Baker Mayfield Opens as a Top 6 Contender in 2019 NFL MVP Odds
By Chris Amberley in NFL Football
Updated: April 12, 2020 at 9:18 pm EDTPublished:
- Baker Mayfield is a top-6 contender to win the 2019 NFL MVP according to oddsmakers
- Mayfield has shorter odds than some of the biggest names in football, including former MVP’s Cam Newton and Matt Ryan
- Who is the best bet to win the 2019 NFL MVP?
The Baker Mayfield hype has reached an all-time high. The 2018 Rookie of the Year seems to be everyone’s pick to be the next QB to ascend to elite status and he’s now a top-6 contender to win the 2019 NFL MVP.
2019 NFL MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | +400 |
| Drew Brees | +700 |
| Aaron Rodgers | +800 |
| Andrew Luck | +800 |
| Tom Brady | +1000 |
| Baker Mayfield | +1400 |
| Russell Wilson | +1600 |
| Carson Wentz | +2000 |
| Philip Rivers | +2200 |
| Deshaun Watson | +2500 |
| Matt Ryan | +2800 |
*Odds taken 05/31/19
His NFL MVP odds are shorter than some of the biggest names in football, but as well as he played down the stretch in 2018, it’s time to wonder if the hype has gone too far.
Pump the Brakes on Baker
Mayfield’s short odds are not without merit. Over the final six games of last season, he posted a 115.2 passer rating and a .833 winning percentage, which were both higher than Patrick Mahomes’ numbers in those categories over the entire season.
Baker Mayfield. Still very good. pic.twitter.com/hviBPQ5BRm
— Going Deep (@goingdeep) May 29, 2019
He threw at least two touchdowns in nine of his 13 starts and now has the luxury of throwing to a top tier wide receiver in Odell Beckham, something the Browns were sorely missing last year.
OBJ bout to go OFF 🔥 @obj pic.twitter.com/NTj1loiOP6
— Overtime (@overtime) May 29, 2019
The problem with his price is that he only has a small sample size of success, while the other big names below have been producing at an elite level for a long time. Everyone is in a hurry to bet Browns’ futures these days, but they’re forgetting about the glaring weakness on their offensive line.
SACK.
The Ravens get to QB Baker Mayfield for the fifth time today. pic.twitter.com/5ZgrIG61fT
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 7, 2018
Cleveland traded its best offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler to the Giants and their two starting tackles, Chris Hubbard and Greg Robinson, struggled mightily last season. Mayfield was sacked five times in a game on three separate occasions and without an upgrade in pass protection, he’ll have little chance to put up the type of numbers it takes to win MVP honors.
Cash in on Carson Wentz
The last time we saw a healthy Carson Wentz in 2017 he was a top MVP contender before tearing his ACL. A back injury derailed his 2018 season, but now fully healthy and armed with an embarrassment of offensive riches, he looks poised to claim the trophy that got away.
QB Carson Wentz will be the #nfl #mvp for the 2019 season. Just wanted to put that out there on this spectacular holiday. You’re welcome. #eagles
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) May 27, 2019
He has one of the best offensive minds calling plays for him, one of the best lines in the league protecting him and the easiest schedule in the NFC according to ESPN’s Mike Clay. As long as he can stay healthy, he has an excellent chance to replicate his 2017 success, that saw him throw for 33 touchdowns and 3,300 yards in less than 13 full games.
Pick: Carson Wentz (+2000)
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
