Caesars Superdome in New Orleans will host Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9, with the march to that ultimate stage beginning Thursday when the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens square off at Arrowhead Stadium (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). The journey to a championship will unfold alongside individual efforts — the hunt for league MVP and other top awards at the annual NFL Honors extravaganza.

We asked league executives and scouts to sort out who will be holding the hardware when the 2024 season ends. From MVP to Rookies of the Year and top coach, few of the major awards offer a clear consensus at this early stage. The possibilities are endless and enticing.

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MVP | OPOY | DPOY | OROY | DROY
Comebacks | Breakouts | Top coach

Many voters have sort of given up on the idea of a “sleeper” pick in this category. That thinking resulted in Josh Allen and Joe Burrow as respective 2022 and 2023 predictions, which were sound choices, to be sure.

But deviating from the obvious is getting tougher to defend. More than 60% of league evaluators who were consulted for this exercise picked Mahomes, who evolves and adapts every year.

In 2022, he overcame the loss of Tyreek Hill with a passing game that heavily targeted tight ends and running backs. Championship. He overcame downright bad offensive play the following year, digging deep to find his rhythm in the playoffs. Championship.

Mahomes enters this season with an elite interior offensive line intact, a still-motivated Travis Kelce and the deepest receiver room in years, featuring dynamic rookie Xavier Worthy.

“He’ll be even better next year,” an NFC executive said. “I think they have the speed to help Mahomes get his deep ball back. He and Kelce seem very motivated by a three-peat and the pressure that comes with it.”

Active quarterbacks with multiple MVPs include Mahomes (2); last season’s MVP, Lamar Jackson (2) of the Ravens; and the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers (4).

If you’re looking for a good sleeper, this quote on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott from that same NFC exec is intriguing: “I think he’s going to have his ‘f— you’ season, shut everybody up and win an MVP.”

Also receiving votes: Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), Allen (Buffalo Bills), Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins)

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Is Tyreek Hill the best player in the NFL?

The “First Take” crew debates who the best player in the NFL is after Tyreek Hill was voted the league’s best by his contemporaries.

Offensive Player of the Year: Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

Hill slightly edged San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, the 2023 winner, in part because of precedent. The Associated Press last named a repeat winner in 2000, when Marshall Faulk won his second of three consecutive OPOY honors. It’s difficult to post the necessary numbers over 24 months to fend off steep competition.

But Hill has been a near-winner since joining Miami in 2022, averaging 106.3 receiving yards per game in head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense. He’s due. He’s good for nearly 11 targets per game, and he hasn’t lost his speed at age 30.

“[The Dolphins] just manufacture so many touches and available yards for him, and he’s getting better every year,” an NFL personnel director said. “Tua will force-feed him. They will need to win for him to stay in contention but I think they will.”

Also receiving votes: Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons), Breece Hall (New York Jets), Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals)

Defensive Player of the Year: Micah Parsons, DE, Dallas Cowboys

Parsons promised “It’s up” this year for opposing offenses after NFL scouts and executives surveyed by ESPN ranked him No. 3 among edge rushers this offseason. The players ahead of him, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, each has a Defensive Player of the Year award.

Parsons hasn’t peaked despite back-to-back-to-back seasons of at least 13 sacks while fighting through constant double-teams.

“The whole [Cowboys] defense is built around him, and they are going to move him all over the place to isolate matchups,” a veteran NFC scout said. “And he’s in a contract year of sorts, so the motivation will be there to really break out.”

With the Cowboys paying CeeDee Lamb and negotiating with Prescott, Parsons, who’s under contract for two more years, will wait until the offseason for his megadeal. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer plans to utilize him all over the front seven in his 4-3 defense, both as an edge rusher or a linebacker that can blitz from all angles.

Also receiving votes: Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers), Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders), Justin Madubuike (Baltimore Ravens), Quinnen Williams (New York Jets)

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Hawkins’ advice for Caleb Williams: He needs to control the game

Former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins says Caleb Williams’ game sense, not his arm, will lead him to success for the Bears.

Williams and Washington’s Jayden Daniels received the same amount of votes, with Williams winning the tiebreaker to carry this category.

Some voters like Daniels’ overall 2024 outlook, especially as a calm pocket passer who can take off for easy yards. But the situations around them matter.

