2020 NFL MVP odds: New York Giants' Saquon Barkley 'favored' among non-quarterbacks

The NFL has become a pass-happy league, meaning running backs have been hugely devalued. Just look at some of the quality backs still sitting on the free-agent market like former Atlanta Falcon Devonta Freeman, a two-time Pro Bowler. Todd Gurley was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year as recently as 2017 and was released by the Rams (and replaced Freeman in Atlanta).

That running backs aren't as important these days definitely is relevant to betting on the winner of the 2020 MVP Award, with odds just released by William Hill sportsbook. To no surprise, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the +350 favorite to win it for the second time in three seasons, while Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson – who is basically half a running back – is +600 to repeat.

Last season, Jackson became the second-youngest MVP ever behind Jim Brown, who won the first two (1957-58). Jackson received all 50 votes from the media to join Tom Brady (2010) as the only unanimous choices for the award.

Quarterbacks have won the NFL MVP seven straight seasons and 12 of the past 13. Quarterbacks also make up the Top 10 favorites currently at William Hill – odds will change depending on the betting action.

The top non-quarterback is Giants tailback Saquon Barkley at +3000. It's probably going to take a 2,000-yard rushing season for Barkley to win because that's what it took for the last running back to win MVP: Adrian Peterson, then with the Vikings, in 2012. Peterson had 2,097 yards that year in leading Minnesota to the playoffs, eight yards shy of Eric Dickerson's single-season record.

Barkley was amazing in his 2018 rookie year with 1,307 yards and 11 TDs on the ground and 91 catches for 721 yards and four scores. Last season, he was limited by injury/a bad offense, and in 13 games the former Penn State star had 1,003 yards and six TDs on the ground and caught 52 passes for 438 yards and two scores.

The Giants don't exactly look stacked on offense this year, either, as QB Daniel Jones learns on the job so defenses are likely to load up on stopping Barkley again. The last Giant to win MVP was legendary linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1986.