NFL Predictions: 10 Early Non-QB Favorites for MVP

I know it seems like a quarterback takes home the MVP award just about every season, so why not look at some of the candidates looking to steal one away from the signal callers?

It's true that the quarterback has to run the offense and dissect the defense. They must audible to get their team in the proper play for the best results, and many times the game depends on their ability to be at their best when things are at their worst.

How about some love for the playmakers, though?

The guys who take the handoff and immediately make a jump-cut to avoid a blitzing linebacker, accelerating to full speed before lowering their shoulder and the boom on a safety. 

What about the freakishly athletic wide receivers who fight through press coverage to keep their position and timing with their quarterback?

The guys that risk life and limb to haul in that high throw over the deep-middle of the field. Sometimes the quarterback just throws a jump ball in hopes that his stud wide receiver can out-jump and out-will the corner in coverage.

It's time we give some love to these warriors. Let's see who might shock the likes of Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

At times, Peterson appears to be a man amongst boys. He has a pure blend of speed and power in his running style, and it's unfortunate that he's stuck on such a mediocre team.

With Donovan McNabb in the twilight of his career and his numbers declining, teams can key in on Peterson and stack the box. Even with the odds against him, Peterson has proven to be one of the best running backs in the league. 

Through the first five games of the season, Peterson ranks second in the NFL in rushing at 498 yards. His 4.5-yards-per-carry average is impressive considering the eight- and nine-man fronts he faces with regularity. 

He is a big play waiting to happen on each carry. If the defense breaks down or loses containment on him, he can take it to the house. He has two carries topping the 40-yard mark and has hit pay dirt six times this season.

He has the ability to carry the Vikings offensively, and that is the definition of an MVP. If the Vikings can win some games, Peterson could have a legitimate shot at the MVP award.  

Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints

I understand that Jimmy Graham is a tight end; I also understand that he is a dynamic player at the position. 

In just his second season, Graham is burning defenses at an alarming rate. He currently ranks fourth in the NFL among pass catchers with 496 yards. More than that, he averages 15.5 yards per reception. 

His numbers would be impressive for a wide receiver, but when you take into account that Graham is 6'6" and 260 pounds, it becomes a little more clear just how special he is. 

You wouldn't know from his ability that he didn't play college football at Miami until his senior year. His story is eerily similar to that of Antonio Gates. A history of basketball and very limited football, insane athletic ability to go with a strong physical build and an ability to elevate for the ball. 

Graham is fast and agile and adjusts well to balls in flight. He is an excellent red-zone target and has logged three touchdowns thus far in 2011.

He has also proven to be a big-play threat like Gates. He has caught 10 passes of 20 or more yards, and 26 of his 32 receptions have gone for a first down. 

He is the complete package at tight end, and if you missed him in your fantasy draft, you are probably kicking yourself right about now. 

So give Jimmy Graham some love, even if he's a tight end and doesn't really have a fair shot at an MVP award. 

LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

LeSean "Shady" McCoy may have a super-hero side to his mere mortal self, the Shadow. Ever tried tackling your shadow? That is what it looks like at times when he plants his foot at full speed and leaves defenders baffled.

McCoy may not be considered by many as an "every-down back" but his numbers say otherwise. His 5.8 yards per carry lead all rushers with over 40 attempts. He currently has 443 rushing yards on the season, and he only averages a shade over 15 carries per game. 

He is lightning in a bottle with the ball in his hands, and the Eagles know that better than anyone. The offense runs through McCoy to set up their playmaking wide receivers to get deep. 

Shady McCoy is just as adept catching passes out of the backfield as he is taking handoffs. He has hauled in 19 passes for 110 yards and has totaled seven touchdowns on the season, with two of those coming on receptions. 

If not for Michael Vick's penchant for turnovers this season, LeSean McCoy could be running his way to the top of the MVP chatter. As it stands now, Vick must show he can handle the blitz if McCoy is going to have a legitimate shot at the coveted award. 

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

I don't know how, but Ryan Mathews has "quietly" put together a very impressive start in San Diego. 

With Philip Rivers still trying to find his rhythm, Mathews has burst onto the scene this year. He has proven to be much more of a dual threat than many had anticipated. 

He is helping the Chargers overcome their history of slow starts to lead the AFC West at 4-1. He has already rushed for 413 yards on the season and celebrated entrance to the end-zone VIP club three times. He averages 4.9 yards per carry and appears to be more comfortable with each carry.

He doesn't have home-run speed, but he has great size and agility and has rattled off three carries topping 20 yards. Add to that his 20 catches for a whopping 261 yards, and you are looking at Marshall Faulk-type production. 

If Mathews can add some touchdowns to his bloated stats, he might just run away with the MVP trophy and lead the Chargers past the Raiders and right into the playoffs. The more success your team has, the better chance you have of winning the MVP award. 

Mathews weakness is his frailty. He battled injuries at Fresno State and played in only 12 games last season. If Mathews can stay healthy and on pace with his current numbers, it would be tough to argue for someone more deserving. 

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Megatron is flat out ridiculous. His receptions and yards will not impress you like watching this young man on the field. If a ball is thrown within a country mile of him, he snatches it with his vise-like hands.

Before this year, Calvin Johnson had to put up No. 1 wideout production with No. 2 or 3 starting quarterbacks. I don't know any other wide receiver in the league that could accomplish what he has with who he had throwing the football.

Now he has a healthy Matthew Stafford and an improved team on both sides of the ball. He is taking full advantage of having a dependable cannon launching the ball downfield. He has two catches of 40-plus yards, including the 73-yard bomb he caught in prime time Monday night against the Bears.