“Caleb has the better supporting cast right now, which should bring the best out of him,” an NFC exec said. “And with Chicago’s struggles offensively over the years, if he has any sort of success in Year 1, he’ll get the sentimental vote.”

The Bears have surrounded Williams with a bevy of playmakers, with a receiving trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, tight end Cole Kmet and running back D’Andre Swift. The Commanders have questions at No. 2 wideout behind Terry McLaurin.

Both quarterbacks used the preseason to showcase their accuracy and mobility, foreshadowing a smooth transition to the NFL.

Also receiving votes: Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), Drake Maye (New England Patriots)

Evaluators were torn pre-draft on which defensive prospect was the best — explaining why the first 14 overall picks in the 2024 draft were offensive players — and the votes here reflected that.

Murphy received the same number of votes as Indianapolis pass rusher Laiatu Latu, requiring tiebreakers. Latu is considered the best pure pass rusher of the group. But Seattle’s potential plan for Murphy makes him the classic X factor.

“I think about what [coach] Mike Macdonald did with Justin Madubuike in Baltimore, unlocking his potential as a 3-4 end,” a veteran AFC scout said. “Murphy has a similar body type, explosive and low to the ground. I think he can have a major impact in Year 1.”

This quote on Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse, from a senior personnel man, is money: “He’s a man. I’m not saying he’s Aaron Donald but he’s a capable anchor for that defense. He bullies people.”

Also receiving votes: Jared Verse (Los Angeles Rams), Dallas Turner (Minnesota Vikings)

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How the Jets will set Aaron Rodgers up for success this season

Dan Orlovsky shares why he expects Aaron Rodgers to be a top-10 quarterback with the New York Jets’ offense this season.

Comeback Player of the Year: Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets

Several quarterbacks are in play here, and Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins received multiple votes. But the stage is set for Rodgers to produce the kind of age 40 passing season in a new uniform that former teammate, Brett Favre, gave Minnesota in 2009.

The Jets’ offense is well-stocked with talent, the offensive line has improved, and Rodgers threw the ball effortlessly in training camp. His Week 1 showcase vs. San Francisco on “Monday Night Football” is highly anticipated, coming 363 days after he tore his Achilles on his fourth play as a Jet.

“The thing with Rodgers is if he can move with efficiency like he’s been able to in the past,” an AFC scout said. “While Tom Brady threw more traditionally from the pocket, Rodgers has always had more subtle movements and athleticism to his game, throwing on the run. If he can get that back, then watch out. If he can’t, then the Jets will need a steady dose of running the football to help him. I think they need to do that regardless.”

The last six comeback players of the year have been quarterbacks, with Keenan Allen (2017) the last non-passer to win it.

“[Cousins] should win it,” an NFC executive said. “He’s going to make everyone in Atlanta better.”

Also receiving votes: Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons), Jaelan Phillips (Miami Dolphins), Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts)

As if Detroit doesn’t already boast one of the league’s elite rosters, it elevates a high-upside No. 2 receiver in a prominent role.

Williams’ first two seasons were marred by injury recovery and a gambling suspension. His blurry speed through the preseason is making people forget about his shaky career start.

“He’s in a great offense, and Amon-Ra (St. Brown) isn’t a secret anymore, so [Williams] should get one-on-one looks,” an AFC executive said. “He can absolutely fly and is an ideal deep threat for Jared Goff. He looks like himself again, too.”

Also receiving votes: Yaya Diaby (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Travon Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars), Zamir White (Las Vegas Raiders), Will Levis (Tennessee Titans), Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens)

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Riddick: DeMeco Ryans will go down as one of the best coaches in history

Louis Riddick heaps praise on Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, insisting he’ll be remembered for a long time in the NFL.

Coach of the Year: DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans

The voting reflected a loaded field, with Ryans the only coach to receive multiple votes. Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski narrowly edged Ryans for last year’s award.

In less than 21 months, Ryans has morphed Houston from afterthought to trendy Super Bowl prediction.

“He’s got natural leadership qualities that people gravitate toward, and that’s shown really early,” an NFL personnel man said. “And his team is loaded.”

Also receiving votes: Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers), Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts), Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers), Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions), Doug Pederson (Jacksonville Jaguars), Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans), Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders)