NFL MVP race: 5 players who could dethrone Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes is at it again this season. The defending MVP is averaging 398.3 passing yards per game through three games. He also has 10 touchdowns without an interception. At this pace he would put up 6,373 passing yards and 53 touchdowns, which would smash the single-season passing yards record. Last season Mahomes racked up 5,097 passing yards and 50 touchdowns.

NFL MVP odds

Mahomes is the heavy favorite to win the MVP Award at +160, but it is still early in the season, and there are plenty of candidates in the running. Here are my five value picks to wager against Mahomes.

Daniel Jones +8000

Danny Dimes put up a stellar performance in his first start Sunday against Tampa. The first-round pick put up 336 passing yards, threw two touchdowns and ran for two more. At that pace he's looking at at more than 4,000 passing yards and 56 total touchdowns. It is an unlikely pace to keep, but if Jones can continue to rack up solid numbers and bring this team out of the cellar and into the playoffs, he has to be a serious contender for MVP.

Dak Prescott +1500

The offense in Dallas under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore looks to be one of the best in the NFL. The Cowboys are averaging 32.3 points per game, and Prescott is averaging 306.7 passing yards per game with 10 total touchdowns. Dallas is 3-0 and looks to be the team to beat in the NFC East. The competition will get tougher, but if he continues to put up numbers against better opponents and he can win this division, his MVP chances will increase.

He also loves Wendy's spicy nuggets. That is MVP-caliber stuff right there.

Lamar Jackson +1500

The former Heisman trophy winner just lost a head-to-head matchup against Mahomes last week, but it was in Kansas City and he had a good showing.

Jackson is averaging 287.7 passing yards per game, 57.3 rushing yards and has eight total touchdowns. This pace has Jackson set up to finish the season with 4,603 passing yards, 917 rushing yards and 43 total touchdowns. In comparison to Cam Newton's 2015 MVP season, Jackson will have 800 more passing yards, 300 more rushing yards and only two fewer total touchdowns.

Carson Wentz +1400

Just two seasons ago, Wentz was the clear-cut MVP choice before he went down with a knee injury. Now he is back to full strength and has fought through some injuries to his receivers the past two weeks, yet he still put up strong numbers. If he can have his full arsenal of weapons, Wentz has the ability to put up major numbers and put this team back in the Super Bowl conversation. This would also put himself back into the MVP race.

Tom Brady +700

You can never count out the three-time MVP, even at his spry age of 42 years old. Brady is averaging 303.7 yards per game, with eight total touchdowns. The Patriots are currently the favorites to win the Super Bowl. The best player on the best team in the league is often an MVP contender. I am surprised he is not closer to Mahomes on the odds board.