NFL MVPs: Standouts and surprises for all 32 teams ahead of Week 4

Through three weeks of the NFL season, a clear theme has emerged: Some of the league’s biggest names are delivering as expected, but plenty of surprises are shaping the early storylines. 

Ahead of Week 4, Yardbarker NFL writers identify the MVP for each team so far.

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2) | MVP: RB Javonte Williams | Lost in the aftermath of the Dallas trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers is the team's No. 1 running back. Williams has rushed for 227 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, making him the top rusher in the NFC East. With Williams leading a potent ground game, the offense sometimes can keep pace with teams that exploit Dallas’ porous defense.

NEW YORK GIANTS (0-3) | MVP: OLB Brian Burns | The team's leading pass-rusher is the lone bright spot and offers the most hope for any defensive improvement. Burns has four sacks, tied for second in the league, and seven QB pressures. Burns has kept a subpar defense from being abysmal and must capitalize on every chance to keep the team competitive.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-0) | MVP: QB Jalen Hurts | The reigning Super Bowl MVP hasn’t lit up the stat line, but he saves his best for when it counts most. Hurts has 479 passing yards, with 226 coming in a 33-26, come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. Hurts remains calm as the Eagles navigate yet another new offensive coordinator, but with a 103.2 passer rating in the fourth quarter, he can be counted on to make the winning plays when called upon.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-1) | MVP: LB Bobby Wagner | The 35-year-old linebacker has been more than just a veteran presence in the second level. He's a core piece of Washington’s defense. Wagner leads the team in tackles (32, 14 solo). Plus, he is the focal point of a defense that has yet to give up 30 points this season. — Conor Killmurray

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-1) | MVP: TE Trey McBride | The play of QB Kyler Murray will determine how far the Cardinals go, but McBride has been a bright spot for the first three weeks. His 17 receptions and 182 receiving yards lead the team as he looks to build off a career-high 1,146 receiving yards last season. A stiff test awaits in Week 4 when the Cardinals square off against the Seattle Seahawks (15.7 PPG) on Thursday night.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-1) | MVP: WR Puka Nacua | The receiver has been sensational through three weeks, even though he has no receiving TDs. Nacua's 29 receptions and 333 receiving yards lead the league, and his 35 targets from QB Matthew Stafford are second among pass-catchers. That production will be counted on again in Week 4, when the Rams play the undefeated Indianapolis Colts and their high-octane offense (34.3 PPG), which is tied for second in scoring.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-0) | MVP: RB Christian McCaffrey | Linebacker Fred Warner has been a force on defense with a team-high 30 tackles, but McCaffrey gets the MVP nod with his historic start. According to the team, he is the first 49ers player since at least 1950 with 50 or more rushing and receiving yards in each of the first three weeks of the season and the first NFL player to do so since Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk in 2000. It is hard not to see that success translates to a Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have yet to face someone of McCaffrey’s caliber this season.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-1) | MVP: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seattle’s defense has been a huge catalyst in its start, but the outstanding play from Smith-Njigba cannot go unnoticed. He has team highs in receptions (22) and receiving yards (323), in addition to having the most yards per route run (4.82). Seattle's Week 4 opponent, Arizona, is tied for the fifth-most points allowed (17 PPG), so Smith-Njigba could be challenged on Thursday night. — Colby Colwell

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS (1-2) | MVP: WR Rome Odunze | There hasn’t been a lot to like about the start of head coach Ben Johnson's era in Chicago, but the Odunze second-year breakout is impressive. The talented wide receiver is thriving in Johnson’s offense, as he has already racked up 16 catches for 227 yards and a league-tying four touchdown catches through three games. The Bears should feel comfortable running the passing game through Odunze.

DETROIT LIONS (2-1) | MVP: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown | St. Brown continues to operate as Jared Goff’s most trustworthy target, reeling in 20 of his 25 targets for 237 yards and four touchdown catches through three games. The 25-year-old ranks second among 79 qualified wide receivers in overall Pro Football Focus grade, and he’s a big reason the Lions are tied for second in the NFL in scoring (34.3 PPG).

GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1) | MVP: EDGE Rashan Gary | All eyes are on Micah Parsons when he lines up across from a QB, but Gary has been the star of this defensive line through three games. He leads the NFL with 4.5 sacks and ranks seventh with seven pressures. If Gary keeps terrorizing QBs, he’ll demand more attention from offensive lines and free Parsons for more one-on-one rushes. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-1) | MVP: CB Isaiah Rodgers | Rodgers, who signed a two-year contract with the Vikings in the offseason, already looks like a perfect fit for DC Brian Flores’ defense. The former Eagle has 12 tackles, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed through three weeks, and he had the highest game grade in PFF history (99.9) thanks to his pick-six and fumble return touchdown against the Bengals in Week 3. — Jack Dougherty

NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2) | MVP: RB Bijan Robinson | It took Robinson only two touches to show his explosiveness, turning a short pass into a 50-yard touchdown in Week 1 against the Buccaneers. Robinson is on pace to rush for 1,355 yards this season, and with the passing attack out of sorts, he’ll remain integral to the offense starting in Week 4 at home against the Washington Commanders.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-2) | MVP: Punter Sam Martin | Cornerback Jaycee Horn and rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan are off to strong starts, but Martin is the most valuable player at his position in the NFL, leading the league in percentage of punts downed inside the 20-yard line (71.4 percent). His ability to pin opponents deep could give Carolina an advantage in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, who have struggled to finish drives (six TDs in 11 red-zone opportunities).

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-3) | MVP: LB Pete Werner | He has struggled in coverage this season (who hasn’t for New Orleans?). But Werner is tied for fifth among linebackers in hustle stops (four), defined as tackles that result in negative expected points added for the offense in which a defender covers at least 20 yards from snap to tackle (h/t NFL Pro). 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-0) | MVP: QB Baker Mayfield | Mayfield has already orchestrated three winning drives in the final minute of regulation, making Tampa Bay one of six undefeated teams entering a pivotal early season showdown at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mayfield has avoided critical mistakes, entering Week 4 as one of five QBs to start all three games and throw no interceptions, which could be a significant factor against an Eagles defense that has forced a turnover in 12 consecutive games dating to Week 14 last season. — Eric Smithling

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS (3-0) | MVP: RB James Cook | QB Josh Allen obviously deserves consideration, but with a league-high four rushing touchdowns, Cook is just as responsible for Buffalo’s 420 offensive yards per game, also a league high. No running back has run for more first downs (15), and only the Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor (338) has more rushing yards than Cook (284), who should have no problem in Week 4 against a Saints team that has allowed 30.3 points per game.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-3) | MVP: LB Tyrel Dodson | The seventh-year veteran had 36 tackles in eight games after being claimed off waivers from the Seahawks in 2024, and already has 33 tackles, second most in the league. In Week 4, he’ll look to bring down New York Jets running back Breece Hall, who’s averaging a career-low 4.1 yards per carry and ranks 38th among NFL running backs with two forced missed tackles (h/t: per Pro Football Focus). 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-2) | MVP: QB Drake Maye | The team’s record may not show it, but the QB will enter the Week 4 home game against the Panthers with the fifth-most yards (785) and second-best completion percentage (72.6) of any QB. He has thrown for at least two touchdowns in each of his past two games after failing to do so seven times as a rookie in 2024.

NEW YORK JETS (0-3) | MVP: WR Garrett Wilson | Despite being part of the NFL’s second-worst passing attack (144.7 yards per game), Wilson is the league’s ninth-leading receiver with 21 receptions, 229 yards and two TD catches. In Week 4, he’ll face the 0-3 Miami Dolphins, who gave up three passing touchdowns and allowed nine Bills receivers to catch a pass in Week 3. — Bruce Ewing

