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

How Jerry Jones' Contract Negotiation Blunders Cost the Cowboys $100 Million
NFL

How Jerry Jones' Contract Negotiation Blunders Cost the Cowboys $100 Million

An in-depth analysis of how Jerry Jones' delayed contract negotiations with key players like Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and CeeDee Lamb have cost the Dallas Cowboys over $100 million.

2025 NFL Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Key Picks and Strategies Revealed
NFL

2025 NFL Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Key Picks and Strategies Revealed

Discover the key picks and strategies from the 2025 NFL Fantasy Football Mock Draft hosted by ESPN Fantasy analysts. Get insights into player selections and draft trends.

Beyoncé's NFL Halftime Show Wins Emmy: A Historic Moment in Sports and Entertainment
NFL

Beyoncé's NFL Halftime Show Wins Emmy: A Historic Moment in Sports and Entertainment

Beyoncé's 2024 NFL Christmas Day halftime performance won an Emmy for outstanding costumes, marking a historic moment in sports and entertainment.

2025 NFL Playoffs: NFC North Dominance and Surprising Contenders
NFL

2025 NFL Playoffs: NFC North Dominance and Surprising Contenders

Explore the 2025 NFL playoff landscape with a focus on NFC North teams and surprising contenders. Get expert betting insights and predictions.

30 Years of Fantasy Football Greatness: From Tom Brady to Brock Purdy
NFL

30 Years of Fantasy Football Greatness: From Tom Brady to Brock Purdy

Celebrate 30 years of ESPN Fantasy Football with a unique retro-dynasty draft featuring legends like Tom Brady and rising stars like Brock Purdy.

Taylor Swift Joins Travis Kelce on 'New Heights' Podcast, Unveils New Album 'The Life of a Showgirl'
NFL

Taylor Swift Joins Travis Kelce on 'New Heights' Podcast, Unveils New Album 'The Life of a Showgirl'

Taylor Swift makes her debut on the Kelce brothers' podcast 'New Heights,' revealing her new album and stirring excitement among fans.

Bucky Irving's Next Move: Can the Buccaneers' Star RB Elevate His Game in 2025?
NFL

Bucky Irving's Next Move: Can the Buccaneers' Star RB Elevate His Game in 2025?

Explore how Bucky Irving plans to build on his breakout rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025, focusing on his growth and team dynamics.

Zach Allen: The Cornerstone of the Denver Broncos' Dominant Defense
NFL

Zach Allen: The Cornerstone of the Denver Broncos' Dominant Defense

Discover how Zach Allen has become the foundation of the Denver Broncos' defense, leading the team with his exceptional performance and dedication.

T.J. Watt's Strategic Shift: Maximizing Defensive Impact by Alternating Pass Rush Sides
NFL

T.J. Watt's Strategic Shift: Maximizing Defensive Impact by Alternating Pass Rush Sides

Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt plans to alternate his pass rush approach to maximize defensive mismatches and enhance team versatility.

Can Matt Eberflus' Run Defense Strategy Elevate the Dallas Cowboys in 2025?
NFL

Can Matt Eberflus' Run Defense Strategy Elevate the Dallas Cowboys in 2025?

Explore how Matt Eberflus' defensive strategies and Mazi Smith's role could transform the Dallas Cowboys' run defense in the 2025 NFL season.

Jon Bernthal's Passion for the Washington Commanders: A Fan's Journey from Morocco to Hollywood
NFL

Jon Bernthal's Passion for the Washington Commanders: A Fan's Journey from Morocco to Hollywood

Actor Jon Bernthal shares his unwavering support for the Washington Commanders, reflecting on his fandom and the team's promising future under Coach Dan Quinn.

NFL Future Power Rankings 2025-2027: Which Teams Are Built to Dominate?
NFL

NFL Future Power Rankings 2025-2027: Which Teams Are Built to Dominate?

Explore the NFL Future Power Rankings for 2025-2027, analyzing which teams are best positioned for long-term success in the league.

Jonathan Greenard: The Unstoppable Force in Minnesota Vikings' Training Camp
NFL

Jonathan Greenard: The Unstoppable Force in Minnesota Vikings' Training Camp

Jonathan Greenard continues to dominate at the Minnesota Vikings' training camp, showcasing his relentless drive and skill improvements for the upcoming NFL season.

How Chase Brown and the Bengals Running Backs Are Revolutionizing the Pass-Heavy Offense in 2025
NFL

How Chase Brown and the Bengals Running Backs Are Revolutionizing the Pass-Heavy Offense in 2025

Discover how Chase Brown and the Bengals' running backs are enhancing their pass-heavy offense, supporting Joe Burrow, and aiming for a playoff return in the 2025 NFL season.

Top NFL Quarterbacks Ranked by Key Skills: Arm Strength, Accuracy, and More
NFL

Top NFL Quarterbacks Ranked by Key Skills: Arm Strength, Accuracy, and More

Dan Orlovsky ranks the top NFL quarterbacks in seven key skill areas, including arm strength, accuracy, and rushing ability, highlighting the best performers for the 2025 season.

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.