The top 10 NFL MVP candidates: Is Kyler Murray in contention for the league's most prestigious award?

The league MVP award seems to have become an accolade for the best quarterback in the league. The last time a non-QB picked up the award was Adrian Peterson, back in 2012.

The list chosen reflects the dominance of quarterbacks for this award, but also values those players who are most important to their individual team.

1. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)

The league’s best player has somehow been playing as well as anyone in the league but receiving far less recognition than other quarterbacks. This is probably because everyone expects Mahomes to play at these high levels. What is so impressive about him is his lack of poor performances. While others have bad games, Mahomes is consistently excellent, producing passes that few others could.

The Kansas City Chief has recorded 25 passing touchdowns with only one interception all season long.

2. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)

The Rodgers renaissance has been slightly unexpected. Green Bay have reinvigorated their offense with Rodgers at the heart of it. His connection to Davante Adams is as strong as ever but Rodgers has even made the likes of Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Robert Tonyan into out and out playmakers.

Of all the starting quarterbacks, Rodgers has the best quarterback rating, just a touch higher than Mahomes. The Packers’ losses to Tampa Bay and Minnesota will count against Rodgers, however. The first of these especially, as Green Bay’s offense was decimated by an aggressive Buccaneers defense.

3. Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)

If this award was given out after the first six weeks of the season, it would undoubtedly be going to Wilson. He started the season in remarkable form, leading Seattle to win after win thanks to their dynamic passing offense. Wilson was faultless, adding special throws to intelligent decision making.

However, Wilson, and Seattle, have struggled over the past couple of weeks. Sunday’s loss to the Rams is a notable example with Wilson being sacked multiple times and throwing interceptions.

Wilson’s early season form was so spectacular that he can still bounce back to claim this award.

4. Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints)

Kamara is one of the few players in the league that may well be more important to his team than the quarterback is. This theory is about to be tested out, with Drew Brees facing a spell on the sidelines due to injury.

The running back carries the Saints’ offense both through the ground game but also as a vital part of their short passing game. Kamara has scored seven touchdowns already this campaign and is the most complete back in the league.

If New Orleans are to be successful with Jameis Winston at the helm, then Kamara’s output will need to be even higher than it already has been. This could elevate his MVP chances.

5. Dalvin Cook (Minnesota Vikings)

If Kamara carries the Saints offense, Cook’s importance to Minnesota is even greater. It is quite simple. When Cook plays well, the Vikings can win games. If he struggles, the pressure tends to shift to Kirk Cousins and they start to falter.

Cook leads the league in yards and touchdowns. He has been unstoppable at times, making professional NFL defenses look decidedly amateur. Undoubtedly the best running back in the league this year, although he is not as proficient in the passing game as Kamara.

6. Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals)

Murray is the player who’s MVP candidacy is starting to gain momentum as we enter the back half of the season. The Cardinals sit top of their division and Murray’s importance to their offense exceeds a normal quarterback due to his exceptional running game.

The 23-year-old averages the most yards per carry in the league, demonstrating the effectiveness of his elusive footwork and rapid acceleration. Murray’s passing has improved over the past few weeks and his game-winning throw to DeAndre Hopkins on Sunday will be remembered as one of the plays of the year.

Lamar Jackson won the MVP award last year as a second year quarterback who excelled with his feet. Why can’t Murray do the same?

7. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)

Allen is another player that started the season extremely well before suffering a slight dip. However, Allen has started to emerge from his slump and is looking back towards his best. Allen was excellent against the Seahawks and delivered a stunning pass to almost clinch a win for his side against the Cardinals on Sunday.

The Bills QB leads the league in passing yards, is dynamic with ball in hand and has shown improved mental aptitude this campaign. An outside shot, but certainly not out of the running.

8. Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Tom Brady has, undeniably, improved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Granted, he has one of the most talented receiving corps in the NFL and a decent enough running game to work with. Nevertheless, Brady has been playing at a high level for most of this season and, despite his age, his arm looks as strong as it has in years.

It is a stretch to say he has even been one of the top five quarterbacks in the league this year, but if Tampa gets on a roll for the rest of the season then you never know.

9. Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns)

Defensive players undoubtedly deserve more consideration when it comes to this award, so here it is. Garrett leads the league in sacks - with 9.5 already registered. Add in to the equation four forced fumbles and a strong case can be made for Garrett.

Garrett has always had the potential to put together a season like this and it is coming to fruition. Rushing the passer is absolutely vital in an offense dominated league.

10. Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams)

Donald is the other leading defensive candidate. He has nine sacks to his name and three forced fumbles. However, what is so impressive about Donald’s output is the pressure he is generating from the interior, as opposed to a player like Garrett who lines up on the edge.

The Rams creatively scheme their defensive front and Donald has the ability to create chaos and take over any game.