10 favorites to win NFL MVP Award in 2016-17 season

10 favorites to win the NFL MVP Award in the 2016-17 season

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) walks onto the field before a game against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: J.J. Watt, defensive end, Houston Texans

J.J. Watt is, quite simply, the most dominating defensive player in the NFL, and it’s a title he’s held for years now.

His list of accomplishments is eye-opening — three-time Defensive Player of the Year, four-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro, two-time NFL sacks leader, and he’s the only player in league history with multiple 20-sack seasons. He even caught three goal-line touchdowns on offense in 2014.

Watt turned 27 in March, but is already tied for 70th on the all-time sacks list with 74.5. He’s averaged 17 sacks per season over the last four years, and if he gets 17 this season, he’ll climb to No. 42 on the all-time list.

Watt enters every season as the frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, but for him to garner serious MVP consideration, two things will need to happen — he’ll have to lead the league in sacks and the Texans will have to emerge as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They added young players at key positions in quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller, but Watt and the defense still move the team forward.

A third career 20-sack season and a first-round postseason bye could result in Watt’s first MVP.

Next: No. 4: Russell Wilson

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