In recent years the MVP (most valuable player) award has become a quarterback (QB) award.
The last time we saw a non-QB win the award was back in 2012, with Vikings running back (RB) Adrain Peterson. While we most likely will not see a non-QB win the award this year, a Vikings player is in contention for the award.
1. Josh Allen | QB | Bills
Allen should have won MVP last year and did not. He is now proving all of his doubters wrong. He has been the best QB in football this year and it is not close. He is doing all of this while not having a single offensive weapon that is top 10 at their position, respectfully. MVP means most valuable player and Allen is that. No other player this year has mattered as much as Allen has and I expect that to stay true throughout the season.
- Stats: 634 passing yards | seven touchdown (TD) passes | zero interceptions (INT) | passer rating of 129 | two rushing TDs
- DraftKings MVP Odds: +200 (1st)
2. Sam Darnold | QB | Vikings
Darnold has been one of, if not the biggest, surprise of the 2024-25 season. Very few expected this type of play out of him and if they did expect him to play well, I doubt anyone thought it was going to be MVP level. He has been on a tear so far leading the league in passing touchdowns and leading one of the five teams left undefeated through the first three weeks. The question is, can he keep it up? He and the Vikings play the Packers in Green Bay, the Jets in London, and the Lions at home in the next three games. All teams post very good defenses and will prove a challenge for Darnold and the Vikings.
- Stats: 657 passing yards | eight TD passes | two INTs | passer rating of 117.3 | 35 rushing yards
- DraftKings MVP Odds: +3000 (11th)
3. Aidan Hutchinson | DE | Lions
A defensive player in the running for MVP? I know it is a shock but I truly believe Hutchinson is playing at that level. It does not matter who they use to block him, he terrorizes the backfield on pass and run plays. The last time a defensive player won MVP was back in 1986 by Hall of Fame Giants edge rusher Lawrence Taylor. Taylor posted a statline of 20.5 sacks, 105 tackles, and two forced fumbles. Hutchinson is on pace for 91 tackles, 37 sacks, and six forced fumbles. That statline is very unlikely but shows how dominant he has been.
- Stats: 16 tackles | six and half sacks | one forced fumble (FF)
- DraftKings MVP Odds: +40000 (70th)
4. Saquon Barkley | RB | Eagles
Barkley is off to a hot start with his new team. He is currently the NFL rushing yard leader and tied for first in rushing TDs. He had a nice bounce-back week at the Saints after dropping what would have been a game-winning catch vs the Falcons. One could also argue Barkley is single-handedly carrying the Eagles offense right now with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith both being out and Jalen Hurts having six total turnovers. There is not much else to say here other than Barkley will need to keep up his production if he has hopes of winning MVP and/or offensive player of the year (OPOY).
- Stats: 63 carries | 351 rushing yards | four rushing TDs | 10 catches | 53 receiving yards | one receiving TD
- DraftKings MVP Odds: +6000 (18th)
5. Baker Mayfield | QB | Buccaneers
This was a tough one to decide. He is coming off a very shaky game against a very bad team after two very good games. One could make the argument, “Well if Mayfield is here, why is Derek Carr not?” To those people I say, either one could go here depending on the person. Nonetheless, one game does not define a player. Mayfield has been very good this season in terms of accuracy and his ability to escape almost every bad pocket (ironic considering he was sacked seven times vs the Broncos). I expect him to bounce back so for now he stays in the top five for MVP candidates.
- Stats: 637 passing yards | six TD passes | two INTs | passer rating of 110.7 | 55 rushing yards | one rushing TD
- DraftKings MVP Odds: +5000 (13th)
Honorable Mentions:
- Derek Carr | QB | Saints
- Alvin Kamara | RB | Saints
- Aaron Rodgers | QB | Jets
- Nico Collins | WR | Texans
- Xavier McKinney | S | Packers
