Running Backs With the Best Chance to Win the 2021 NFL MVP

The NFL MVP is essentially a quarterback's award. That much has been true for a while. The last eight NFL MVP awards have gone to QBs. A signal-caller has taken home the hardware in 13 of the past 14 seasons.

But the last three non-quarterbacks to be named NFL MVP were all running backs. If there's any position with a chance to steal the award away from the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers this year, it's probably running back.

And that's backed up by the odds, provided by WynnBET. Here are the five running backs with the best chance to win the NFL MVP in 2021 according to those odds.

NFL MVP Odds

5. Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams (+5000)

Arguably the most interesting name on this list, Cam Akers will be asked to do quite a bit for the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. And he proved he was up to the task down the stretch during his rookie season. Over his last five regular-season appearances, Akers averaged 104.0 yards from scrimmage per game. He took that to a new level in the playoffs, averaging 136.0 yards from scrimmage per outing. With Matthew Stafford at the helm, this offense is poised to take the leap in 2021. But Sean McVay's offenses have always focused on a work-horse running back, and Akers should be heavily featured. That's a recipe to be a dark-horse MVP contender.

4. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (+5000)

Alvin Kamara was pretty much the New Orleans Saints' entire offense last year. And he'll be asked to to the same, if not more, next season. Kamara recorded 1,688 yards from scrimmage and a league-leading 21 touchdowns in 2020. But with Drew Brees now out of the picture, Kamara is going to be the engine that makes this Saints' offense go in 2021.

3. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (+5000)

Saquon Barkley has struggled to stay on the field since his breakout 2018 rookie campaign. But playing for a New York Giants team on the rise, Barkley could find himself in the MVP conversation if he can stay healthy. This guy tallied a league-best 2,028 yards from scrimmage with 15 touchdowns in that stellar rookie campaign. With a better receiving corps, year-three Daniel Jones and a better offensive line, Barkely looks poised for the best season of his career – provided he stays healthy.

2. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (+2000)

Like Barkley, Christian McCaffrey struggled with injuries last year. But the last time we saw him on the field, he was arguably the most dominant weapon in the NFL, period. McCaffrey tallied 2,392 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns on a whopping 403 touches in 2019. He led the league in all three categories. And this might be the best Panthers' offense McCaffrey has played on since 2017. Say what you will about Sam Darnold, but he has much more potential than Teddy Bridgewater did last year. If Darnold can elevate this offense a bit, it's not a stretch to think CMC could post another 2019-esque campaign. Were he to do that for a Carolina team in contention for a playoff spot, an MVP award wouldn't be out of the question.

1. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (+2000)

Derrick Henry has been the most consistently dominant running back in the NFL for back-to-back seasons now. He's won the rushing title both years, averaging a whopping 1,783.5 rushing yards per year with 33 touchdowns in that time. Coming off a 2,027-yard rushing season, Henry could struggle to improve upon what he did last year. But if he does, don't be surprised if he ends up with the MVP award in 2021.