Russell Wilson’s MVP Odds Fade as WR Injuries Pile Up; Is There Value in Him at 35-1?

• Russell Wilson was listed at +2000 a month ago
• David Moore among key receivers to open regular season on IR
• Matt Ryan offers more value at +2500 underdog

Seattle Seahawks pass catchers are dropping by the minute and so too are Russell Wilson’s NFL MVP odds.

David Moore is the latest Seahawk to suffer an injury as the team’s top receiver is expected to miss Week 1 after hurting his shoulder in training camp.

Online sportsbooks listed Wilson as a +2000 favorite month ago, but the latest injuries to Moore and other key members of the Seahawks’ receiving corps has seen the quarterback’s MVP odds slip to +3500.

2019-20 NFL Super Bowl Odds

Odds taken on 08/26/2019.

Not only will Wilson be without one of his top targets in Moore, but to make matters even worse, tight end Ed Dickson is also expected to miss the first two weeks as he recovers from a knee injury. That leaves tight ends Nick Vannett and Will Dissly vying for more targets at the position.

Game Day! pic.twitter.com/9EcHA4xhyb

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) August 24, 2019

Rookie receiver DK Metcalf, who is expected to have an increased role in Pete Carroll’s offense, is listed as week-to-week.

That doesn’t leave Wilson with a whole lot to work with — aside from Tyler Lockett — as the regular season approaches. Lockett is coming off a career season with 965 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Russell Wilson passing to a running back how exciting!!! pic.twitter.com/lvpemB2Mee

— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) August 25, 2019

The pressure will be on Wilson to deliver, especially after signing a contract that made him the highest paid player in terms of annual average salary.

Last Six MVP Winners Quarterbacks

The last six NFL MVP winners have been quarterbacks — five of which recorded 4,300 or more passing yards in their respective winning seasons. Wilson has only broke the 4,000-yard mark twice in his seven-year career and it’s unlikely he’ll do so again with this current supporting cast heading into the 2019 NFL season.

Wilson’s top season was 2016, when he passed for 4,219 yards and a career-best 11 touchdowns.

Wilson helped guide the Seahawks to a Super Bowl in 2014 and he’s been named to the NFC Pro Bowl team six times during his career. However, an NFL MVP is still missing from Wilson’s Hall of Fame-worthy resume.

While Wilson is still considered to be a top ten NFL quarterback, it’s highly unlikely that the 30-year-old pivot will be in contention for MVP honors this season.

Matt Ryan Intriguing Longshot At +2500

Matt Ryan was among the best quarterbacks in 2018, finishing third in passing yards (4,924) and touchdowns (35). A lot of that success can be attributed to passing to Julio Jones, who coincidentally also led the NFL in receiving yards a year ago.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback opened at +2800 but his NFL MVP odds were shortened to +2500 by mid-summer — a price that still stands as of today. However, Ryan has been in this position before. Flashback to 2016 when Ryan led the Falcons to an 11-5 record and an appearance in Super Bowl LI.

Matt Ryan to @FreakMagic2 for 24 yards! pic.twitter.com/ZCp7eI80DN

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 22, 2019

That season, Ryan threw for 4,944 yards with 38 touchdowns — not far off from his impressive 2018 stats — en route to winning the NFL MVP award.

For a safer pick that still has a solid payout, consider putting your money on Patrick Mahomes. No player has won back-to-back MVP awards since Peyton Manning accomplished the feat in 2008 and 2009.

However, if Mahomes can put up similar numbers to 2018 — when the sophomore QB passed for 5,097 yards and 50 TDs — it’ll be an MVP lock for the Chiefs pivot once again.