When David Rohde of The New York Times was being held by the Taliban a year ago for what would end up being a seven-month ordeal, editors at the paper were worried that he might win a Pulitzer prize.

Since his abduction in late 2008 had not yet been reported -- and many news outlets had agreed to keep it quiet -- his possible win in April of 2009 could have blown the lid off the secret. If he won, his kidnapping would have gotten greater attention.

A year later, after being released and writing an in-depth five-part series on the ordeal, Rohde might well get that Pulitzer when the Prizes are announced in April. The 14 juries that choose finalists for the awards gathered last week. Rohde is just one of the front-runners for a prize.

As I have done in the past, I am seeking to put forth a preview of some of those most likely to win the biggest prize in journalism. No, I have not come across any leaks of finalists, as in the past, but will take them if found. These are merely previews of likely top contenders.

Based on a review of past prizes and some of the biggest preliminary awards given so far, here is my scratch sheet for who may pick up those prizes in April.

Rohde comes first to mind. Not only because of the caliber of his work and his special circumstances for having gone through such an ordeal. But also the national attention it has received.

So far, Rohde's series has brought him a George Polk Award for foreign reporting and an American Society of News Editors distinguished writing award.

Another New York Times possibility is Alan Schwartz, who continued the paper's recent coverage of the long-term impact of pro football injuries with reporting that took a Polk Award as well.

Another early favorite in national or investigative reporting has to be Raquel Rutledge of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, whose “Cashing in on Kids” report about poor oversight of a state child care program has received the Bingham Prize for Investigative Journalism and a finalist nod for the Harvard University's Goldsmith Prize. She also took a Polk Award for state reporting.

Other contenders out of the Goldsmith Prize finalists include: The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C., for “Executive Privilege, the Perks of Power”; The Boston Globe, for “Gaming the System: Public Pensions the Massachusetts Way”; and The Washington Post, “Death on the Rails.”

Look for Web sites to again play a part in the awards with the Pulitzer Board expanding its Web options even further by allowing virtually any Web site to enter, a change from past rules that required them to be primarily original reporting sites.

ProPublica and Politico have become big names in the past year, including Politico's Editor Jim VandeHei joining the board as the first member from a predominantly Web news outlet.

ProPublica may grab something for its investigation on insurance coverage for private contractors in war zones by former Los Angeles Times scribe T. Christian Miller. It has already earned the Selden Ring Award for Investigative Journalism.

Another ProPublica project is its joint effort with the Los Angeles Times on exposing flaws in oversight of California nurses, while its collaboration with The Times-Picayune in New Orleans for “Law and Disorder” has already been named a Goldsmith finalist.

USA Today's top contender is likely its report on toxic pollution near schools that won a Philip Meyer Journalism Award first place prize. Then there is Stars and Stripes, which won a Polk Award for its series on the Pentagon using a public relations company to profile would-be embedded reporters.

In the other categories of editorial writing, commentary, photos and editorial cartooning, it is hard to know which of the many annual nominees will get judges' eyes this year.

In commentary, do not be surprised if Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, a finalist the last two years, is a winner, or Kathleen Parker of The Washington Post Writers Group, who is a consistent standout of direct but thoughtful conservative views.

Then there is the National Enquirer, which has raised eyebrows for its John Edwards coverage that was accepted as a submission by Pulitzer administrators. But don't expect it to grab a prize as the Pulitzer Board likely does not want the heat it would get, even if the reporting is worthy.