NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

5 dark-horse NFL MVP candidates for the 2022 season

By Michael Johnson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 26: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 26: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
NFL MVP 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 02: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

NFL MVP candidate no. 2: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Without Jonathan Taylor, the Colts would not have been as close to the playoffs as they were last season. He took the team and carried them on his back as he took the crown as the NFL leading rusher.

In his second season as a pro, Taylor rushed for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns. Now that they have Matt Ryan under center, expect him to duplicate or improve on those numbers.

Taylor will once be the workhorse for the Colts in Marcus Bradley’s offense. He’s gotten better as a runner, and he’ll have a quarterback who’ll look to get him the ball out of the backfield.

NFL MVP candidate no. 1: Jameis Winston, QB, New Orleans Saints

Don’t adjust your screen, though the shock is warranted. After all, Drew Brees lit it up as the New Orleans Saints quarterback and never won an MVP.

Jameis Winston is in a different situation. During Brees’ prime, he had to compete with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers. Yes, Brady and Rodgers are still in the league, and there are other young guys, but Winston has a shot.

Pete Carmichael will continue to employ Sean Payton’s offense. An offense Winston excelled n before his injury. Before his injury, Winston played a major role in the Saint 5-2 record.

Winston threw 14 touchdowns to just three interceptions in the seven-game stretch. He did that without his starting left tackle and his No. 1 wide receiver in Michael Thomas.

Mickey Loomis did a great job adding weapons around Winston. In the 2022 NFL Draft, Loomis added Chris Olave, who was arguably the best wide receiver prospect in the draft.

With a healthy Michael Thomas to pair with the talented route running of Olave, Winston has an excellent duo. Thanks to Alvin Kamara in the backfield, Winston can take shots downfield.

Don’t be surprised if Winston passes for nearly 5,000-yards, he’s done it before. Only this time he’ll be making a case for MVP.

Home/NFL