NFL Season Predictions: Every Team’s Most Valuable Player in 2024

While not every team has a genuine candidate to be named NFL MVP, each squad has their own essential players. Let’s take a look at the player we expect to be most valuable to each of the NFL’s 32 teams.

Predicting Every NFL Team’s Most Valuable Player This Season

Arizona Cardinals | Marvin Harrison Jr.

It’s unusual to see a rookie on this type of list, especially a non-quarterback, but Marvin Harrison Jr. is just that caliber of talent, and the Cardinals don’t necessarily have the NFL’s most loaded roster.

Of course, Kyler Murray has MVP upside, but he’s gone through several prolonged slumps in his career and has dealt with injuries as well. If Murray can remain at the helm, Harrison could help transform the offense by serving as a true No. 1 receiver. And if Arizona’s quarterback gets hurt, he’ll be a security blanket of sorts to keep the team running.

Atlanta Falcons | Bijan Robinson

It was an up-and-down rookie season for Bijan Robinson in 2023, but with a new regime in place, he should have an expanded role in Atlanta.

Running backs aren’t often seen as the focal point of an offense in this era, but with an aging Kirk Cousins at quarterback and receiving weapons that have been inconsistent in the past, expect Robinson to be at the center of things every week.

Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson

Who could we pick for Baltimore except the actual reigning NFL MVP?

It’s tough to become a repeat winner, but it’s safe to say that a healthy Lamar Jackson will be Baltimore’s most key player.

All quarterbacks are vital in this pass-heavy era of football, but Jackson’s unique athleticism also makes him the centerpiece of the Ravens’ dominant ground game, so it’s easy to make the call that he’s their most important player.

Buffalo Bills | Josh Allen

It could be argued that if we were purely honing in on “value,” nearly every team’s quarterback would be the pick. However, there’s no team that truly leans on its signal-caller more than Buffalo does Josh Allen.

The Bills showed immense faith in Allen by sending Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis packing this offseason, yet another testament to how much of an engine their quarterback is regardless of who he’s throwing to — or running through.

Carolina Panthers | Jadeveon Clowney

While new head coach Dave Canales already appears to be working wonders with Carolina’s offense, we can’t pick a coach, so let’s go to the other side of the ball.

Jadeveon Clowney had a resurgent year in 2023 with Baltimore, and he’ll look to lead continued improvement for a defense that took major strides under Ejiro Evero last season.

Chicago Bears | Caleb Williams

This is a tougher question than it’s been in years past, but for all of the right reasons — there are too many top contenders for Chicago.

DJ Moore showed how big of a boost he could be to Chicago’s offense last year, while a midseason move for Montez Sweat was absolutely transformative to the defense.

However, when a franchise picks a quarterback No. 1 overall for the first time in its history, there’s only one possible answer; it’ll have to be Caleb Williams, the generational talent. If he’s not decidedly Chicago’s MVP almost immediately, the pick will look like a major waste.

Cincinnati Bengals | Ja’Marr Chase

Yes, Joe Burrow is the centerpiece for Cincinnati, but Ja’Marr Chase is what makes Burrow work. He leaped from a replacement-level starter to a record-breaking Heisman winner when Chase came to LSU, struggled through his rookie season while waiting for Chase to make it to the NFL, and made another major leap after the Bengals drafted his old top target.

Cincy is in a precarious situation with perhaps their most key player as he awaits a major contract extension, the likes of which many of the league’s top receivers hauled in this year.

Chase is no guarantee for Week 1, so perhaps we’ll get to see what Burrow can or can’t do without him once more.

Cleveland Browns | Myles Garrett

Cleveland is the rare team where it’s pretty easy to look past the QB position. After all, they won 11 games last year while starting five different players under center, four of whom won at least one start.

This team is driven by its defense, which itself is built around reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett. There’s plenty of defensive talent on the Browns’ roster, but Garrett is in a category of his own at the top.

Dallas Cowboys | Micah Parsons

Another edge rusher from a top-tier defense cracks the list as the transcendent Micah Parsons looks to add a DPOY award of his own to his résumé.

Dallas’ defense has really flourished over the last few years as Parsons has emerged as a super-elite player. His strong performance will be needed once more as the Cowboys will be locked in another tough NFC East battle.

Denver Broncos | Patrick Surtain II

While it’s rare to pick a defensive back as a team’s most valuable player, we can be fairly certain in Denver’s case. This isn’t a loaded roster, but it’s been characterized by high-end secondary talent in recent seasons.

With Justin Simmons now in Atlanta, Patrick Surtain II is the clear-cut choice as Denver’s best player, as one of the league’s true shutdown corners.

Detroit Lions | Penei Sewell

Not many teams will be featuring an offensive lineman on this list, especially true contenders with championship-caliber rosters like Detroit’s.

