Ascher Marks

For better or worse, I don’t have a vote for any of these awards. But if I did, there are some clear standouts for each one in my opinion.

The leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and bye weeks have started which means the 2026 season is rolling along. We’re somehow roughly a quarter of the way through the season already.

It’s the time of year to start realizing that some predictions have already gone to hell, while we can start puffing out our chest for others. Those Texans and Chargers futures tickets can find a home in the trash can. One win between those two teams feels like it should’ve been an impossibility.

Nevertheless, we’ve made it this far so it’s time to take a look at the frontrunners for awards. From Brock Purdy finding another gear, to the muddy OROY race, these races are going to be intriguing to follow.

MVP: Brock Purdy

Let’s start with the big one. It’s Purdy, and I don’t think it’s that close right now. Trevor Lawrence has found a really nice groove in the Liam Cohen offense. Josh Allen does Josh Allen things, albeit inconsistently, and Kenneth Walker is this year’s non-QB frontrunner.

Purdy has been impeccable. Flatly. I have been critical of him over the years, saying that it’s Kyle Shanahan, Christian McCaffrey and the system more than him. He’s making me eat my words this year. 69% completions, 13 touchdowns to two picks and a 119 passer rating. He is thriving.

What’s most impressive is the fact that, unlike previous years, Purdy is the offense. McCaffrey is averaging 16 touches per game, down from last year when it was over 24. Nobody can make the argument that Purdy is leaning on his bell cow. He’s using all of his receivers, somewhat because he has to because they’re all getting hurt.

It’s an incredible job from a guy that has often had his worth questioned. We saw Jimmy Garoppolo do it, so why should we be impressed by this guy? He’s manufactured a different feeling about this 5-0 Niners team. He’s the clear MVP right now.

OPOY: Jahmyr Gibbs

The preseason favorite is showing why he had that title. He’s fourth in the league in rushing yards, leads the league in total touchdowns and receiving yards among running backs, and has nine of the Lions’ 20 touchdowns on the year.

Like McCaffrey has been for the Niners in the past, Gibbs is the engine that drives that offense. Jared Goff is having a stunning year, but a lot of that credit goes to Gibbs. The threat that he is in all facets of the game completely opens up the rest of the field for Goff.

Kenneth Walker may be the most impactful offseason signing, and Bijan Robinson might be the prettiest to watch, but Gibbs is a cut above right now. He is the most important piece for an offense that has to score 35 just to have a chance to win.

DPOY: Trent McDuffie

Only two corners have won the award in the last 15 years (Stephon Gilmore and Pat Surtain II) and McDuffie is matching them. Surtain had four interceptions on 11 passes defended, while allowing only five yards per target for 309 yards and a 57.8 rating when he won the award in 2024. Gilmore had six picks on 20 passes defended, and allowed 5.9 yards per target for 599 yards and a 44.1 rating.

McDuffie is currently allowing two yards per target and a 22.1 rating, and is on pace for 24 passes defended only giving up 143 yards. The only knock is having just one interception right now. He is playing unbelievable defense in the secondary up to this point, and the Rams pass rush is doing him no favors.

The Rams are currently bottom-third in sacks, pressures and knockdowns and middle of the pack in hurries. McDuffie isn’t just covering routes, he’s staying attached to guys for much longer periods of time than he should be. Things could be much worse in LA if not for him holding down the secondary. Not bad for a guy everybody thought was just a slot corner.

COTY: Liam Cohen

I’ve said once and I’ll say it again: if Cohen was in an even marginally larger market, we would not stop hearing his name. The job he is doing in Jacksonville is nothing short of remarkable. Last year, he won 13 games and gave Trevor Lawrence a pulse. There were questions about whether or not the defense could maintain the level of takeaways. Well, they’re fourth in takeaways and second in turnover differential this year.

Seattle and Jacksonville were the two teams that lost their workhorses in the backfield. The Seahawks can’t figure out a way to generate anything on the ground and Sam Darnold is struggling, but Cohen got Lawrence to take another step despite the dip in running production.

Cohen is quietly establishing himself in that top tier of coaches in the league. He isn’t getting the love he deserves, and he probably won’t ever get it being hidden in Jacksonville. What he is doing this year needs to be recognized by the AP voters.

OROY: Olaivavega Ioane

A lineman has never won the award, but it might be time for that to change. There are no rookies at skill positions that are putting up eye-popping numbers, and Jalon Daniels is the only quarterback to get any action so far. Ioane has stepped into the Baltimore o-line and made himself right at home.

He has started every game, played 100% of the snaps, and has allowed one sack and six pressures. That’s a 1.8% pressure rate allowed, and he’s played almost half of his snaps out of position. Baltimore lost their centers to injury against the Cowboys, and Ioane shifted over from guard and didn’t miss a beat.

I’ll explain it again. Ioane played 17 snaps at center his entire college career. He moves from guard to center in the most crucial part of a close game and makes no mistakes. Then he has to start the following week, and loses Lamar Jackson to injury at halftime, and plays another perfect game. Then they need him to run center again on Sunday Night Football with a backup for the whole game, and he manages the line in an overtime upset win. Give him the award.

DROY: Sonny Styles

On a defense that there isn’t much to like, Styles is something to look forward to. The hero of the combine is showing that he’s more than just a bundle of physical gifts; he can be productive too.

There is no one statistic that is jaw-dropping, but his impact is felt through doing some of everything. His physical gifts allow him to be a versatile defender. He can rush the passer, he’s a willing tackler, and he can drop into coverage. He’ll do whatever he’s asked and he’ll do it well.

He’s got a little of that Kyle Hamilton to him where he can line up just about anywhere and do anything from that spot. It’s not a great defense in Washington by any meaning of the word, but it would be a lot worse without him on the roster.