NFL 2016 Regular Season MVP Futures
By Loot, NFL Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
An MVP futures bet on a player or multiple players is a fun and potentially productive bet to make. From a sheer entertainment standpoint, it's hard to top the mileage you get from this type of wager. You will have a vested stake in that player for the entire season, as you follow all of those player's games. So it's a bet that at least packs a punch. Now, let's try to make a winning pick.
While we don't want to rule out any non-quarterbacks, it's hard to not notice that a non-quarterback has to go above and beyond to earn this award. And on top of that, he needs to play for a team that at least is somewhat in the mix, with players from lousy teams not generally considered for this award. For a player to be considered "valuable," the team needs to actually be able to show some accomplishments. At the same time, we need to remember this award only pertains to the regular season.
Since 2000, only three non-quarterbacks have won the award. It was three running backs and they all went crazy the years they won. In 2005, Shaun Alexander ran for 1880 yards and 27 touchdowns to win the award. The following season, Ladainian Tomlinson ran for 28 TDs and won the award, with Adrian Peterson's 2000+-yard season earning him MVP honors in 2012. So it's only natural to look for a QB to win this award. Cam Newton won last season and is tied as the second choice for this season. The top favorite is Aaron Rodgers, who won the award in 2014. We're going to give you our picks, followed by the full list of odds to win the 2016 NFL MVP.
Our Best Favorites
Ben Roethlisberger (+700): If he stays healthy, he has enough of a stocked offense to put together a pretty impressive stat line. And in terms of going to the letter of this award, it's hard to find a player more valuable to the success of his team than Big Ben. If the Steelers have a big season with Roethlisberger throwing for 5000 yards, he's going to get a hard look.
Russell Wilson (+1050): In the second half of last season, we saw Wilson start to compile the numbers that would justify him as an MVP pick. He was always valuable, but with pedestrian passing stats, he never stood out as a viable pick for this award. After going on a prolonged passing rampage last season, the voters could go with Wilson this season if he does it again and the Seahawks have a good season.
Our Best Middle of the Road Picks
Adrian Peterson (+3000): The last RB to win this award is still the top back in the game, winning the rushing title last season. The Vikings are a good team now, with no other stars on offense other than Peterson. If the Vikes go off this season and Peterson wins the rushing title again with a really big season, he could become a high-value choice at 30-1.
Eli Manning (+3250): At better than 32-to-1, Manning will need his entire team to get their act together, which is no guarantee. But he has a lot of weapons around him, mostly aerial, which could resonate into a stat line that is hard for voters to ignore.
Todd Gurley (+4000): The Rams are back in LA with a first pick QB and a coach on the hot-seat. Look for the offense to let it hang out more this season. In his rookie campaign, Gurley showed what his ceiling is and it's very high. At 40-to-1, you get a potential monster before everyone knows he's a monster. Worth a look.
Interesting Long Shots
Andy Dalton (+5000): The AFC is a little more open this season and the Bengals could be in the mix. Perhaps lost in the Bengals' recent postseason failings and the fact that Cincy's goose was cooked when Dalton went down to injury last season was the fact that Dalton looked a lot better before going down. It was like he had subtly turned the corner. To get 50-to-1 on a good QB on a good team isn't so bad.
Brock Osweiler (+10000): OK, bear with us for a moment. After all, he's 100-to-1. There have been some pretty so-so quarterbacks in recent years putting up numbers in this offense. Osweiler has some good weapons, led by top receiver DeAndre Hopkins and could post a pretty compelling stat line. Houston is also a scary x-factor, winning their division last season without anyone really able to describe how they did it.
BET ON WHO WILL WIN THIS SEASON'S MVP USING THESE ODDS TODAY AT 5DIMES
Odds to Win the 2016 MVP
Aaron Rodgers +575
Ben Roethlisberger +700
Cam Newton +700
Russell Wilson +1050
Tom Brady +1200
Andrew Luck +1400
Carson Palmer +1600
Adrian Peterson +3000
Drew Brees +3000
Eli Manning +3250
LeVeon Bell +4000
Todd Gurley +4000
Tony Romo +4000
Andy Dalton +5000
Antonio Brown +6000
Derek Carr +6000
JJ Watt +6000
Matt Ryan +6000
Blake Bortles +7500
Rob Gronkowski +7500
Marcus Mariota +8500
Brock Osweiler +10000
Jay Cutler +10000
Julio Jones +10000
Matt Stafford +10000
Philip Rivers +10000
Teddy Bridgewater +10000
Eddie Lacy +12500
Ezekiel Elliott +12500
Joe Flacco +1250
Kirk Cousins +12500
Tyrod Taylor +12500
David Johnson +15000
Jamaal Charles +15000
Jameis Winston +15000
Khalil Mack +15000
Odell Beckham +15000
Ryan Tannehill +15000
DeAndre Hopkins +17500
Alex Smith +20000
Alshon Jeffery +20000
Amari Cooper +20000
Dez Bryant +20000
Mark Sanchez +20000
Sam Bradford +20000
Von Miller +20000
Doug Martin +22500
AJ Green +25000
Colin Kaepernick +25000
Demarco Murray +25000
Demaryius Thomas +25000
Jonathan Stewart +25000
Jordy Nelson +25000
Luke Kuechly +25000
Thomas Rawls +25000
Ryan Fitzpatrick +27500
Devonta Freeman +30000
Jeremy Maclin +30000
Jimmy Graham +30000
Larry Fitzgerald +30000
LeSean McCoy +30000
Robert Griffin III +32500
TY Hilton +32500
Jared Goff +37500
Allen Robinson +40000
Carson Wentz +40000
Doug Baldwin +40000
Emmanuel Sanders +40000
Julian Edelman +40000
Ndamukong Suh +40000
Richard Sherman +40000
Clay Matthews +50000
Golden Tate +50000
Mark Ingram +50000
Melvin Gordon +50000
TJ Yeldon +50000
Johnny Manziel +500000
