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A week ago, I predicted Russell Wilson would win this year’s Most Valuable Player award. However, after last weekend’s games, I would like to cancel my first mid-season pick and replace it with New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.
Yes, Wilson and other quarterbacks – namely, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers – deserve to be in the conversation for the honor, but I think it’s high time we took a long look at a different stance on the MVP chatter. The last non-quarterback to win the award was Adrian Peterson in 2012, but Kamara should have a real shot at claiming the award this season.
After agreeing to a five-year, $ 75 million contract extension in September, Kamara has proven he’s worth every penny the Saints (7-2) have raised their star by running to the top of the NFC South. The fourth-year running back thrived as the focal point of Sean Payton’s offense, propelling a team that was without 2019 attacking player of the year Michael Thomas for five games. As Week 11 approaches, Kamara leads the team in carries (104), rushing yards (486), rush touchdowns (seven), targets (80), receptions (67) and yards on reception (648). He’s also tied with Jared Cook for the team leader in TD receptions with four. Kamara is on track to become the first player in NFL history to record over 800 rushing yards and over 1,100 yards in a single season. I think it’s fair to say that the saints would be far seven wins without Kamara.
Payton maximized Kamara’s versatile skills by leveraging his abilities as a wide receiver. He’s been targeted on 36.9% of his routes this season (most in the NFL) and has been very effective on short routes, such as screens, slopes, and outs. Getting the ball into space at Kamara has been critical to New Orleans’ success as they lead the NFL in yards after the catch with 657-255 yards more than the closest player, the Washington wide receiver. , Terry McLaurin.
It looks like Kamara and the Saints are set to face their biggest test of the season, with Drew Brees at risk of missing at least two weeks with an injury, according to Ian Rapoport, an NFL network insider. RB1 continued to make an impact with Brees sidelined in the second half of Sunday’s victory over the 49ers (a three TD day for Kamara), but he has to show if it’s Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill under the center if Brees can’t go. .
However, I see no reason to adjust Kamara’s use despite the potential changes to the quarterback position. It just gives him another chance to show the league what he can do when the offense isn’t at full strength. With two games against Atlanta sandwiching a road game in Denver next on the schedule, I predict a lot more people will see Kamara as the MVP favorite when we reach the final quarter of the regular season.
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