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS (1-2) | MVP: LB Nik Bonitto | WR Courtland Sutton — who leads the team in receiving yards (185) — is also deserving of team MVP, but Bonitto is showing why Denver gave him a four-year, $120M extension this offseason. Through three games, the Oklahoma product is tied for the eighth-most sacks (three) in the NFL. In Monday’s home game, the Broncos are counting on him wrecking the Bengals, who are reeling without injured QB Joe Burrow (toe). 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-2) | MVP: QB Patrick Mahomes | Mahomes is carrying a lackluster offense that ranks 15th in the league in passing yards (207.7) and 17th in rushing yards (108 YPG). Through three games, the two-time MVP has the NFL’s fifth-best QBR (73.3) and leads the Chiefs in rushing yards (125). Perhaps he’ll help K.C. pull off another ugly win in Sunday’s pivotal home game against Baltimore.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-2) | MVP: LB Devin White | White, a one-time Pro Bowler, is reviving his career under new head coach Pete Carroll. Through three games, he’s tied for 10th in the league in solo tackles (17). The Raiders need him to keep making his presence felt to stop Bears QB Caleb Williams — who had a season-high 298 passing yards during a Week 3 win over the Cowboys — in Sunday’s home game. 

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-0) | MVP: QB Justin Herbert | Herbert is taking the next step in his second season under head coach Jim Harbaugh, giving the Chargers an early divisional lead. Through three games, he ranks first in the league in passing yards (860), eighth in QBR (69.8) and is tied for fifth in TD passes (six). He should keep rolling in Sunday’s road game against the Giants, who rank 28th in the league in passing yards allowed (252 YPG).  — Clark Dalton 

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-2) | MVP: QB Lamar Jackson | The Ravens might be 1-2 and facing a potential must-win game in Week 4 against Kansas City, but none of that is the result of Jackson’s play. He's playing at an MVP level (again), with personal bests in completion percentage (72 percent) and yards per pass attempt (9.6), and already has nine TD passes. He is also averaging 7.9 yards per rush attempt.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-1) | MVP: WR Ja’Marr Chase | It remains to be seen how the absence of QB Joe Burrow (toe) will impact Chase’s production, but through three games, he already has 21 catches for 241 yards. Both numbers put him among the NFL’s league leaders.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-2) | MVP: Edge Myles Garrett | Garrett is, again, a one-man wrecking crew for the Browns. Through three games, he has four sacks and seven tackles for loss, and is one of the more disruptive defensive players in the league. The offensively challenged Browns might have to win every game ugly like they did in Week 3 (13-10 over Green Bay), but Garrett gives them a chance to do that.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-1) | MVP: Kicker Chris Boswell | The Steelers are winning ugly and without much in the way of impact players so far. Boswell gets the nod here for a perfect start (5-of-5 on FGs, 7-of-7 on extra points) that includes a winning 61-yard field goal against the New York Jets in Week 1. — Adam Gretz

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS (0-3) | MVP: DE Will Anderson Jr. | Anderson was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 and followed that up with an impressive 11-sack campaign last season. The former Alabama star is off to an even better start in his third season, recording a sack in each of the first three games. Houston’s defense has held opponents to just 17 points per game, and Anderson’s play is arguably the biggest reason for that.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-0) | MVP: QB Daniel Jones | Jones looks like he is headed for a career revival in Indianapolis. The 2019 No. 6 overall pick has thrown for 816 yards (third in the NFL). Jones has also accounted for six total touchdowns and has not turned the ball over. He’ll have a much tougher test on the road against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, but Jones has looked more than comfortable in HC Shane Steichen’s offense.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-1) | MVP: RB Travis Etienne Jr. | He has excelled in new HC Liam Coen’s offense, putting rumors he'd be jettisoned to rest. Etienne has 270 yards rushing and two TDs in three games. He is averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry and has looked like the player who ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons rather than the one who was almost phased out of the offense in 2024.

TENNESSEE TITANS (0-3) | MVP: WR Elic Ayomanor | There are few bright spots for the Titans amid their poor start, but Ayomanor is making a significant impact in his rookie season. Tennessee has only three touchdowns as a team, and Ayomanor has two of them. The former Stanford star has just 10 catches for 107 yards on a struggling offense that faces the Houston Texans on the road in Week 4. — Steve DelVecchio