2020 NFL MVP Candidates: Can Lamar Jackson Repeat?
By Ron N.K
After Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson shattered records en route to winning the MVP honors last season, which players are the candidates to win it in the upcoming season?
Format:
Tier one – Most likely to win MVP
Tier two – Could Very well win MVP
Tier three – Unlikely/Long-shot to win MVP
Dark Horse – A Player who could surprise everyone and win the MVP
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs – Tier one
This should come no one as a surprise – the reigning Super Bowl MVP and 2018 regular season MVP is the best player in the league, and as such he should be the favorite to take home the 2020 MVP award.
With weapons such as Tyreek Hill, the fastest player in the league, reliable receiver Sammy Watkins don’t hurt. Second-year receiver Mecole Hardman, an emerging speedster and a key player in the Chiefs Super Bowl run, and running back Clyde-Edwards Helaire, a promising running back from that title-winning team LSU, should make the great Chiefs offense even more dangerous.
Just like he has done so every year of his career so far, Patrick Mahomes should once again improve from this previous season, which already saw him win the Super Bowl. As he won the Super Bowl MVP, no one else can rightfully have this spot besides Mahomes.
2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens – Tier one
After an outstanding 2019 campaign that saw him take home the MVP, Jackson has the potential to be the greatest offensive player in the history of the NFL. If he significantly improves in the passing department from year two to year three, just like Mahomes did last year, he’ll easily win this award and overtake Mahomes as the best player in the league.
With added weapons such as Texas speedster Devin Duvernay and Ohio State standout J.K Dobbins, and a significantly improved defense, led by the addition of Calais Campbell, a 4000-1,000-50 (Passing-Rushing-Overall Touchdowns) and Super Bowl season very much in Jackson and the Raven’s sight.
Although at the number two spot, Jackson and Mahomes are really 1A and 1B – they are the two best players in the NFL.
3. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks – Tier one
One could make a really solid argument that Wilson is the best player in all of football. After being phenomenal in 2019, throwing for 4,100 yards, 31 touchdowns, and five interceptions, he rivaled Jackson for the MVP in the majority of the season.
Commonly said to be a mix of Mahomes and Jackson, with the passing ability of Mahomes and the running ability of Jackson, Wilson can easily take him the MVP award. If he leads Seattle to a title in the stacked NFC West Division and puts up similar numbers to 2019, he could be crowned MVP.
No one should be surprised if Wilson takes home the MVP honors this season. He’s just that good. Although Seattle has most likely lost Jadeveon Clowney, they always have a chance with Wilson as their quarterback.