However, Penei Sewell is far from an ordinary lineman. After earning first-team All-Pro honors last season, the athletic tackle has emerged as perhaps the league’s best and, at the age of 23, should only improve.

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Yes, Detroit’s offense is filled with high-end skill players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, but their production is all enabled by the great work Sewell and his fellow linemen do up front.

Green Bay Packers | Jaire Alexander

Ever since his elite breakout season in 2020, the Packers have been waiting for top corner Jaire Alexander to recapture the magic. He’s dealt with injury woes and plain old slumps of average play, but a return to the top level of NFL defensive backs will be vital if Green Bay is to take another step toward legitimate Super Bowl contention.

Houston Texans | C.J. Stroud

After a phenomenal rookie season and a big win in his playoff debut, C.J. Stroud is viewed by many as one of the favorites to win league MVP, so it’s very fair to expect him to be Houston’s most vital player.

The Texans love to go to the air, and with a very balanced receiving room, there’s nobody more important than Stroud as he masterfully distributes the ball throughout all of his options.

Indianapolis Colts | Bernhard Raimann

It would appear easy to put Anthony Richardson or Jonathan Taylor in this spot, but after the Colts performed so well last year while both missed stretches of time, it becomes a much harder sell. Instead, let’s go a bit off of the beaten path and hone in on Bernhard Raimann.

The Austrian tackle has had a unique path, so it’s understandable that he’d have a bit of a learning curve once hitting the NFL. Yet, in 2023, he took a big Year 2 jump in 2023.

Now, Raimann is slated to be Indy’s left tackle, tasked with both paving the way for a ground-first offense and keeping Richardson upright for 17 games.

Jacksonville Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence

We’re not overthinking this one; Jacksonville goes as Trevor Lawrence goes.

By some measures, 2023 was Lawrence’s best year yet. But poor luck and team performance deflated his traditional stats in many ways. Expect him to be back to his best with a refreshed Jaguars squad this season.

Kansas City Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes

We have arrived at the easiest decision on the entire list, as Patrick Mahomes is widely considered the overwhelming favorite to win NFL MVP this season. Over the past few years, his value has become clear, as Kansas City has won consecutive Super Bowls with a revolving-door cast of receivers following Tyreek Hill’s departure.

As long as Mahomes is under center, the Chiefs are top contenders, making him a slam-dunk choice for team MVP.

Las Vegas Raiders | Maxx Crosby

Long being one of the most underrated players in the NFL, a 14.5-sack season in 2023 helped Maxx Crosby gain some of the respect he deserves by cracking the top 10 of the NFL 100, as voted by his fellow players.

Las Vegas’ defense was much better than expected last season, and Crosby’s elite performance off the edge was a huge reason they were able to overperform.

Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert

Of course, the results haven’t been the same as they are for Mahomes in Kansas City, but it could be argued that Justin Herbert is asked to shoulder just as much of the load for his team — if not more.

With QB whisperer Jim Harbaugh now running the show instead of the defensive-minded and thoroughly inept Brandon Staley, expect Herbert’s best performance yet in 2024.

Los Angeles Rams | Matthew Stafford

Last season, the Rams would’ve been the only team with a potential Hall of Fame quarterback for which this question actually bears asking. However, with Aaron Donald retired, Matthew Stafford is the incredibly clear answer.

Stafford has been at the helm for some of the most historic receiving seasons in NFL history. And as they’ve taken place across a decade on two different teams, it’s becoming clear that he’s the common denominator.

LA has been a quieter team since winning the Super Bowl in 2021, having dealt with injuries on offense, including issues for Stafford himself. Now, the offense is intact and ready to go, and they’ll need Stafford to play at a high level to pick up the slack for a declining defense.

Miami Dolphins | Tyreek Hill

It might be unfair to dismiss the contributions of super-efficient quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but Hill is one of the most transformative offensive players in NFL history. His game-breaking speed instantly elevated the Dolphins when he arrived, and he made history with consecutive seasons of 1,700+ yards in his first two campaigns with the team.

After missing a game last year, can Hill make a push for that elusive 2,000-yard season? More importantly, can he help Miami win its first playoff game in more than two decades?

Minnesota Vikings | Justin Jefferson

After signing a major extension, Justin Jefferson will certainly be the face of the Vikings for years to come. This is especially true for this season, as rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the entire campaign.

It will be up to Jefferson to make things easy for backup Sam Darnold. He’ll have a particularly tall task for the first few weeks of the year as reliable tight end T.J. Hockenson misses time.

New England Patriots | Jabrill Peppers

In New England, Jabrill Peppers has finally flourished to the degree that his talent has always implied that he could. His first campaign with the Patriots showed plenty of promise, while last year was by far his best as a pro.

Now a team captain, the do-it-all safety will need to have another tremendous season. New England’s defense will be seen as the stronger side of the ball, even after losing key edge rusher Matthew Judon.

