This is the year

This is the year -


for a non-quarterback to win the NFL MVP. We're overdue and there are at least four awesome candidates who deserve consideration. In no particular order:



1) RB Derrick Henry - a very powerful runner with excellent vision. He is without peer among NFL runningbacks because of the sheer force and physical nature of his running. On almost any run, you can pencil him in for 3 yards gained because he's the ultimate fall-forward runner who will generate positive yardage. And he has an element of speed other big runners past and present mostly lacked. He is the Titans' Ace card and the whole team knows it. If Derrick is active, the team plays with an extra edge on both offense and defense. The last RB to win the MVP award was Adrian Peterson in 2012, and Derrick is a worthy heir.



2) WR Justin Jefferson - Justin's chemistry with Kirk Cousins has reached another level. JJ doesn't need to even be open anymore as long as Cousins puts the ball in vicinity. JJ has the agility, strength and awareness to complete the catch whatever the situation may look like. Incredible sideline catches, acrobatic one-hand catches, great run after catch, can even throw a solid option pass, this dude has it all. A WR has NEVER won the MVP award which is quite sad. One of the biggest snubs in MVP-voting history is Favre winning it over Jerry Rice in 1995, when Jerry had 122 catches, 115.5 yards per game and 15 touchdowns. Perhaps it's time to right that wrong and give the award to Jefferson, whose stats right now are pretty much on track with Jerry's 1995.


3) TE Travis Kelce - Kelce is so far ahead of his peers at his position it is almost becoming laughable. With Tyreek leaving the Chiefs, this may be the most important season of Kelce's career, providing Mahomes an ultra-reliable weapon while the new wide receivers still are becoming accustomed to Andy Reid's sophisticated Chiefs offense. Kelce already has 11 TD's, and his ability to generate YAC is very special for his position. Mahomes to Kelce is the NFL version of Stockton to Malone. Malone won two league MVP's, and Stockton none. So there you go.


4) LB Micah Parsons - By the time I started watching football seriously, Lawrence Taylor had already retired. But I feel no need to watch LT highlights. I can just see what Parsons does to wreck offenses basically every week. He is a left tackle's absolute worst nightmare in 2022. The Saints have their own problems in 2022 and this is a really good year for the Saints not to play the Cowboys! Other pass rusher's have quality moves like Parsons ... but no one else can replicate them with his sheer speed. He is athletic enough to employ at other defensive roles and be respectable, but in crunch time he's rushing the passer. It's fitting he wears number 11 ... because like Eleven in Stranger Things, he seems so much more powerful than all others around him. We'll have to see if Parsons can keep up this crazy pace. But for right now, we should consider him as a possible NFL MVP.