Daniel Racz @Danny_Dimes

Introduction

The Most Valuable Player award is given out to the player that the voters feel made the greatest impact on their team’s success. In recent years, longshots have won the award. Over the past few seasons, Aaron Rodgers (+2500), Lamar Jackson (+10000), and Patrick Mahomes (+7500) all were not in the limelight before their success. This season, there are a few decent values on the award, and all can lead their teams to the playoffs. 

Lamar Jackson (+1700)

Don’t call it a comeback! Lamar Jackson’s resurgence, or LJaxBounceBack, is here. The Baltimore Ravens’ offense is primed to explode in 2021. Lamar Jackson is only a year removed from winning the award, but he seems like the forgotten man in many discussions about the leagues’ premier quarterbacks. The Ravens drafted wide receiver Rashod Bateman in the first round to improve the passing game. Bateman is a smooth route runner and dynamic weapon in the open field. 

Lamar won the award in 2019 due to his rushing ability. He is a fine passer, but if he takes his game to another level he will surely be in contention for the award. The Ravens also lost their top two edge rushers via free agency, so their defense could take a step back. If the Ravens need to pass more often, Lamar could pad his stats even more. 

Justin Herbert (+2000)

Before the draft, Justin Herbert was priced at +2500 for the award. However, due to the predictable additions to the offense, Herbert has climbed up to +2000. Herbert lit the league on fire during his first season, securing rookie of the year honors. The Chargers fired their head coach, Anthony Lynn, and hired defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Staley has stressed that the new-look Chargers will emphasize analytics. 

The Chargers drafted tackle Rashawn Slater and signed all-pro center Corey Linsley and versatile ex-Steeler Matt Feiler to revamp their offensive line. The Chargers are still in contention for Julio Jones. Though Justin Herbert is not the top quarterback in the league at the moment, he could take a sophomore jump and catapult himself to stardom.

Daniel Jones (+9000)

The best longshot on the board is without a doubt, Daniel Jones. His expectations are low, but his upside is enormous. The New York Giants could be a trainwreck, but the pieces are there to make a playoff run. My point here is that the Giants have a wide range of outcomes. The MVP award is given out based on one player’s high-end outcome coming to fruition, so betting on Jones with 90-1 odds makes sense.

The Giants are gaining a plethora of weapons. Wide receivers Kenny Golladay and KAdarius Toney will revamp the passing offense. Saquon Barkley could re-assert himself as the top running back in the game. Kyle Rudolph will improve the red zone offense. If the New York Giants manage to live up to the goals of many fans, Jones could take the league by storm and gain the MVP award in the process. 

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