta Falcons

Updated: 2016 NFL MVP Rankings

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

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Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) reacts after the Falcons scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

After an exciting fourth week of the season, the 2016 MVP rankings sees a considerable shake-up. Who’s in? Who’s out? Who’s the leader of the pack for the MVP trophy? Let’s find out.

Whew!!

The first quarter of the 2016 season was exactly what we wanted it to be. A mixture of excitement, confusion, and stress with a little sprinkling of surprises so far. One thing for sure about the 2016 season in terms of the MVP race, it has seen considerable changes week in and week out, which is what you want as a fan. Unless you’re one of those fans who weirdly believes that one guy and one guy only is the MVP favorite every week. Yeah, that’s just weird.

The MVP race so far has formed itself to where it isn’t exactly QB heavy. Not at this point at least. It will be interesting to see how or if the MVP race can include intriguing names that doesn’t involve the quarterback position. So let’s turn the page to the second quarter of the season and with that, here are the updated 2016 MVP rankings so far.

Oct 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) receives an unsportsman like conduct penalty for dancing after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

T5. WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

Last week: 2-1

Last rank: 5th

For the second straight week, Brown sits at fifth on the MVP rankings after have a relatively solid outing against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. He didn’t have a large number of reception yards against the Chiefs as he only totaled 64 yards but he did add to his total of touchdown receptions with two first quarter scores that gives him four touchdown catches on the season. That total of four has him tied for first in the NFL.

Brown is also third in receptions (28), sixth in yards (369), and fourth in the league in receptions resulting in first downs (19). What can cramp Brown’s MVP status is the return of Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. Bell is such a workhorse in the lineup for Pittsburgh and accumulated 23 total touches in his first game back from suspension this past Sunday night.

With the offensive philosophy of Pittsburgh, ball distribution has an emphasis of being spreader around and with Brown, who tied for the league lead in receptions last season, the likelihood of Brown getting the considerable number of targets will always weigh in his favor.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

T5. WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

Last week: 2-1

Last rank: UR

The week four performance by Jones against the Carolina Panthers catapulted the dynamic receiver into the MVP conversation.

Jones has always been in the upper-echelon when discussing the best receivers and the best playmakers in the NFL and his 12 reception, 300 yard outing against one of the best defenses in the league was legendary. Plain and simple.

As a result, Jones leads the league in receiving yards (488), yards per catch (22.2), yards per game (122.0) and 72% percent of his receptions have resulted in a first down. Outside of his one catch outing against the Saints in week three, Jones has averaged at least 16 yards a catch. Jones tied with Brown last season in receptions and led the league receiving yards. He has to contend with another teammate if he is to stay in the MVP race but his incredible game against Carolina along with his established talent says he deserves to at least be in the preliminary stage of MVP talks.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after completing a two point conversion to take the lead during the fourth quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

3. QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Last week: 2-1

Last rank: UR

Low and behold, the Raiders are 3-1 and in second place in the AFC West. Largely in part to their quarterback who has an impressive nine to one touchdown to interception ratio.

All three of the Raiders wins this seasons have come on the road and thanks to Carr’s two touchdown tosses in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in week four, the Raiders found themselves victorious in one of the most hostile territories in the NFL.

Carr also orchestrated a game-winning drive against the New Orleans Saints in week one in which he completed 4-of-5 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown plus a two-point conversion sealed the deal for the Raiders. It’s been visibly clear that Carr is the engine of the Raiders so far this season and as long as the Raiders win, Carr will continue to see his name in MVP talks. He has clearly outplayed other notable QBs such as Russell Wilson, Carson Palmer, and Cam Newton.

Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Broncos won 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

2. DE/OLB Von Miller, Denver Broncos

Last week: 3-0

Last rank: 1st

Miller had sort of a quiet outing on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with just three tackles and a half-sack. Even with his minimal effect on the game, Miller can legitimately make a case of being the best defender not only on the Broncos team but in the entire league as well so far this season.

Of course, I must make it known that Miller faces significant odds of winning the MVP award as a defender. However, he is at an ideal position to do so with his incredible pass rushing ability. It may take a season where Miller pours in 15 or more sacks in order to win the award but who will be the one to bet against this elite pass rusher from reaching that mark?

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. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

1. QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Last week: 2-1

Last rank: 4th

Four weeks into the 2016 season and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has placed a stranglehold on the MVP race so far. Three of his four games have resulted in passing for 330 yards or more including throwing for 396 yards against Oakland in week two and this past week in which Ryan picked apart the Carolina defense for 503 yards and four touchdowns.

Ryan is first in the league in passing yards (1,473), tied for first in passing touchdowns (11), and first in passing yards per game (368.2), and because of his stellar play, the Falcons are first in overall offense, scoring offense, passing offense, and first in plays resulting in 20 yards or more.

Two things will be worth monitoring involving Ryan and this MVP race: First, his favorite target Julio Jones is a true game changer and capable of having a hand in the MVP race. Secondly, Ryan is playing lights out so far and his four games this season has eclipsed his entire 2015 season. Can he keep this pace? Can the Falcons keep this train going? If they do, Ryan will be a big reason why.