The 2024 NFL MVP race will be as close as it has been in recent memory. There are over a handful of worthy candidates for the award, which is frontlined by Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, both of whom are first and second, respectively, in odds to win the award. However, for the season guys like Jayden Daniels and Sam Darnold have had, they deserve just as much consideration for the NFL’s most prestigious award.
Ranking the 5 Best NFL MVP Candidates in 2024
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen has remained the betting favorite for the 2024 MVP for the better part of a month now. He has led the Buffalo Bills to a 13-3 record and have secured the two seed in the AFC playoffs. Allen has accounted for 4,262 total yards, and his 40 total touchdowns make it his fifth straight season with the accomplishment which is the most in NFL history. His season has been stellar and his MVP case has been strong for the whole season.
What’s also impressive about what Allen has done is that he has complied with the numbers without a prolific cast. He does not have a 1,000-yard receiver on his team, and as of week 17, no 1,000-yard running back either. Allen also has key wins and performances on his resume against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, who are the current number-one seeds in the AFC and NFC.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
The reigning NFL MVP winner, Jackson, found a way to have a more impressive campaign in 2024. He has 4,807 total yards and 43 total touchdowns, which includes a 39-4 passing touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio. Jackson’s passing efficiency is historical. He has 13 games with at least a 100 passer rating, and he currently has the second-highest passer rating in NFL history with 121.6, right behind Aaron Rodgers, who had a 122.5 rating in 2011.
Every single stat from rushing, passing, completion percentage, and total yards, has been a career-best for Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens are 11-5 and the third seed behind the Bills, even though they are the leader in the AFC North. Also, the Ravens dominated the Bills when the two teams matched up this season.
If Jackson were to win it, it’d be the third of his career and would put him in a rare company.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
The Washington commanders have secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2020, thanks in large part to star rookie Jayden Daniels. The rookie deserves heavy consideration for MVP considering where the Commanders franchise has been. They had the number two pick in the 2024 draft, now have 11 wins, and are the sixth seed in the NFC. This season, Daniels has 4,394 total yards, which includes a league-leading 864 yards for all quarterbacks, breaking the rookie record. Daniels also has 12 fourth-quarter and overtime touchdowns and four game-winning drives.
Daniels will most likely be the unanimous Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he will also make plenty of MVP ballots.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings and Darnold’s resurgence has been one of the biggest surprises of 2024. The Vikings are 14-2 with a chance to be the top seed in the NFC, and Darnold has been the driving force behind the Vikings season. Darnold is fourth in the league in passing yards with 4,153 and fifth in passing touchdowns with 35.
Like Jackson, Darnold also has 13 games with at least 100 passer rating this season. Only two other quarterbacks have achieved that passer rating feat in NFL history, and he has a chance to take the record with a 14th game in week 18
If the Vikings win the number one seed over the Lions with the season Darnold is having, he will make it very tough for the voters not to vote for him.
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Simply put, Saquon Barkley deserves MVP consideration because he is in arms reach of breaking the single-season rushing yards record of 2,105 yards set in 1984 by Eric Dickerson. He is 101 yards away with a chance in week 18 against the New York Giants. Barkley may not get a chance to pass the record as the Eagles could rest the star running back as they prepare for a playoff run.
The last running back to win MVP was Adrian Peterson in 2012, who rushed for 2,000 yards. The only thing standing in the way of Barkley and winning the MVP are the quarterback candidates having historic seasons.
Main Image: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
