NFL's 100 Most Valuable Players: Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen Battle for Top Spot

The NFL MVP is typically a quarterback award, but this list goes beyond that to rank the 100 most valuable players in the league based on their performance in the 2024 regular season.

The NFL's Most Valuable Player is a quarterback award. It is virtually impossible for a non-QB to be more valuable than the most valuable quarterback. The standard MVP conversation fails to encapsulate incredible performances by non-quarterbacks or tangle with questions regarding each position's value. That's why I like to make a ballot that goes beyond five players. Far beyond. For the third consecutive season, I've created my (hypothetical) 100-player MVP ballot. You can view last year's here. Before we dive in, here's how I define value and create this list. This list is purely descriptive based on the 2024 regular season. All that matters is who generated the most value this season. Value represents the difference between a player and an average starter at that player's position. That means a QB1 will be a virtual lock to be ranked ahead of a TE1, because the difference between the best and average quarterback is much larger than the difference between the best and average tight end. It also caps the QB starters to half the league, which is different than if we measured value over replacement. And frankly, I find it more fun. To create my initial rankings, I ranked players by position and slotted them into an overall list. I leaned on a wide variety of quantitative metrics -- win rates, receiver tracking metrics, coverage data, various EPA measures --- along with my own analysis. Qualitative considerations such as All-Pro teams and PFF grades were considered, too. I shared my initial list with several colleagues and trusted talent evaluators in NFL front offices to get their expert input. I moved players based on their feedback, particularly if multiple people told me I misjudged a certain player. Let's dive into the ballot, starting with the No. 1 question: Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or another QB?

What to Read Next

The Promising Future of Kyle Williams in the NFL with the Patriots
NFL

The Promising Future of Kyle Williams in the NFL with the Patriots

Explore the potential of Kyle Williams in the NFL with the Patriots and more related news.

Will the Jacksonville Jaguars' Offensive Reinforcements Make Them Super Explosive in 2025?
NFL

Will the Jacksonville Jaguars' Offensive Reinforcements Make Them Super Explosive in 2025?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made significant offensive additions. Will they be more explosive in 2025?

The Jets' Bold Bet on Justin Fields for QB1 Success
NFL

The Jets' Bold Bet on Justin Fields for QB1 Success

The New York Jets show strong commitment to Justin Fields as QB1.

Washington Commanders' Defense Upgrades: A Step Forward or Not?
NFL

Washington Commanders' Defense Upgrades: A Step Forward or Not?

The Washington Commanders focused on defense in the offseason. Have they done enough?

Quinn Ewers' NFL Draft Journey: From High Hopes to Miami Dolphins
NFL

Quinn Ewers' NFL Draft Journey: From High Hopes to Miami Dolphins

Follow Quinn Ewers' NFL draft process from expectations to the Dolphins.

The Browns' Surprising Move: Drafting Shedeur Sanders
NFL

The Browns' Surprising Move: Drafting Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns' decision to draft Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round and its implications.

2025 NFL Rookie of the Year Prospects: Offense and Defense
NFL

2025 NFL Rookie of the Year Prospects: Offense and Defense

Preview of potential 2025 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates on both sides of the ball.

Shedeur Sanders' Surprise Visit to Cleveland High School and His NFL Journey
NFL

Shedeur Sanders' Surprise Visit to Cleveland High School and His NFL Journey

Shedeur Sanders makes a surprise visit to a Cleveland-area high school after joining the Browns.

Baker Mayfield's Warm Welcome to Emeka Egbuka
NFL

Baker Mayfield's Warm Welcome to Emeka Egbuka

Baker Mayfield treated Emeka Egbuka and his family to brunch. Learn more!

The 2025 NFL Draft: Unveiling the Best 100 Picks and Their Impact
NFL

The 2025 NFL Draft: Unveiling the Best 100 Picks and Their Impact

Analysis of the top 100 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, considering value, fit, and more.

The Impact of Drafting DE Shemar Stewart on Trey Hendrickson's Future with the Bengals
NFL

The Impact of Drafting DE Shemar Stewart on Trey Hendrickson's Future with the Bengals

Will the drafting of DE Shemar Stewart affect Trey Hendrickson's future with the Bengals?

Las Vegas Raiders' Offensive Makeover: Building Around Geno Smith
NFL

Las Vegas Raiders' Offensive Makeover: Building Around Geno Smith

The Las Vegas Raiders' efforts to build a stronger offense around Geno Smith through the 2025 NFL draft.

Robert Saleh's Impact on 49ers' Defensive Draft Success
NFL

Robert Saleh's Impact on 49ers' Defensive Draft Success

The 49ers' draft choices show the influence of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

The Best 100 Picks of the 2025 NFL Draft: Insights and Analysis
NFL

The Best 100 Picks of the 2025 NFL Draft: Insights and Analysis

Analysis of the top 100 picks in the 2025 NFL draft, considering various factors

The Detroit Lions' Strategic Draft Moves in the 2025 NFL Season
NFL

The Detroit Lions' Strategic Draft Moves in the 2025 NFL Season

The Detroit Lions made unique draft choices in 2025, focusing on film evaluation and future potential.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.