Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, LeSean McCoy, Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, 25-1
In this final tier of candidates we have the NFL’s top two running backs, best wide receiver and four young quarterbacks.
Among the signal-callers, there’s the a reigning Super Bowl championship quarterback in the grouping of the up-and-coming talents. Newton lost a lot of talent over the offseason, so he’ll be counted on to do more by himself. Griffin is being touted as a Comeback Player of the Year candidate, and Kaepernick could be pulling the strings for an NFC contender, one that may have to rely on its offense more now than it has had to in year’s past.
Then there’s Johnson, who I believe is a long-shot only because quarterbacks tend to get the recognition for dynamic tandems. Peterson is always in the discussion, but may have trouble when the Minnesota Vikings fall deeper and deeper in the standings.
McCoy, though, is a true darkhorse if the Philadelphia Eagles can repeat as NFC East champs. He’s the centerpiece on a very dynamic Chip Kelly offense, and his numbers could balloon in 2014. Where the Eagles finish in the conference could determine where Shady finishes in the MVP race.
