Expectations around the 2019 Dallas Cowboys are as high as they’ve been in quite some time. Fans are hoping the team can carry the momentum from their late season run in 2018 into this upcoming season, and repeat as NFC East champions for the first time in well over a decade.
Expectations around individual players on the Cowboys are also sky high. DeMarcus Lawrence has already got his contract, Dak Prescott seems to be up next on the “pay him” to-do list, and running back Ezekiel Elliott is being put into preseason MVP discussions.
My top 5 MVP Candidates for 2019
1) Carson Wentz
2) Patrick Mahomes
3) Saquon Barkley
4) Philip Rivers
5) Ezekiel ElliottThoughts?
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) July 5, 2019
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah placed Zeke fifth on his top five MVP candidate list for 2019. While this was somewhat surprising, as Elliott is a running back who has already put up insane numbers without earning MVP-type recognition (or even Rookie of the Year), the fact he was behind two NFC East players was downright shocking.
Sure, Carson Wentz is a legit candidate for the award, especially if the Eagles have a season like they did in 2017. If Philly wins the division and potentially earns a first round playoff bye, then Wentz will be right up there in the MVP talks.
But considering what the Giants will likely be in 2019, and the position he plays, Saquon Barkley would need a miracle to earn the MVP award.
In my opinion, Ezekiel Elliott isn’t much of a real MVP candidate either. Yes I think he is one of, if not the, best running back in the league. And, yes, I do believe he will put up more monstrous rushing numbers in 2019.
But if Todd Gurley wasn’t the MVP in 2017, and Elliott didn’t earn much MVP momentum at all in ’16 and ’18, it’s hard to imagine Elliott doing much more to get that recognition this season. This is a quarterback-driven league, and those quarterbacks tend to win these types of awards.
