2023 NFL MVP Ladder: Preseason Edition

Apr 08, 2023

By Marissa Myers May 29, 2023 3:00 pm Follow @Marissa_m27

By Marissa Myers | May 29, 2023 3:00 pm ET Follow @Marissa_m27

Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

With the NFL Season quickly approaching, it is never too early to start looking at preseason award winners. The MVP award is the top honor in the league, and when predicting an early winner, there are a few trends that come into play. It has been dominated by quarterbacks recently, as the last 10 have been quarterbacks. Each winner since 2001 has also been on teams that have won 11-plus games. With that in mind, these are the top eight players entering the preseason to look at for winning the MVP award.

*Odds presented by Betfred Sportsbook

8- Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars (+1400)

Lawrence took a huge leap last season under Doug Pederson, enough so to where in his third season he should be considered for the MVP. He went from 3,641 yards, 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2021 to 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022. Granted, playing in a weak division like the AFC South will help in this sense, but the Jaguars also should get over 10 wins to reach that threshold as well. The offense around Lawrence is even going to get a boost as Calvin Ridley is now going to be added to the receiving room. When you look at the final nine games of the season, Lawrence threw 15 touchdowns to only two interceptions, if that continues into this season, he very well could end up with the AP NFL MVP and be the first Jacksonville Jaguar to do so.

7- Jared Goff, Quarterback, Detroit Lions (+4000)

Just look at the Detroit Lions offense, and Jared Goff deserves some early recognition to potentially win the MVP. Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams when he is able to play off his suspension are going to provide Goff with an elevated receiving room already, and Marvin Jones was also added to the fold. At running back, Goff has two guys in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs that also have pass catching capabilities and will open the offense up more as well. Goff arguably had his best season since 2018 as he completed 65.1% of his passes for 4,438 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. That was already an improvement from his 2021 season with the Lions where he had 3,245 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. With Goff continuing to excel in this offense, the offense getting better around him, and this Lions team on track to win double-digit games, there is value for Goff to win MVP.

6- Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers (+900)

Herbert has what makes MVP candidates stick out, the ability to make highlight reel throws every time he is on the field. When you look at the situation around Herbert, he has the talent, but he is relied on to elevate that talent. Keenan Allen hasn't been able to stay healthy, and Mike Williams missed time with injury as well last season. Despite that, Herbert still finished with an adjusted completion percentage of 78.8%, 5,026 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. All that was while dealing with a nagging rib injury he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week Two. Now, Herbert comes into this season without the injury, with an extra receiver to turn to in Quentin Johnston, and a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore. With Moore now calling the plays in Los Angeles, ones that will actually focus on the strengths of Herbert, look for him to take the next step this season and be considered a candidate for the award right from the start.

5- Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens (+1600)

Lamar Jackson won the MVP award in 2019, his receiving group consisted of Mark Andrews, Marquise Brown, Willie Snead and Miles Boykin. Still, he put up 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns with only six interceptions while adding 1,206 yards on the ground. Since then, Jackson hasn't eclipsed 3,000 yards, but this could be the season in which he does so. The Ravens have been a run-heavy team, but they made efforts to improve the receiving around Jackson, and he now has Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Odell Beckham Jr., Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman will be back off his injury. There is also the Todd Monken factor as the Ravens new offensive coordinator, who should help increase the passing aspect of the offense and put Jackson back on the MVP level he can play at.

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