Fansided

5 NFL MVP candidates flying under the radar

By Rucker Haringey

Matt Ryan #2, Atlanta Falcons (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Matt Ryan #2, Atlanta Falcons (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Underrated NFL MVP candidates in 2020

2. Baker Mayfield

Voters love a comeback story and Mayfield could easily turn into the biggest bounceback story of 2020. He spent a ton of time running for his life in 2019, but his front office spent a ton of money to correct that issue moving forward.

Adding Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills at the two tackle positions will do a lot to protect Mayfield this season. Spending big money on tight end Austin Hooper in free agency will make life even easier for the former Oklahoma star.

To win an MVP award, Mayfield will need to pilot his team into the playoffs. 10 wins should be an absolute minum. That’s not an easy task inside the same division as the Ravens, but it’s certainly possible that Cleveland can outpace Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to become a strong WIld Card contender inside the AFC North.

Perhaps more importantly, Mayfield needs to rediscover the accuracy that made him such an effective player in 2018. Last year’s completion percentage of 59.4 won’t get it done. Mayfield will need to increase that total into the mid-60s to get into contention for this award.

If that happens, it’s easy to build a compelling narrative for Mayfield to win the MVP Award. His current odds at +2800 represent excellent value.

Home/NFL