Which non-QBs are worth betting to win NFL MVP in 2021?

With the NFL being a quarterback league, it feels like we may never see a non-passer win MVP again. In the last two years, we've watched Derrick Henry rush for 2,000 yards; Christian McCaffrey record 1,000 rushing AND receiving yards; and Michael Thomas break the single-season receptions record (149). None of them received an MVP vote.

Could this be the year that changes? The top two MVP candidates, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, have each won the award within the last three years. The last player to win twice within four years was Rodgers in 2011 and 2014, and he was only the third to do so since 2002. Voter fatigue is real, and it could spell a long-shot value in a star-studded field.

Here are the odds for all non-quarterbacks to win MVP, along with five of our favorite value bets:

Derrick Henry, RB (+5000)

At some point, Henry's brilliance has to be recognized, right? The Titans running back led the league with 1,540 yards on the ground in a breakout 2019 that saw him rush for 896 in his final six games alone. He followed it up in 2020 with 2,027 rushing yards, which ranked fifth all time, in an era when passing is king.

Henry should have more scoring opportunities and a greater spotlight this year, as Tennessee's offense projects to be even more explosive with Julio Jones on board. If King Henry's ever going to win MVP, this is the season.

Alvin Kamara, RB (+10000)

Few players are more explosive per touch than Kamara. He ranks second in scrimmage yards (6,164) since his rookie year in 2017 despite never seeing 300 touches in a season. This could finally be the year he surpasses that mark as the Saints' offense reinvents itself in the post-Drew Brees era.

Kamara's efficiency will surely suffer as a result, and there are questions about his durability as he enters his age-26 season. At this price, though? There's immense upside.

Nick Chubb, RB (+10000)

While Henry is clearly the league's most decorated back, Chubb might be the most talented rusher on this list. The Browns star led all starting running backs in yards per carry (5.6) a year ago, and he recorded 1,494 yards on five yards per rush in 2019.

Chubb, who figures to feature heavily in Cleveland's widely expected leap this season, should benefit from extra touches in the red zone, where he scored 10 of his 12 rushing touchdowns last year. Don't sleep on a talent like Chubb at this price.

Tyreek Hill, WR (+15000)

If any receiver is going to put up such ridiculous numbers to merit MVP consideration, Hill is a likely candidate. The Chiefs speedster ranked eighth in receiving yards (1,276) and second in touchdowns (15) a year ago despite finishing outside of the top 15 in receptions (87). Plus, he nearly broke the single-game receiving mark when he tallied 203 yards in the first quarter of a 269-yard effort in Week 12.

The tricky part of Hill's candidacy is separating his production from his MVP-winning quarterback, so it'd likely take 2,000 yards or 20 touchdowns for him to get his due. Could Hill do it? It depends on if Kansas City lets him try.

Austin Ekeler, RB (+25000)

This is a pure numbers play, as very few people would consider Ekeler among the league's 10 or 15 best non-quarterbacks. But he can play like one. The Chargers' do-it-all back averaged 102.1 scrimmage yards in his nine full games in 2020, which would've ranked fourth across a full season.

In his second year with quarterback Justin Herbert, Ekeler profiles as an ultra-safe weapon for his emerging signal-caller with elite upside if first-year head coach Brandon Staley employs him in a McCaffrey-like role. It's unlikely, but at 250-1, it's worth a shot.

C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at [email protected].