ESPN's NFL MVP Poll: Derek Carr takes top spot

— -- Some years, the NFL most valuable player vote is easy. This is not such a year.

Strong candidates abound, and no one's case is clear-cut. The best player missed four games. The Dallas Cowboys have not one, but two rookies who can make a claim. And good luck trying to sort out the relative value of what Derek Carr is doing in Oakland compared to what Matt Ryan is doing in Atlanta or what Matthew Stafford is doing in Detroit.

Our panel of 12 ESPN experts took a shot. Did we get it right? Odds are, most of you won't think so. But with five very valuable weeks still to play, here is how we see the NFL's MVP race -- guaranteed to change:

1. Derek Carr, QB | Oakland Raiders

Dez Bryant as big-time playmakers at vital positions, and there are few quarterbacks in the league whose surrounding cast puts them in a better position to succeed.