Thursday evening in New Orleans, the Saenger Theater will play host to the 14th Annual NFL Honors. Players and celebrities will be regaled with the hosting skills of Snoop Dogg, expensive outfits will be worn, bad jokes will be told and a good time should be had by all.

Of course, better times will be had by some. Because while innumerable players have been nominated for individual accolades, only one can win in each category.

Granted, many of the names attending the event would much rather be readying for Super Bowl LIX, but being named Defensive Player of the Year or the NFL's Most Valuable Player isn't the worst consolation prize.

In the lead-up to the NFL Honors, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have gathered to hand out some imaginary hardware of their own.

Who will be named Coach of the Year? Comeback Player of the Year? And of course, MVP?

There's only one way to find out.

The first envelope, please.

Coach of the Year

Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings (2 Votes)

Well, it didn't take long for our merry band of analysts to start diverging with their votes.

The thing is, there are a number of worthy candidates for Coach of the Year in 2024.

Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs should have won the award more than once (in 2002)—he's one win away from becoming the first head coach in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

Dan Quinn of the Washington Commanders took his team from four wins a season ago to 12 victories and the NFC title game this season. Sure, quarterback Jayden Daniels played a part in that, but there's no denying the 54-year-old's first season in the capital was impressive.

However, Minnesota's Kevin O'Connell is Bleacher Report's pick for Coach of the Year. And for Davenport, there's one thing that sets the 39-year-old apart from his counterparts this season.

"Plenty of NFL head coaches did great work this year," he said. "But O'Connell's the only one who lost his starting quarterback to an ACL tear just before the season, had to turn to a veteran retread in Sam Darnold no one expected anything from this season and crafted a 14-win season and postseason trip.

"Yes, the Vikings got shown the door in the Wild Card Round, but if there was any question regarding O'Connell's status as one of the league's top offensive minds, it was put to rest when he schemed the fifth-most passing yards and touchdown passes in the league from a quarterback who was essentially a punchline entering the season."

Others Receiving Votes: Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders (1 vote); Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs (1 vote)

Offensive Player of the Year

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (4 Votes)

There were plenty of big offensive seasons across the NFL this season.

It happened on a bad Bengals team, but Cincinnati wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase won the Triple Crown by hauling in 127 passes for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns.

But entering the 2024 season, only eight running backs in NFL history had 2,000 rushing yards in a season. This year, Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles made it nine—and that got him the unanimous nod from the B/R panel.

"Saquon Barkley is the pick over Joe Burrow because, in addition to leading multiple key rushing statistics, he was on pace to have the best rushing season in NFL history," Moton said. "If the Eagles allowed Barkley to play in Week 18, he would have needed 101 rushing yards to break Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson's record (2,105 yards). Remember, Barkley averaged 125.3 rushing yards per game and would've been going against the New York Giants' 27th-ranked run defense that allowed at least 102 yards in 11 out of 12 contests before the matchup against the Eagles. You do the math.

"Of course, Barkley doesn't get credit for almost surpassing Dickerson in the record books, but the fact that he was more likely to erase a 40-year record underscores his remarkable season."

"Don't tell the Philadelphia Eagles that running back is a devalued position," Sobleski said. "After signing Barkley to a three-year, $37.8 million dollar free-agent deal, he pieced together the season of a lifetime. He's run for 2,447 yards (and counting) this season. He needs only 30 yards to break the all-time single-season record (including postseason) previously set by Hall of Famer Terrell Davis in 1998.

"Barkley is the only player in NFL history with seven runs of 60 or more yards during a single campaign. He also provided 313 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns, with the Super Bowl left to play. He has been worth every penny and more."

Defensive Player of the Year

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos (2 votes)

In the long and storied history of the Denver Broncos, only one player has been named Defensive Player of the Year: linebacker Randy Gradishar in 1978.

There have been close calls since (Von Miller, Champ Bailey), but no winners.

Cornerback Patrick Surtain II is attempting to snap that long dry spell this year, and Gradishar told Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette that he'll be rooting for the young defensive back at Thursday's NFL Honors.

"He had a really great season," he said. "It was excellent. He made plays, had the tackles. And to think that he's only 24 years old, it's incredible. So, he's got a long, long way to go. But I'm hoping he gets the opportunity on Thursday to be that Defensive Player of the Year."

