The 2024-25 NFL regular season is over. Fourteen teams have earned the right to keep playing, while 18 are officially on the clock for the 2025 NFL Draft. But before the playoffs begin, let’s take a look back at the best of the best from the NFL regular season that was.
Seven members of The Draft Network’s staff and scouting department submitted their top five players (in order) to win the NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards. The votes were tallied up and the results determined TDN’s official NFL awards for the 2024-25 season. Let’s dive into all the winners.
Tiebreakers:
1. Most first-place votes
2. Number of ballots appeared on
3. Most second-place votes
NFL MVP
There were four clear top choices for the 2024-25 NFL MVP and that's reflected in our staff voting. In the end, the tight race between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen could not be any closer in our staff voting, requiring the third tiebreaker to determine a winner. Lamar Jackson finished the season with 4,172 passing yards, 41 touchdown passes, 915 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns.
NFL OPOY
With six of seven first-place votes, Saquon Barkley took home our NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. He led the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards and added another 278 in the receiving game with 15 total touchdowns—and he didn't even suit up for Week 18. The runner-up, Ja'Marr Chase, won the triple crown, leading the NFL with 127 catches, 1,708 receiving yards, and 17 receiving touchdowns.
NFL DPOY
This was a fascinating race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. No player appeared on all seven ballots and five different players received a first-place vote. In the end, Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II takes home the award after a lockdown season on the outside of Denver's defense. Trey Hendrickson made a late-season run to pass Myles Garrett for the NFL sack lead, but Garrett just snuck by Hendrickson for the No. 2 spot.
NFL OROY
This one was unanimous. Commanders rookie and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels had a phenomenal season and was the clear choice for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The 2024 NFL Draft class was really strong and all players who received votes (and some who didn't like Dom Puni) were deserving. Bowers had the best rookie tight end season in NFL history, Bo Nix led the Broncos back to the playoffs, Malik Nabers set a Giants record for receptions, and Brian Thomas Jr. was a big-play machine.
NFL DROY
Like the MVP ballots, our NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting went to the third tiebreaker to determine a winner. Rams edge rusher Jared Verse finished his inaugural season with 4.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, 11 TFLs, and a pair of forced fumbles. Quinyon Mitchell asserted himself as a top cornerback for the Eagles, shutting down several No. 1 wide receivers throughout the season. Braden Fiske, Chop Robinson, and Edgerrin Cooper were all hot to finish the season.
NFL Coach of the Year
Despite dropping the season finale on Sunday Night Football, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was nearly a unanimous choice for NFL Coach of the Year. Minnesota won 14 games and saw Sam Darnold become an MVP candidate. Dan Quinn has guided a culture shift in Washington with a rookie quarterback. Dan Campbell navigated a slew of injuries to will his team to the No. 1 team in the NFC. Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton led their AFC West squads to the postseason.
