Now that the 2021 NFL draft and free agency period are behind us, we can now start going into some extremely early 2021 predictions.
NFL.com made a compilation list of several dark-horse MVP candidates that may fly under the radar for the league’s prestigious individual award but deserve consideration.
No. 1 on the list is Dak Prescott:
Dak’s going to be 100 percent healthy for training camp — and for the first time in his career, he’ll have 100 percent contractual stability. Everything’s in place for a monster age-28 season.
In an injury-abbreviated 2020 campaign, Prescott provided a taste of what he could accomplish under head coach Mike McCarthy, and it was pretty darn delectable (SEE: 422.5 passing yards per game over the first four weeks). Now the quarterback and coach actually get to spend a full offseason together — as opposed to last year, when the offseason program was significantly curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic — giving the offense spectacular potential in 2021.
I envision Dak putting up video game numbers while “America’s Team” wins the NFC East by several games. That’s a recipe for serious MVP consideration.
No. 2 is Justin Herbert:
“..while I’m aware the Chargers have a new head coach and offensive coordinator — changes that could impact a young quarterback’s development — I’m confident in Herbert’s adaptability. And let’s be honest: This coaching staff is an upgrade. As are multiple additions on the offensive line, including free-agent gem Corey Linsley and first-round pick Rashawn Slater. Herbert provided breathtaking play throughout his rookie season, and everything around him is better heading into Year 2.”
No.3 is Kyler Murray:
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“Murray is ready for prime time. Having spoken to Steve Keim on my SiriusXM Radio show, “Schein on Sports,” multiple times this offseason, I can tell you that the Cardinals’ general manger is bullish on his quarterback taking the next step to greatness. And I get it. It’s Year 3 in the NFL for Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury. This offseason is returning too normalcy. Murray’s chemistry with DeAndre Hopkins will only get better, which is frightening for the rest of the league. Also, I loved Rondale Moore selection in the draft’s second round. The Purdue product’s a savvy speedster who can star in the slot and add to Murray’s explosive plays. Kingsbury’s quarterback-friendly offense is great. And the Cardinals significantly improved the roster in an active free agency period.”
No. 4 is Carson Wentz:
“Now, Wentz was arguably the worst quarterback in the NFL last season, bottoming out with the rest of the Eagles during a disastrous 4-11-1 campaign in the dismal NFC East. But the new year brought a new home for the 28-year-old quarterback. Welcome to Indy, where you get Reich on the headset, Jonathan Taylor in the backfield and a top-10 unit on defense. Oh, and T.Y. Hilton and Michael Pittman out wide, a duo that has to look pretty enticing to Wentz, given some of the receivers he played with during his final years in Philly.
Get ready for a Wentz renaissance, with the Colts taking the AFC South for the first time since 2014.”
No. 5 is Matt Ryan:
“Having just turned 36 on Monday, Matty Ice has a ton of great football left. He certainly wasn’t the problem in last year’s 4-12 debacle. In fact, the fine folks over at Pro Football Focus gave him a top-10 grade among qualified quarterbacks. And now Atlanta has given him a unicorn weapon in the form of rookie tight end Kyle Pitts. I think Ryan and the Falcons will surprise some folks this year with how great this offense ends up being.”
No. 6 is Derek Carr:
“Seemingly every year, I’m high on the Raiders. This is not one of those years. BUT, if Las Vegas is going to surprise people, it will be because the team has a great quarterback, whether certain people want to believe that or not.
I’ll never understand why Carr doesn’t get more love. Last year marked the third straight season in which he eclipsed 4,000 yards passing and 67 percent completions. Jon Gruden was singing the quarterback’s praises in a recent interview for the team’s in-house show, Raiders Report.”
No. 7 is Myles Garrett:
“If the Browns beat out Baltimore for the AFC North crown, Garrett will be the reason why. Fresh off a first-team All-Pro campaign, the 25-year-old’s a bona fide star. He’s the most important — and best — player on an emerging great team that is rightly thinking Super Bowl. And given the surrounding talent GM Andrew Berry has compiled on all three levels of Cleveland’s defense, I won’t be surprised if/when the former No. 1 overall pick posts a BIG sack number.”
No. 8 is Jameis Winston:
“Another outside-the-box candidate, no doubt about that. I considered Alvin Kamara, but it is just so tough for running backs to win this award. And I still have Sean Payton’s comments ringing in my ear from earlier this year, when he told me on SiriusXM Radio that Winston can be a star in his offense. I believe that to be true. Payton is that special. And hey, Winston was a No. 1 overall pick, with the raw arm talent never in question. The QB learned the offense last year. This year, it’s time to take off. I think Jameis can live up to his potential in New Orleans.
I don’t want to hear the name Taysom Hill. I expect Winston to win the job, throw a ton of touchdown passes, substantially cut down on the picks and be an upgrade in the passing attack from the 2020 version of Drew Brees.”
No. 9 is Russell Wilson.
“Too low? Does the seven-time Pro Bowler belong on any dark-horse list in the first place? I mean, the guy’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer. No one would be shocked if he were to finally net that elusive MVP vote. And that’s kind of why I placed him at the tail end of this list — I didn’t want him omitted, even if I wasn’t absolutely sure he belonged. Furthermore, there are two reasons why Wilson could face an uphill battle for this individual honor.”
