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5 NFL MVP sleepers primed for monster years in the 2021 season

By Caleb Holfoth

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) - Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) - Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL MVP sleepers
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and so on are the obvious favorites for NFL MVP but there are five sleepers that could make a run for the award in 2021.

As the 2021 NFL season is officially underway with preseason play, why not mention the most prestigious individual award that a player can win: NFL MVP. While there are plenty of usual suspects who expect to be in contention there are always a couple of players who surprise and make a run for the award.

Last season, Josh Allen was that guy. A player many had acknowledged the improvement up was nowhere near the MVP conversation. The Bills quarterback was far removed from the favorites picture entering the year, he finished second in the voting.

Allen is now among the favorites but there are a handful of players who are long shots according to the WynnBet odds for NFL MVP but have the potential for an All-Pro season that could put them in MVP contention. Don’t be surprised if these five sleepers pop up and make their case to win the top individual honor in the league.

5. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

One of the best running backs in the NFL Christian McCaffrey‘s run at NFL MVP is less about his on-field performance and more about actually staying on the field. In the three games that he appeared in last season, McCaffrey averaged 125 total yards and two touchdowns per game.

In 2019, McCaffrey became just the third player in NFL history to reach 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. His talent is so undeniable that, even after an injury-riddled season, he is widely regarded as the top pick in fantasy football by many.

McCaffrey has the ultimate impact on the game because he is so talented in all areas. Unlike players such as Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook, McCaffrey is so dangerous as a receiver that teams struggle to find an answer to stop him.

With the extra regular-season games, CMC could blow some records out of the water. The more records McCaffrey can near or break, the better chance he could be rewarded with MVP. If he is healthy, you can pencil him for at least 1,000 yards rushing. McCaffrey could combine that with breaking the record for most receiving yards by a running back (1,098) and possibly challenge LaDainian Tomlinson’s single-season touchdown record as well.

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