Let’s face it: Patrick Mahomes getting some degree of an MVP award year after year is getting boring. He’s a fantastic player, but so are the other 703 players that take the field each week.
You might be thinking to yourself, but the quarterback usually gets the MVP award. And you’re right. But in the off chance that the 2024 season is an anomaly, here are some non-QB MVP stars to keep an eye on.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyzir White, ILB
Despite playing six less games in his career, White has the third-highest solo tackles (53) and assisted tackles (37) in his career in 2023 and is continuing to properly develop under a defensive-minded head coach. White is going to continue being an anchor in the Cardinals defense, where the team is going to need the most help in order to succeed. I think this is the year that White breaks out and is a major contributor for the Cardinals’ potential success this season.
Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB
Robinson was only 24 yards from a 1,000-yard season, as a rookie. I think not only did the Falcons do right giving him the chance to thrive in his first season, but this also opens the door for him to quickly improve. Robinson had 214 carries for 976 yards and four touchdowns. Because the NFC South is shaky right now, Robinson will have the ability to capitalize on this and ball out in his sophomore season.
Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry, RB
Coming off of a 280 carries-for-1,167-yard season, Henry had no fumbles for the first time since 2018. He had 12 touchdowns this season, but still has something to prove. He needs a season to prove himself and it could be a potential Lamar Jackson-Derrick Henry powerhouse duo.
Buffalo Bills: Dalton Kincaid, TE
Kincaid comes off of a great rookie season, but with a team who’s Super Bowl window is closing faster and faster each year. He went 73-for-91 for 6773 yards, and I think this season we get to see more of him. Watching him explode on the field, even getting one reception for nine yards against the Chiefs, which, in a rookie season against the soon back-to-back Super Bowl Champions, is pretty damn good.
Carolina Panthers: Adam Thielen, WR
Thielen had a similar season to 2018 and had a 1,000-yard season. Because the Panthers suffered a terrible season last season, bringing in the veteran wide receiver will be a huge help – enough to easily slide him into a Panthers MVP conversation.
Chicago Bears: Montez Sweat, RDE
Though he played only nine games, if you give Sweat a full season, I think he could thrive and keep the Bears from slipping out of playoff contention. Not to mention, I think he would have his work cut out for him in the NFC North, but it’ll make him an easy MVP pick.
Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR
Chase had three 1,000-yard seasons in the first three seasons of his career and shows no sign of slowing down. This past season, he showed up when quarterback Joe Burrow was injured, and Chase didn’t flinch. This upcoming season, if the Bengals make a comeback, it’s because of Chase.
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, RDE
What else can you expect from the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year? Clearly, Garrett isn’t slowing down and didn’t shy away from the shaky Browns quarterback transition. This past season, he had his most forced fumbles in his career for the second time, 14 sacks and 33 solo tackles. He’s an easy MVP pick regardless of this article.
Dallas Cowboys: Micah Parsons, RDE
Parsons broke his own sack record, had low numbers this season and it still didn’t matter as he was in the DPOY conversation again. This could be a hot take, but Parsons will singlehandedly be the reasons the Cowboys have a chance at succeeding. Plus – he actually supports women.
Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, RCB
Surtain II comes off of this season having the most solo tackles in his career so far. He needs more time to develop under head coach Sean Payton in my opinion, but I think this season could spark something special for him, and by virtue, elevate the rest of the team. Not to mention, I think he’ll be able to start thriving with new defensive coaches Jamar Cain (defensive linemen coach) and Jim Leonard (defensive back coach).
Detroit Lions: Kerby Joseph, S
Joseph, aka the guy who picked off former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers twice in one game, should be on everyone’s radar as this Detroit Lions team heats up. He had back-to-back incredible seasons and seems to only be succeeding more with time. He had four interceptions last season and will be a shoe-in for MVP if the Lions make it far next season. Plus – not to brag, but I’ve interviewed him.
Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs, RB
As he played four less games in 2024, Jacobs had 233 carries for 805 yards. I think he’s due for a comeback season on the Packers. Considering the shifts in the Packers locker room, I think Jacobs might be able to be an anchor for the team heading into this season.
Houston Texans: Stefon Diggs, WR
Like with Jacobs, expect a comeback from Diggs. Having practically the lowest stats of his entire time on the Bills, expect Diggs to have to step up big to help C.J. Stroud. I think if he’s able to wrangle the Texans to first in their division, he’s practically the Texans’ MVP.
Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor, RB
Head coaching and quarterback changes I think are to blame for Taylor’s small decline the past two years. I think if the Colts want a fighting chance, they need to lean into Taylor’s skills- even if that means building the team around his skills. After the Colts do this and let Taylor eat, Taylor gets the MVP and the Colts cause chaos in the playoffs. Plus – he’s getting awarded this weekend.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Engram, TE
We’re going to see more continued growth out of this tight end, already practically doubling his stats from last season. He was 37 yards away from a 1,000-yard season, so if that happens and the Jaguars keep their footing in the playoffs, you have Engram to thank for that.
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce, TE
Not playing two games really hurt Kelce’s stats, and that matters when you’re making the case for him over Mahomes for MVP. Regardless, Kelce could have an “off” season and still be in the headlines – and not just next to Taylor Swift’s name. I think the best is yet to come with a fully healthy, 17-week Kelce. Plus – He can do it with a broken heart.
Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby, LDE
This was one of Crosby’s best seasons despite the Raiders inability to succeed. At 14.5 sacks and 55 solo tackles, I think we could see some MVP-type performance next season. His fun isn’t over yet, but I do see an issue for the Raiders next season if he’s carrying the team on his back just for them to not make the playoffs.
Los Angeles Chargers: Khalil Mack, SLB
Mack had major improvements in his second season. He had the most sacks so far in his career and best overall since 2017. The Chargers offense isn’t my favorite, so success will rely heavily on defense and Mack. With 57 solo tackles and 17 sacks (3.3 tackles and one sack per game), if Mack pulls out another fantastic season, he’d be the MVP pick easily.
Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp, WR
Had he played five more games in 2023, we would’ve seen a much better Kupp. This would be the season that he needs to prove himself. In an already hard division, if Kupp can bounce back, he’s going to help take the the team to the playoffs again.
Miami Dolphins: Raheem Mostert, RB
We saw flashes of Mostert’s excellence last season. The last two seasons, the Dolphins have been excellent – and I think a lot of that can be attributed to Mostert. Coming off of his first 1,000-yard season, expect to see even more of him next season. He’s going to take the Dolphins to the playoffs, and easily sneak into the MVP conversation if so.
Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson, WR
I think it’s safe to say that we know Jefferson is the only Vikings MVP candidate right now. Despite missing some time last season, Jefferson put up insane numbers. He’s going to need help in the NFC North, but he’ll easily be in the MVP conversation anyway if the Vikings get back to the playoffs. He’ll be a huge help to rookie quarterback J. J. McCarthy.
New England Patriots: Christian Barmore, RDE
Barmore has had one of his best seasons yet, and I don’t see that ending anytime soon. Being one of the few key players on the Patriots team currently, he’s going to need to step up to a leadership-type role this season. If he’s able to do that, the Patriots will also need to do their part to catapult a defensive guy into the MVP conversation amongst offensive weapons.
New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara, RB
It’s probably sad to say, but I think Kamara is the only person on the Saints that has a clear shot of getting MVP. Like some other key guys, Kamara had an off season, but not enough to wipe him out of being the key player the Saints need to maintain success in the NFC South division.
New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, SLB
Thibodeaux popped off in his second year with the Giants. Coming off of an 11.5 sack, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery season, Thibodeaux appears to improve each season. We need a mixture of him popping off with the Giants dominating the NFC East before we see him be in the MVP conversation, but I think it’s possible.
New York Jets: Sauce Gardner, LCB
I like to think that Sauce Gardner is the second best MVP pick on the Jets (under the assumption that Rodgers is far more likely to get the Comeback Player of the Year award). I think Sauce comes off of a harder season, but with the help of Rodgers’ return in 2024, Gardner probably won’t have to stress so hard on defense, counterintuitively letting him ball out.
Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley, RB
Barkley has something to prove. It’s as simple as “the Giants didn’t want him but didn’t want to match the Eagles offer” so now he has a chip on his shoulder competing on his division rival’s team. Because of this, I think we’re expecting to see a full-blown, balling-out Barkley. And if the Eagles don’t use his impeccable run skills, then the Eagles will be in trouble.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB
Harris is another key player with 3, 1,000-yard seasons, and with all the changes that happened in the Steelers’ offseason, we should expect him to take on a leadership position in 2024. He had his best season yet, and we can expect to see more of that as the Steelers vie for a playoff return.
San Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffrey, RB
This seems like an obvious pick already, right? He practically doubled his stats from last season. The whole 49ers team is about to play like they have something to prove coming off of their Super Bowl loss. I think CMC continues to be a necessary cog in the 49ers machine, and obviously will be in the MVP conversation.
Seattle Seahawks: DK Metcalf, WR
I still have reason to believe Metcalf is an MVP-caliber player. I think it’s going to take a little bit of seeing his improvement and seeing the Seahawks as a whole improve, but I think we shouldn’t stress too hard a about Metcalf’s reliability. When you get success out of the Seahawks, which is harder now that the 49ers are an insanely good team, you can attribute some of this success to a consistent player in Metcalf.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR
Despite the many changes the Buccaneers faced, Evans is a consistently good player who’s stats are trending in the upward direction. Not to mention, the Buccaneers have been in the playoff picture at least twice in the last four years, so if the team can get over the Divisional round, Evans will easily burst into the MVP conversation.
Tennessee Titans: DeAndre Hopkins, WR
In just one season with the Titans, Hopkins improved sensationally under this offensive scheme. I think we see even more from him in the upcoming season, and should easily be considered for an MVP vote if the Titans get back to the playoffs. Not to mention, he’s helping young quarterback Will Levis along the way.
Washington Commanders: Austin Ekeler, RB
Ekeler is another player with something to prove, and I think he’s going to be a standout player this season in the NFC East. To go from zero to hero in the NFC East as the Commanders should require an award of its own, but if that does happen, we can look to Ekeler to snag the MVP award from this team.
Comment below who’s missing from this MVP pick.
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