Mike Barrett said: "I haven't seen it so I can't verify, but it sounds like his role is a bit too small for a tony nom in that show. I think his chance is with choir boy but ya holy crap it is stacked. I mean I can see ANY of the people listed you mentioned nominated. Paddy might be vulnerable you're right, although I expect mass love for The Ferryman at least in terms of nominations. Should be a really fun category to watch. While I think Cranston deserves it, I don't think he is a 100% lock to win yet but a likely favorite for sure."
My theory: Jeff Daniels is a 2x nominee (soon to be 3x), has worked steadily in theatre his whole life, and people love Mockingbird but it's not winning Best Play. So as a way of honoring Mockingbird, they'll give Daniels the Tony (and will probably be Mockingbird's only win). Daniels is a very good part of a very good play, whereas Bryan Cranston is the best part of Network, but he just won a few years ago for a similarly "big" performance.
I think you're right that the passion for Ferryman helps Paddy.
Pope will probably miss both categories...but he'll win a Theatre World Award!
Best Actress in a Play is crazily stacked, too: Elaine May, Glenda Jackson, Laura Donnelly, Laurie Metcalf, Heidi Schreck, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Janet McTeer, Keri Russell, Cherry Jones, and maybe Kristine Nielsen depending on the size of the role.