Surtain's numbers speak for themselves. Regularly tasked with covering the opponent's No. 1 receiver, he was outstanding in coverage, tying a career high with four interceptions for a Broncos team that made the playoffs while surrendering a miniscule passer rating against of 58.9.

This season's finalists for Defensive Player of the Year are a loaded group, but Davenport believes Surtain has earned the right to be the first cornerback to win the award since Stephon Gilmore in 2019.

"Edge-rushers and defensive linemen have dominated this award of late—only two defensive backs and one off-ball linebacker have won since 2010," he said. "But while Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt and Cleveland's Myles Garrett are phenomenal players, their 2024 campaigns were (by their lofty standards) average.

"Cincinnati Bengals edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson led the league in sacks, but he's an OK run defender at best. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun had an amazing year, but he's not the best player in the league at his own position.

"No, this is Surtain's year—and he's only just now starting to enter his prime."

Others receiving votes: Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals (1 vote); Zack Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote)

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders (3 votes)

If Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels isn't named the Offensive Rookie of the Year Thursday night, it will be the biggest upset at the NFL Honors since the league turned its annual awards into a black-tie gala.

It's not that there weren't other rookies who had phenomenal seasons, including another first-year signal-caller in Denver's Bo Nix. But Daniels carried a four-win Commanders team to a berth in the NFC title game. He completed 69 percent of his passes and trailed only Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens in rushing yards among QBs.

For Knox (and two other analysts), it was an easy call to make.

"I think you could make a legitimate case for Brock Bowers, considering he accomplished things we really haven't seen from a rookie tight end before—and did it in Las Vegas' 27th-ranked offense," Knox said. "Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. also deserve recognition for similar reasons. Bo Nix played well for a team that was a surprise wild-card entrant.

"I'm disappointed Bucky Irving wasn't a finalist, considering how much he added to the Buccaneers offense this season and how lackluster Tampa's ground game was a year ago—maybe Liam Coen is just that well-respected as an offensive play-caller.

"While there were several rookies who might have won this award in other years, I don't see how this one doesn't go to Jayden Daniels. I can't recall a better season by a first-year signal-caller.

"While the shifty runs and jaw-dropping throws garnered a lot of the attention, it was his vision, poise, leadership and calm demeanor that really elevated his rookie campaign. More importantly, perhaps, he paired with Dan Quinn to chance the culture in Washington, virtually overnight.

"Daniels gave the Commanders a chance to win every single week, and he should give a lot of listless franchises hope they can turn things around quickly if they can find the right QB.

"Honestly, I'm not sure there was a player more valuable to his team this season than Daniels. Though, for whatever reason, he didn't make the cut as an MVP finalist."

Others Receiving Votes: Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders (1 vote)

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Jared Verse, Edge, Los Angeles Rams (4 votes)

On some level, it's a little surprising Los Angeles Rams edge-rusher Jared Verse appears a runaway choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He didn't even lead his own team in sacks by a rookie—fellow finalist Braden Fiske did.

For Moton, Verse making the Pro Bowl over Fiske swung the day.

"The Eagles and Rams have two rookies among the five finalists for this award," he wrote. "The Rams' rookie duo had a more impressive year because the Eagles' rookies have a stronger veteran supporting cast and more former first-rounders within the defensive unit. Also, Vic Fangio is one of the league's most experienced and well-respected defensive play-callers."

"Jared Verse and Braden Fiske made game-changing plays under first-time defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who led a young unit with fewer first-rounders. Fiske led the Rams in sacks (8.5), but Verse led the team in pressures (33) and quarterback hits (18).

"Moreover, the rookie edge-rusher earned a Pro Bowl nod at his position. Fiske didn't get that distinction among defensive ends. If Fiske had been recognized as one of the best at his position, he would've had a legitimate case for the award, but Verse's Pro Bowl accolade will propel him over his teammate for the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor."

Sobleski agreed that Verse's impact went beyond the box score.

"Verse is a great test to see who is stat-sheet scouting and those who have watched him play," he wrote. "Since Week 1, last year's 19th overall draft pick showed up and showed out as a constant presence on the field.

"Yes, he only finished the campaign with 4.5 sacks (6.5, if you count the postseason), but he proved to be strong against the run, set the edge and consistently applied pressure to opposing quarterbacks. His 77 pressures were the second-most since Pro Football Focus started tracking the data in 2006.

"Aaron Donald left a huge void in the Rams defense upon his retirement, but Verse filled some of it by immediately becoming a Pro Bowler in his very first season."