At 6'5" and 235 pounds, he is the prototypical red-zone threat, and he has shown time and again that he will come down with the football no matter what teams say or do to stop him. He has hauled in a gaudy nine touchdowns through the first five games and appears unstoppable.

He could very well put up one of the most impressive seasons by any wide receiver in recent memory. If he can get Stafford to look his way a few more times between the 20s and add to his yardage, he would be a shoe-in for the MVP. 

Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are an early season Cinderella story, and Fred Jackson is the fulcrum of their offensive attack.

At the ripe old age of 30, Fred Jackson is putting together his most impressive season yet. He has rushed for 480 yards, placing him third and only trailing league-leading Darren McFadden by 39 yards. He has already notched five rushing touchdowns and averages 5.3 yards per carry. 

He has shown that he still has a lot left in the tank and has ripped off seven carries of over 20 yards. 

Proving he is a dual threat, Jackson has also hauled in 19 passes for 232 yards for a silly average of 12.2 per reception. 

If the Bills can push the New England Patriots and New York Jets out of the top seed in the AFC East, Jackson could propel the Bills into the playoffs and himself to the front of a crowded MVP race. 

The Bills have a balanced attack on offense with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm. Steve Johnson at wideout has solidified the No.1 slot, and David Nelson continues to push for targets. With their solid use of tight end Scott Chandler, it's hard for defenses to key on Jackson alone.

Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers have revved up to speed faster than anybody could have expected. It didn't take long for Newton to find his favorite target, and Steve Smith has vaulted back into the discussion of elite wide receivers in the league.

Smith has only hauled in 26 passes but has made the most of them, to the tune of 609 yards. He is a burner with big-play ability on any catch. For his small stature—5'9" 185 pounds—Smith plays like some of the biggest in the game. He is freakishly strong and determined to find the end zone. 

Of his 26 receptions, 19 have gone for first downs and 13 have gone for 20 or more yards, with 4 going for 40 or more. He has only three touchdowns because of his limitations in the red zone, but if a few more breaks go his way he could be in double digits in a hurry. 

He currently ranks second in the league in yardage, and his 22.6 average per reception outpaces all other wide receivers. 

His limitation could be the record of his team. Cam Newton has been more than impressive as a rookie, but he has had to sling the ball all over the field with Carolina trailing in games. I don't see Carolina making the playoffs, and that could be the death knell for Smith's MVP hopes. 

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden is perhaps the purest rusher in the NFL right now. His natural blend of speed, power and a penchant for finishing runs by delivering a blow is contagious.

The Raiders are a legitimate contender this year for the AFC West title, and much of the credit must go to the talented running back of the Silver and Black. 

He leads the league in rushing at 519 yards through five games. His ability to make something out of nothing, and something into a home run, has him near the top of the non-QB MVP chatter. He averages 5.7 yards per carry behind an offensive line still needing improvement.

When he hits the open field, many cornerbacks and safeties cringe at the thought of taking him head on. When they don't, McFadden throws a stiff arm into their grill and dashes to daylight. He leads the league with three carries of more than 40 yards and has crossed the goal line three times.

Add to that his 149 yards receiving, and he solidifies his position as one of the elite backs in the game.

The Raiders still have room to grow offensively, with young wide receivers Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey working themselves into the offense. Jacoby Ford and Kevin Boss have yet to find their groove, so it's possible that McFadden's touches could take a hit.

If the Raiders can keep the momentum and edge the Chargers for the AFC West title, it could be largely on the back of McFadden, and that is what defines an MVP. 

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Matt Forte is the closest thing to Marshall Faulk the NFL currently has.

He is the definition of a dual-threat running back. The difference this year is that Forte has shown that he can consistently get the tough yards. 

After Monday night's game against Detroit, Forte stands at 440 yards rushing, and his 5.4 yards per carry is nearly a full yard better than his career high of 4.5 last season. Forte must find a way to make it count for six points, as he only has one rushing touchdown on the season. He also has one receiving touchdown.  

While the Bears have struggled, Forte has shined. He has hauled in 30 passes in five games for 345 yards. Averaging 11.5 yards per reception is not too shabby for a running back.

Not only has he proven to be a dependable every-down back, but he has shown he too has home-run ability. He is tied for the NFL lead with three carries of 40-plus yards. He currently is in the top seven in the league in both rushing and receiving. 

The Bears are 2-3 on the season, and with Detroit and Green Bay both undefeated I don't see the Bears pushing into the playoff picture. That could be the main reason why Forte doesn't make it into the final discussion. 

Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots

The closest competition for Welker might be his own quarterback. Tom Brady and Wes Welker are both on a record-setting pace at their respective positions. I don't know if there is a defense that can slow the dynamic duo down.

Welker is blowing away his nearest competition at wide receiver. With 740 yards through five games, Welker has been unstoppable. Teams have game-planned around him and still failed to stop him. 

His ridiculous 16-catch, 217-yard Week 3 game at Buffalo was overshadowed only by a loss to the upstart Bills. His worst statistical performance of the season came in New England's Week 2 victory over San Diego, when he had a mere seven catches for 81 yards. 

He averages 16.4 yards per reception and an astounding 148 yards per game. At that rate, Welker would go for more than 2,300 yards on the season.

The Jets could not slow him down, as he went for 124 yards on five catches. If Revis island and the Jets defense couldn't do a thing to stop him, who will?

He has added five touchdowns, and of his 45 receptions, 33 have resulted in a first down. It's clear that  Brady and Welker are on the same page, and they appear to be immune to any defense. 

If Welker and Brady stay near the frenetic pace they have set so far, they could share the MVP trophy in yet another symbol of their bond to one another.