By: Ekene Ezeh and Caleb Angus

Staff Writers

Over the years, the NFL has seen its fair share of outstanding MVPs, from Patrick Mahomes throwing 50 touchdowns, to Tom Brady going 16-0, to Peyton Manning breaking the single season touchdown record with 55. This year there are plenty of reasonable candidates for MVP, but which one will end up on top by February? Here are this year’s top MVP Candidates and why they should all be considered.

  1. Lamar Jackson (HM)

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Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

As an honorable mention, and number 5 on our list is Lamar Jackson. During last season Jackson faced heavy criticism in Baltimore for being a poor passer, but he has really stepped it up this year. In the Ravens season opener, he threw 5 touchdowns for 324 yards and had a perfect passer rating of 158.2 after throwing 17/20. Although those stats were against the Dolphins, who happen to be the worst team in the NFL, Jackson continues to impress by making smart and accurate throws, while leading his team to the top of his division. He seems to have cooled off a bit as the season progressed, but he should be able to make some headlines later in the season when playoffs approach.

  1. Deshaun Watson

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Photo Credit: SB Nation

After a solid season going 11-5 and making the playoffs, Deshaun Watson continues to impress. Watson has led the Houston Texans to a 4-3 record this season, and has completed 69.4% of his passes for 1,952 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five picks. With these numbers, Watson has not only put Houston in contention for first place in the AFC South, but in contention for first place in the entire AFC. If Watson continues this hot streak, he will turn the Texans into a serious Super Bowl contender.

  1. Christian McCaffrey

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Photo Credit: Draftkings Nation

Although he isn’t the typical quarterback pick for MVP, there is no doubt that Christian McCaffrey has carried the Panthers this season. After a dreadful 0-2 start with Cam Newton as quarterback, McCaffrey has been the engine to the Panthers offense. McCaffrey is currently third in the league in rushing with 618 yards, and he is on pace for 1,648 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. But McCafferey is not just a runner. As a receiver he is on pace for 93 catches for 903 receiving yards. McCafferey’s play has made life easier for backup quarterback Kyle Allen and has kept the Panthers season alive. With McCaffey’s play this season, he could single handedly push the Panthers into the playoffs.

  1. Patrick Mahomes

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Photo Credit: Chiefs.com

Following a historic season with the Kansas City Chief in which he threw 50 touchdowns and won MVP, third year quarterback Patrick Mahomes entered the 2019-2020 season determined to repeat himself. He has thrown 15 touchdowns for 2,180 yards and only 1 interception over the past 7 weeks, putting him in the list of top candidates for MVP. However, despite his recent success, Mahomes has recently dislocated his knee, and will miss the next 3-5 weeks of the season, lowering his chance to continue improving his stats.

  1. MVP Russell Wilson

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Photo Credit: Washington Post

Russell Wilson is the current MVP this year, in his eighth season, and he is having the best year of his career. He has completed 68.3% of his passes while throwing for 1,945 yards, 15 touchdowns, and one interception. Despite watching his best receiver Doug Baldwin retire, Wilson has not shown any weakness this year. Wilson doesn’t have anyone like Julio Jones or Odell Beckham Jr., and he has never had a true great tight end or great running back since Marshawn Lynch. Despite all this, Wilson has performed at an extremely high level this season and he is finally getting the respect he deserves. If Seattle wants another Super Bowl, Wilson will have to carry them to it.