The NFL MVP race in 2019 was a fun one to watch as fans got to see one of the best single-season stretches ever witnessed from a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. Not far behind him though was Aaron Donald, who finished the season just two and a half sacks away from taking down the sack record held by Michael Strahan.
Neither Mahomes or Donald were considered as favorites for the prestigious award before the 2018 season. In the end, Mahomes took home the hardware which surprised no one as quarterbacks usually receive the MVP nod.
Since 2000, 16 of the 20 MVP winners have been of the quarterback variety. In addition, the other four winners were running backs who had phenomenal campaigns. Therefore, you're basically considered a dark horse for the MVP if you aren't lined up under center.
There's a long list of talented players who could beat the odds and cement their name in the MVP discussion. Here are three dark horse candidates to win the NFL's MVP Award in 2019.
3. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
When people discuss the best running backs in the NFL they rarely mention Christian McCaffrey. Although, McCaffrey has been one of the best dual-threat backs in the league for the past two seasons.
Last season, the Carolina Panthers star running back rushed for 1,098 yards on 219 carries and seven touchdowns. Plus, McCaffrey was able to haul in 107 receptions for 867 yards and another six touchdowns.
Those numbers are impressive considering the fact that he was playing with an injured Cam Newton, Taylor Heinicke, and Kyle Allen as his quarterbacks in the latter part of the season.
Currently, McCaffrey is opening the season with 80/1 odds to win the MVP trophy in 2019 (according to the Pro Football SuperBook in Westgate Las Vegas). With another offseason to improve, McCaffrey could find himself in the MVP discussion by season's end.
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
The next dark horse candidate is another running back that wowed fans last season. Saquon Barkley put on a show in his rookie season in 2018—showing his ability to dominate on the ground and through the air.
In his rookie campaign, Barkley finished the season with 2,028 yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns. The 2,028 yards from scrimmage led the entire NFL and the rookie ball carrier took home the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Although, things are going to be a bit different for the talented running back in 2019. First, Odell Beckham Jr. was shipped to the Cleveland Browns, taking away a weapon from the New York Giants offense.
Then, Eli Manning is still under center even though we could see the Giants' first-round pick in Daniel Jones take the field. Either way, Barkley figures to be the focal point of the offense once again in 2019.
With that in mind, Barkley may exceed the 352 touches he received in 2018. Therefore, we may see even more production coming from the young phenom in his second season.
1. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns
Last season, we saw Mahomes light up the entire NFL with his 50 passing touchdowns to win the MVP trophy in his second season. Could we see Mayfield emulate what Mahomes did in 2019?
The second-year quarterback comes into 2019 with another shiny toy in Beckham Jr. to go along with Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt. Considering this, the expectations are skyrocketing for Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns.
In 2018, Mayfield won over Browns fans by throwing for 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Those numbers are impressive for a rookie signal caller but he came up just short of winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, with Barkley winning it.
As of now, Las Vegas has 10 quarterbacks who are listed at having even or better odds than Mayfield to win the MVP award.
Both Barkley and Mayfield could find themselves squaring off against each other for a season award—as they did for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award last year. Only this time, Mayfield could end up getting the last laugh by hoisting the MVP trophy in 2019.
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