ClutchPoints
The NFL Offensive Player of the Year race is setting up to be one of the most competitive award battles throughout the rest of the season, with some of the best skill players in the world all off to great starts in 2025.
Even though Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson don’t figure to be factors in the race due to injuries to both of their quarterbacks, but Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown have taken over the mantle as the most productive receivers so far this season. In addition, a deep stable of running backs is off to a great start through four weeks.
Who ends up at the top of the list? Let’s dive into it.
Honorable mention: Bills RB James Cook, Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Ever since a dismal Week 1 performance for the Lions offense against the Green Bay Packers, Dan Campbell’s squad has been rolling on the offensive end in the last three weeks. The Lions are now 3-1, and the vibes are back to where they were last season for most of the regular season.
Jared Goff is back to playing great football, and the Lions are back to weaponizing Amon-Ra St. Brown and utilizing him all over the field. Even without Ben Johnson pulling the strings, the Lions have been very good at generating mismatches for St. Brown, and that should give him a chance to make a run at this award.
St. Brown is already racking up the counting stats: 27 catches for 307 yards and a league-leading six receiving touchdowns. His targets are down relative to what one would expect, but the Lions have been playing a lot of blowouts and running the ball in plenty of 4th quarters so far. Some more competitive contests as the schedule heats up could see an uptick in volume for the star receiver.
Christian McCaffrey is always a threat both on the ground and through the air, and that versatility has been on display through four games. The injuries to Brock Purdy and a number of San Francisco pass-catchers have only amplified the star running back’s role in the offense.
The 49ers run game hasn’t quite gotten going yet, as McCaffrey has just 225 yards on the ground through four games. He has been a feature in the passing game for the 49ers, catching 31 balls for 305 yards and two touchdowns.
The traditional running back production may not be there for McCaffrey, but he will have a real chance to surpass both 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards this season. If he can lift this 49ers offense and make it into a quality unit even with all the injuries, that could be enough to garner Offensive Player of the Year consideration.
Bijan Robinson is another 1,000-1,000 candidate after his red-hot start...