New Orleans Saints | Tyrann Mathieu

New Orleans native Tyrann Mathieu has flourished since returning home in 2022 with a pair of the best coverage seasons of his electrifying career. The only question is whether he can keep playing at a high level as he inches further past the age of 30.

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Nevertheless, it’s rarely wise to bet against the Honey Badger; expect Mathieu to be a vital defender for the Saints once again.

New York Giants | Dexter Lawrence

Over the past two seasons, Dexter Lawrence has established himself as a high-end NFL defensive lineman. He’s a highly valuable run-stopper and even provides a pass-rushing push from the interior rarely seen in today’s league.

New York Jets | Aaron Rodgers

With the Jets more loaded than ever, this is a very challenging decision. The offensive line is completely revamped, but it’s tough to pull an individual candidate from the group. The same goes for the defense. With so many All-Pro level players, no one is that much more valuable than the rest.

Aaron Rodgers isn’t necessarily the best Jets offensive player at this point in his career. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are probably closer to the top at their respective positions.

However, after missing all of last year, it’s clear that this Jets team is going as far as their Hall of Fame QB can take them. If Rodgers is anywhere close to his old best, that could mean the Super Bowl, making a great case for him as the team’s MVP.

Philadelphia Eagles | Jordan Mailata

This current Eagles era has been defined by dominance at the offensive line. The unit has been the best in the league, or close to it, almost too many times to count. However, the literal and figurative centerpiece is gone this year, with the legendary Jason Kelce opting to retire.

Lane Johnson is the group’s veteran leader, but he’s 34 years old himself. Jordan Mailata, meanwhile, the other tackle, is 27 and coming off a fantastic 2023 campaign.

Expect this to be the year in which Mailata takes the mantle as the heart of Philly’s O-line, vitally creating opportunities for Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts on the ground and giving Hurts time to fire the ball to Philly’s loaded receiving corps.

Pittsburgh Steelers | T. J. Watt

This is perhaps the easiest call of any non-quarterback on this list. T.J. Watt has dealt with some injury woes, but for the most part, he’s been one of the NFL’s very best edge rushers for an entire half-decade now.

In the past two years, Watt has cracked the 19-sack mark twice, including a staggering total of 22.5 in 2021. At the age of 29, he’s still soundly within his prime, so don’t expect Watt to slow down now, especially as he still needs to do more to earn the coveted title of best player in the family.

San Francisco 49ers | Christian McCaffrey

In this era of football, on arguably the most talented roster in the NFL, is it really prudent to pick a running back as a team MVP? It is in this case, as Christian McCaffrey is more than just a running back.

The case could easily be made that McCaffrey deserved to be named league MVP after scoring in nearly every game last season.

While contract drama circles the rest of San Francisco’s key offensive skill players, McCaffrey’s deals are never in question, speaking to his importance to the team. The 49ers took an immediate step up when he arrived midway through the 2022 season, and after coming just a few snaps short of a Super Bowl ring last year, expect the do-it-all superstar to come back with a vengeance this season.

Seattle Seahawks | DK Metcalf

Don’t look now, but Tyler Lockett is showing signs of aging. The injuries are beginning to show up, and he was at his least productive last season. On the other end of the spectrum, rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba hasn’t quite hit his stride at the NFL level yet.

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Meanwhile, DK Metcalf has quietly been one of the most consistent producers at the WR position since entering the league in 2019. His career low is 900 yards, and he’s coming off of consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. After flexing his big-play ability more than ever last year, expect Metcalf to be Seattle’s clear-cut top option this season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Antoine Winfield Jr.

For a fringe playoff team, the Bucs have a surprising amount of legitimate All-Pro talent. Tristan Wirfs is one of the best young linemen in the NFL, and Mike Evans might be the most consistently productive receiver since Jerry Rice. Still, the nod has to go to 2023 first-team All-Pro selection Antoine Winfield Jr.

Ever since a breakout rookie season, Winfield has been a lynchpin for Tampa Bay’s defense. Last season was his best yet, and at the age of 26, expect the versatile safety to keep ascending.

Tennessee Titans | Calvin Ridley

Amidst Jacksonville’s struggles last year was a successful return to play for Calvin Ridley after his 2022 season-long suspension. Ridley put up his first 1,000-yard season since 2020 and will now be playing across from DeAndre Hopkins, who also returned to 1,000-yard form in his first season with Tennessee last year.

Washington Commanders | Bobby Wagner

Seeing Bobby Wagner on the East Coast will be a strange sight, but there’s no reason to believe he’ll do anything other than continue his usual high level of play.

After a year away, he returned to Seattle last year and set a career high with a league-leading 183 total tackles and will now serve as a much-needed veteran presence on a young Washington team.