The lead-up to the NFL season is in full swing. Teams have reported to training camp, and fans are eager for the season to start for many reasons. Of course, watching their team compete for a Super Bowl tops the list, but right behind that is betting. Sports gambling has seen a massive boom over the last few years as it continues to be legalized around the country.
One of the most popular NFL topics to bet on is the NFL MVP award. This award goes to the most valuable player in football during the regular season. Many bettors look for people whose odds to win aren’t great, but they can maximize their money if they do win. These players are called dark horses. Here’s a list of NFL dark horse MVP candidates to bet on this season.
Rule: For this article, I am only considering players whose odds are +3000 or higher. This means a bettor would have to place $100 on the player in order to win $3000.
NFL Dark Horse MVP Candidates
Drew Lock, Quarterback, Denver Broncos (+3300)
Quite possibly the biggest breakout candidate this year, Lock has been hyped up all off-season. He started just five games last season, throwing for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns. Lock enters his second season as the unquestioned starter in a much-improved Denver offense. The Broncos had a massive offensive overhaul this off-season, adding receivers Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler in the draft and running back Melvin Gordon in free agency to go along with WR1 Courtland Sutton and tight end Noah Fant. Paired with a good defense, Lock has the potential to take the Broncos to the playoffs. Quarterbacks that lead their team to the playoffs, especially after a down year the year before, are good bets to win MVP. At +3300, putting some money down on Drew Lock is a good bet.
Christian McCaffrey, Running Back, Carolina Panthers (+3300)
McCaffrey has the best non-quarterback chance to win MVP in my opinion. If the Panthers are to make the playoffs it won’t be because of Teddy Bridgewater or the new-look defense. It will be because of CMC and his ability to carry the team on his back. He carried Carolina to quite a few years a year ago with Kyle Allen at quarterback. McCaffrey is arguably the most explosive running back in the NFL and will continue to prove that this year. If I were betting on a non-quarterback this year, “Dairy Sanders” is a very intriguing option.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers (+4000)
Garoppolo led the 49ers to the Super Bowl last year and should have them right in the mix again this year. While many gave credit to his defense, Garoppolo was still a great quarterback last year, completing 69.1 percent of his passes for nearly 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. The 49ers also gave Garoppolo more help around him, drafting wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from Arizona State in the first round of the draft. San Francisco should throw the ball more with his addition as well as the departure of running back Matt Breida. Garoppolo probably won’t win MVP, but a quarterback coming off a Super Bowl visit with +4000 odds is too good to pass up.
Myles Garrett, Defensive End, Cleveland Browns (+20000)
The last time we saw Garrett on the field, he was ripping Mason Rudolph’s helmet off his head. Fresh off his suspension for that action, Garrett is looking to terrify the opposing backfield once again. He anchors a Browns’ defense that should be average to above average this season. If the Browns make the playoffs, Garrett will be a key part of that. He also has better odds than anyone to have more than 20 sacks this season. He had 10 sacks in just 10 games last year and will only improve this year. Now, there’s an issue with betting on a defensive player. The last time a defensive player won MVP was Lawrence Taylor in 1986. There have been some incredible defenders over the last 35 years, yet none of them have won the award. However, at +20000, Garrett is worth the gamble.
