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Sport

Matt Williamson

Best MVP candidate for all 32 NFL teams in 2019

Most know the top candidates are heading into the 2019 season to win the Most Valuable Player Award and, for the most part, they have not been ignored below. However, there are darker horse candidates from each team discussed here. And hey, if everything breaks just right, maybe one will hit.

David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray should very much be in the mix for the MVP, but if Kliff Kingsbury’s new offense is going to be successful, it absolutely must go through Johnson. This is going to be a spread-out, up-tempo attack with wide running lanes for Johnson. But more importantly, Johnson should prove to be Arizona’s best receiving option. Expect him to catch 100 balls.

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Of course Matt Ryan is the easy answer here, but Jones is one of the best wide receivers that has ever played the game and is in the prime of his career. With 13 of 16 games being played indoors, two highly touted rookies added to the offensive line, the return of Devonta Freeman and a breakout season for Calvin Ridley on the horizon, Atlanta’s passing game might be the best in the league in 2019. This sets up extremely well for Jones.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson is a better passer than you think. Repeat: Jackson is a better passer than you think. Yes, many of his incompletions last year were very ugly, but he put the football where he wanted much more than just about everyone realizes and that was with a well below average group of wide receivers. This coaching staff will have Baltimore’s passing game much better catered to Jackson in 2019 and oh by the way, he is a lethal runner of course and the Ravens face a very favorable slate of run defenses.

Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills

This is a difficult one so we might have to stretch the reality a bit. Of course linebackers don’t win MVP awards, but this very young man is just oozing with talent. He absolutely could take a massive step forward in his second season. Remember, those calling the shots in Buffalo came from the Panthers. They saw Josh Allen as their version of Cam Newton and Edmunds as their Luke Kuechly, both to quarterback each side of the ball for many years to come.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

McCaffrey ran for over 1,000 yards last year in impressive fashion. Great. More importantly, he caught 107 passes and clearly became the focal point of Carolina’s offense. Cam Newton played very well in Norv Turner’s system before playing injured to finish out his season. Turner’s Newton-friendly system is the key here and McCaffrey should see the ball a ton once again in 2019. Oh, the Panthers also greatly upgraded their offensive line as well.

Khalil Mack, edge-rusher, Chicago Bears

Many are rightfully expecting the Bears defense to regress in 2019. They can’t possibly create as many turnovers as they did last year. They lost two key members of their secondary. Outstanding defensive mind Vic Fangio is now the head coach in Denver. But what if Mack is Superman? He is capable of doing exactly that and could be in the MVP discussion if so.

Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

AJ Green is going to miss time to start the season. The Bengals will be without their key first round pick, Jonah Williams, as well. But think about Cincinnati’s offense through a Rams lens and Mixon absolutely will own the Todd Gurley role. And you know what? Mixon is more talented than Gurley.

Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns

When healthy last year, Beckham’s tape was better than any wide receiver’s in the league. If you didn’t study the All-22, you would never have known this because his quarterback in New York simply couldn’t get Beckham the ball. That should improve dramatically with Baker Mayfield now throwing his way.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott is a vastly underrated passer of the football, but it is still Elliott that stirs the drink in Big D. The Cowboys finally figured out that throwing the ball to Elliott last year was a phenomenal idea…a little late, but hey, better late than never. Also, the league’s best center, Travis Fredericks, returns from his ailment. Holdout aside, Elliott will be over 2,000 combined rushing and receiving yards on a playoff contending team.

Von Miller, edge-rusher, Denver Broncos

Think Vic Fangio will like Miller? We saw what Fangio and Khalil Mack did together in Chicago last year without the benefit of an offseason together. Also, expect Fangio to quickly realize that he doesn’t have a quarterback and that running the ball and shortening games for his defense is the best road for Broncos’ victories in 2019. Miller could have his best year to date in a Hall of Fame career.

Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions

Johnson’s stock got a large boost with the release of Theo Riddick. Johnson now is in line to rack of receptions as well as being the Lions’ feature running back. With all respect to CJ Anderson, Johnson really should be the best Detroit running back now in every down and distance situation. And Matt Patricia is going to run the heck out of the ball.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Let’s take the very low hanging fruit here. But instead of just saying the Rodgers can get back to MVP status, let’s take it a step further and say he can get back to the point where he is in the discussion for the best to ever play the quarterback position. Because of injuries and frustration with his scheme, Rodgers threw the ball away in inordinate number of times last year. If he buys into what Matt LaFleur is selling, we could see a better Rodgers than ever before.

J.J. Watt, DL, Houston Texans

Watt is back. Before his injuries, Watt was often mentioned in the MVP race. It used to be the other way around, but Watt is now overshadowed in the league by Aaron Donald’s greatness. That being said, Watt is a game wrecker who could be even better in 2019.

Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

It’s Luck. It has to be Luck. Here is something people don’t realize about what Luck last year. After starting the season very conservative with a new coach and rebuilt offensive line, the Colts then started to realize how amazing Luck is. And you know what? He was every bit Patrick Mahomes’ equal after that first stretch of games when Frank Reich played it very close to the vest. What do you think will happen this year with not only more familiarity, but also a much better supporting cast around the stud quarterback?

Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Fournette has been unreliable in a Jaguars uniform and has been in and out of the doghouse. But for this offense to be successful and play complementary football to Jacksonville’s defense, Fournette will have to be dominant. As a runner, we have seen him do that at times. And as a receiver, he has quietly improved immensely. The Jaguars offense was destroyed last year by injuries and poor quarterback play. This could be Fournette’s year to really shine.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

There just isn’t any other choice here. The Chiefs prepared for Tyreek Hill’s suspension by drafting Mecole Hardman. And then Hill never got suspended. The embarrassment of offensive receiving riches in Kansas City right now is off the charts and Andy Reid is the perfect coach to get it all harmonized and terrorizing every defense Mahomes faces.

Joey Bosa, DL, Los Angeles Chargers

This could have went a lot of ways with the Chargers, but it seems that many out there don’t realize just what a dominant player Bosa is when right. With an even better supporting cast around him and Melvin Ingram on the opposite side, Bosa could absolutely lead the NFL in sacks in 2019.

Aaron Donald, DL, Los Angeles Rams

Donald is the best player in football. Does much more than that really need to be said? Even with every blocking scheme he faces totally dedicated to slowing him down, Donald still puts up massive numbers…and impacts the game much more than his immense numbers even indicate.

Xavien Howard, CB, Miami Dolphins

Cornerbacks don’t win MVP awards, but the Dolphins in their present state really don’t have anyone resembling an MVP candidate. So lets go with Howard, Miami’s best player. Howard very often gets the toughest of tasks on game day, but he is proving over and over that he is more than up for the job. He is one of the few building blocks on this roster.

Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Cook, meet Gary Kubiak. Cook is a terrific fit in Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme that time and time again has produced huge rushing numbers. Cook is supremely talented, but we haven’t been able to see it enough because of injuries. The Vikings need Cook to finally stay healthy and take some weight off Kirk Cousins’ shoulders. Cook might just lead the NFL in rushing in 2019.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Of course this is the pick. Maybe if Rob Gronkowski were still in the fold and in his prime years, he could be the choice. But this is a roster that isn’t loaded with star power. This is Brady’s roster.

Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

Michael Thomas just got huge money and is obviously one of the NFL’s best wide receivers. But Kamara is the more talented and impactful player. Few backs in recent memory are Kamara’s class in terms of receiving, balance and overall effectiveness. As the great Drew Brees ages, Kamara’s responsibilities and importance to the Saints increases.

Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

The outlook for the Giants in 2019 doesn’t look all that rosy and Barkley could be destined to have somewhat of a Barry Sanders-like career, with amazing runs, stats and highlights, but little chances at the post season. Like Sanders, this is a very special talent and is possibly the best player at his position to enter the NFL in the last decade or more.

Sam Darnold, QB, New York Jets

Quarterbacks have been avoided to a degree for this exercise, but Darnold is too enticing to ignore. The way he finished his rookie season with very little around him showed us all what Darnold might soon become. New York didn’t do enough to enough to help the offensive line, but Darnold’s weaponry is vastly improved. He will be the Jets best quarterback since Joe Namath.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Oakland Raiders

Antonio Brown would be the easy choice here and Brown is still playing at a remarkably high level. But he is a volatile guy and that situation could get off the rails at the drop of a hat. Jacobs does it all though and Jon Gruden will quickly fall in love with all that this rookie running back can do for Oakland’s offense. While he might not win the MVP, here is betting that Jacobs is the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Let’s not forget how great Wentz can be. It wasn’t very long ago that, as a very young player, Wentz was on a collision course with the MVP award. Injuries have been a huge problem since, but that didn’t stop the Eagles from giving their franchise quarterback a gigantic contract. If they weren’t worried, why would we be? Philadelphia did Wentz one better by pelting him with a frightening amount of offensive talent. Wentz might lead the NFL’s best offense this season. Fletcher Cox also could win Defensive Player of the Year.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Gone are Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, who didn’t even play for Pittsburgh last year. Roethlisberger, one of the most talented passers in the history of the league, should have a chip on his shoulder to show the world that he can command the Steelers without the other “Killer Bs”.

George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Of course it is unlikely that a tight end wins the illustrious MVP award. But this is an emerging player. Actually, Kittle is already a great player…and should only improve. Kyle Shanahan was masterful in scheming Kittle up a year ago and now Jimmy Garoppolo will be feeding him the ball.

Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks

There isn’t much talent left around Wagner on this once-great Seattle defense. That doesn’t mean that Wagner couldn’t put up yet another season in which he gets serious consideration for Defensive Player of the Year. Wagner should end up as a Hall of Famer someday and rivals Luke Kuechly as the top second level defender of this generation.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bruce Arians’ downfield passing game fits Jameis Winston’s mindset, but it fits Evans’ skill set even better. Evans has racked up over 6,000 receiving yards in his five NFL seasons and is still only 25-years-old. Already a matchup nightmare, Evans might only be getting better.

Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

Remember how Henry finished up the 2018 season? In case you forgot, Henry carried the ball 87 times during the final four games of the season. He rushed for 585 yards in that month of time! Do you think Henry’s head coach, Mike Vrabel, is going to keep feeding his guy? Also, don’t be surprised if Henry leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns this year.

Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Redskins

This might be the hardest team in the league to find somewhat to fit these criteria. However, Guice is an immense talent. He dropped in the draft, but not because of his talent. Then he was injured before his rookie season. But go back and check out what kind of ballcarrier Guice was at LSU and you might just be convinced. If Guice fulfills his great potential, it would go a huge way to making Dwayne Haskins’ transition to the NFL a much smoother ride.

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