New York Giants — Eli Manning, QB
Well, he’s trying, anyway. The Giants have been exceptionally bad all season, especially on offense, so Manning more or less gets the nod by default here. The 36-year-old is actually throwing for more yards per game than he did last year — 267 to 251 — and he does have eight touchdowns through five games. The Giants are winless, but Manning is doing the best he can with little run support and his wide receivers dropping like flies. It just goes to show how bad the Giants have been this season if Manning is getting the nod here.
New York Jets — Jermaine Kearse, WR
The Jets’ offense hasn’t really stood out, but new acquisition Kearse has offered the most so far. His numbers are fairly modest — 22 catches for 220 yards — but his three touchdowns easily lead the team. He’s caught 22 of 29 targets, which makes for a high percentage (76), and his 10 first downs lead the team. Kearse has become quarterback Josh McCown’s favorite target as the Jets look like a surprisingly solid unit through the first part of the year.
Oakland Raiders — Michael Crabtree, WR
The Oakland offense has not yet reached the heights that they did under Derek Carr a year ago, but it’s certainly not because of Crabtree. In terms of yards per catch, the veteran receiver is having his best year as a Raider, with 13.3 yards per catch. He also has four touchdowns — already halfway to matching his 2016 total of eight. Amari Cooper and Jared Cook have been targeted more, but Crabtree has done more than both of them. In fact, Crabtree getting the recognition here is another sign about how the prominent Raiders have failed to live up to expectations.
Philadelphia Eagles — Carson Wentz, QB
Wentz looks to be developing into a legitimate star. He’s taken tangible steps forward in 2017, cutting down on his interceptions and throwing more touchdowns than he did in his rookie season — only three picks to ten touchdowns thus far. His yards per game are up too, and he’s thrown for 1,362 yards in five games so far with the Eagles surprisingly vaulting into first place in the NFC East. If Wentz can keep this up, they might just win the division.
Pittsburgh Steelers — Antonio Brown, WR
The Steelers still have to put up with the occasional diva tantrum, but Brown is the NFL’s leading receiver by both catches and yardage, so they’ll deal with what comes with it. Averaging an impressive 109 yards per game — also a league-leading mark — the only disappointment for Brown is that he only has one touchdown catch so far. He impacts the game in so many other ways, though, that the Steelers will get past it — beside, the touchdown grabs will come. It’s only a matter of time.
San Francisco 49ers — Carlos Hyde, RB
What a difference a few months make. Hyde looked like he might lose his job during the preseason, but now he may be on his way to his first 1,000 yard campaign. The Niners running back has gotten off to a strong start, with 332 yards through five games and two touchdowns. San Francisco’s offense leaves a lot to be desired, particularly in the passing game, so it’s a relief for coach Kyle Shanahan that Hyde has put his head down and gotten off to a very solid start for the team.
Seattle Seahawks — Russell Wilson, QB
Wilson may not get the same national attention that he once did when the Seahawks were playing in — and nearly winning — consecutive Super Bowls, but he’s still doing quite well and impacting games with both his arm and his legs. He has a solid ratio of eight touchdowns to just three interceptions and has thrown for 1,222 yards so far. He is also Seattle’s second-leading rusher, with 154 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jameis Winston, QB
Winston is still a work in progress, but he’s looked pretty good in the early going for Tampa Bay. His completion percentage is up and the third-year quarterback is averaging nearly 300 yards a game, easily a career high. More importantly, he has cut down on interceptions, going from 18 last year to just three in the early going in 2017. Along with his seven touchdowns, the improvements are tangible, and he’s likely to keep getting better.
Tennessee Titans — DeMarco Murray, RB
Tennessee doesn’t run a whole lot — Murray averages just 11.2 carries per game this season — but he’s been effective when given the chance. His 4.9 yards per carry is his best mark since his third professional season, when he was still with the Dallas Cowboys. There’s room for improvement — he only has one rushing touchdown, and his typically solid receiving numbers haven’t materialized yet — but Murray has still been an effective runner for the Titans this season. That’s impressive considering he’s dealt with a hamstring issue.
Washington Redskins — Chris Thompson, RB
Thompson has emerged as both a solid runner and receiver for Washington. He’s averaging seven yards per carry (20 attempts for 142 yards) — easily a career best. He’s also firmly established himself as a dangerous option as a receiver — his 235 yards receiving leads the team, and he’s done it with just 14 catches. He has two rushing touchdowns and two more as a receiver. Kirk Cousins must love having such a gifted dual threat in his backfield to turn to.
