5 NFL MVP candidates who aren’t quarterbacks

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Another player who benefits immensely from both the talent around him and also the popular profile of the team he plays for is Elliott.

Over his first four seasons in Dallas, Zeke has rushed for 5,400 yards, notching over 1,000 in three of his four seasons. In 2017, he rushed for only 983 yards on the season – but only played in 10 games that year due to suspension. He’s also totaled 40 touchdowns rushing while adding another eight scores and 1,600 yards receiving.

And still, it feels as if he may be a bit underrated in the national spotlight. With the breakout season of Tennessee Titans’ rusher Derrick Henry and the ultra-prolific stat-line of Carolina Panthers’ running back Christian McCaffrey, somewhere Elliott has gotten a little lost in the fold.

A decreased work load should also increase his effectiveness, especially late in games when Dallas is likely to be up big in many contests. Expect Elliott to have a phenomenal 2020 and when he does, he could be the first running back to be named MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012 playing for the Minnesota Vikings.