Comeback Player of the Year

Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (3 votes)

After Joe Flacco won Comeback Player of the Year last year, the NFL clarified the criteria for winning the award.

Actually, per Jared Dubin of CBS Sports, the new criteria came in late last year—just too late to prevent Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin from getting jobbed.

"The spirit of the AP Comeback Player of the Year award is to honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical injury or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season," the criteria reads. "The decision to provide this guidance was made last December but could not be implemented for the 2023 awards because the season was almost completed."

Hamlin is actually a finalist for the award again in 2024, alongside Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins and New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

But with due respect to Hamlin going from a near-fatal collapse on the field to starting for the AFC East champions and Darnold rejuvenating his career in Minnesota, Joe Burrow is the clear choice as winner here for Sobleski.

"Since the rules to being named the Comeback Player of the Year have been tweaked after Joe Flacco inexplicably won the award for basically not sucking instead of overcoming a near-death experience, as Damar Hamlin did, we can all concentrate on those who actually overcame adversity, primarily by missing a significant amount of time due to injury," he wrote.

"Burrow dealt with multiple issues in 2023, though a wrist injury ultimately placed him on season-ending injured reserve. The 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year played nearly double the snaps this year compared to last and posted arguably his best campaign, achieving new career highs with 4,918 passing yards and 49 touchdown passes, both of which lead the NFL during the regular season.

"The Bengals quarterback may have been a favorite to win the MVP if his team fielded a defense that could stop anyone."

Two more analysts agreed, although Darnold got a little love. Hamlin, on the other hand, remains out of the voting.

Quarterbacks. Sheesh.

Others Receiving Votes: Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings (1 vote)

Most Valuable Player

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens (4 votes)

This has been a two-player race most of the season, although to be blunt, the NFL's Most Valuable Player is Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last year. This year. Next year. No player matters more to his team than Mahomes. No one.

In 2024, though, the race is between Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.

Allen closed as the betting favorite to take home the award, but it was Jackson who was named first-team All-Pro—an honor that has gone to every MVP since 1987, with the exception of 2003 when Payton Manning and Steve McNair were co-MVPs.

Kilty Cleary of Buffalo Bills on SI said Allen's MVP case is strong:

"He's the first quarterback in NFL history to throw over 40 touchdowns, commit fewer than 8 turnovers, and take fewer than 20 sacks in a season. That's efficiency, production, and decision-making all rolled into one. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson's turnover numbers are higher, and his ball security has been a talking point all season. Allen, on the other hand, has managed to avoid costly mistakes while maintaining his aggression and playmaking ability."

Allen also did that with a less-impressive supporting cast than Jackson, who is the reigning MVP. His numbers are almost universally better than that MVP campaign, including 41 touchdown passes and leading the league in air yards per attempt, passer rating and rushing yards by a quarterback.

Allen had a great year, but for Knox (and all the other B/R analysts), Jackson is the NFL MVP again.

"I think Saquon Barkley is probably most deserving of this year's MVP award," Knox said. "Not only did he help transform the Eagles offense into a Super Bowl-caliber unit, but he also allowed Philadelphia to navigate some in-season struggles in the passing game.

"Philly has some terrific offensive playmakers, and its defense is elite, but I don't think the Eagles would be in the Super Bowl without Barkley.

"Of course, no running back has won the award since Adrian Peterson in 2012, and I don't think we'll see it again unless we see a year of underwhelming quarterback play, which is highly unlikely in rosters and rules are currently constructed.

"MVP has become a 'best-quarterback' award, and I think Jackson will earn the honor in that category. Burrow's season was incredibly impressive, but I don't anticipate voters backing a QB who didn't make the postseason. Jared Goff had a career year, but I think his candidacy was the product of the feel-good story that unfolded in Detroit."

"I expect this to be a two-player battle between Jackson and Allen. I won't be shocked if the Bills QB ultimately wins, and I'd feel he was deserving if not for Jackson's simply ridiculous season.

"Allen took fewer risks and better care of the ball than he has in the past, and Buffalo was better for it. Jackson was the MVP last year, and he eclipsed his 2023 season in almost every meaningful metric. If there's a knock on Jackson's season, I guess it's that he lost to the Raiders and Browns. He also lost to Allen and the Bills in the divisional round, but this is supposed to be a regular-season award.

"Allen was great in the regular season. Jackson was better."