NFL way too early MVP predictions

With Week 1 of the NFL in the books, it would only be right to start predicting the MVP award that will be handed out after the season finishes.

While it is easy to overreact and underreact to many things after Week 1, picking the eventual MVP shouldn’t be too hard considering the pedigree of certain players.

Patrick Mahomes

Simply put, Mahomes is arguably the most talented and consistent quarterback ever. With two MVP awards to his name already, don’t be surprised to see him grab a third.

During the offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted wide receiver Xavier Worthy and signed wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. This retooling of weapons will only enhance Mahomes’ arsenal for the year.

Last season, Mahomes’ overall statistics, including touchdowns and yards, were down despite the eventual success. Last Thursday, Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice both looked primed for productive seasons with Mahomes commanding the ship.

With Worthy looking versatile, Rice looking reliable, and Travis Kelce still present, look for a bigger influx of regular season numbers from the three-time Super Bowl champion.

Lamar Jackson

The two-time MVP who won the honors last year, will certainly be a favorite to win it again. While winning back-to-back MVPs has only happened five times in NFL history, Jackson will look to make that number six.

In his Week 1 performance, he did have a calamity on the game’s last set of plays, but Jackson still showed signs of why he is the MVP.

Jackson managed to put up almost 400 yards of offense against a stifling Chiefs defense in a hostile Arrowhead Stadium. In the game, Jackson also looked slimmer after losing 15 pounds over the offseason, making him quicker and more agile.

With his regular season track record and improved physique, Jackson will no doubt be in the conversation again.

Josh Allen

Unlike the first two players mentioned, Josh Allen has never won the MVP. Voter fatigue is real, so Allen has a genuine chance to take the award this season.

The Buffalo Bills had a more transitional offseason which saw the departure of star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. However, Allen still put up two passing and two rushing touchdowns in his Week 1 victory against the Arizona Cardinals.

Allen showed a bit of everything in the season’s opener. If the Bills win a competitive AFC East division, and Allen keeps his turnover numbers down, voters will look his way when the time comes.

At the end of the day, this is a quarterback’s award. There hasn’t been a non-quarterback to win since Adrian Peterson in 2012.

Additionally, these three are the best in the position. Their names end up in the conversation every year, regardless of which one wins

As long as these three have the seasons we’ve come to expect of them, one of them will be named the league’s most valuable player when it’s all said and done.

Alex Harkins is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact him please email arh6278@psu.edu.