For the final time before the dreaded offseason, the NFL’s stars not competing in Super Bowl 50 will gather and put their talents on display. Only two players can emerge with the everlasting and unforgettable title of 2016 Pro Bowl MVP.
Dramatics aside, one offensive and one defensive player will earn the award during the all-star event and claim a fancy prize. Winning the MVP is basically a matter of playing time, so the following candidates are most likely to have a large impact in the box score.
6. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The last two Pro Bowl MVPs were quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford topped 300 yards in 2015’s exhibition game, and Nick Foles took home the award after being the only gunslinger to not throw an interception. He also led a go-ahead but ultimately not game-winning drive.
Since the ball is typically spread around skill-position players, it’s a matter of which quarterback receives the most playing time. Jameis Winston is a quiet option but may handle a majority of his Team Irvin’s reps.
Although Russell Wilson will likely start the contest, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s pulled after a few drives. Teddy Bridgewater is an excellent young quarterback, but throwing 25 times isn’t his style.
Winston won’t mind, though. Plus, his receivers include Julio Jones, A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins and Allen Robinson. Team Irvin also has Delanie Walker and Tyler Eifert at tight end.
5. Brent Grimes, CB, Miami Dolphins
If Brent Grimes never appeared in another Pro Bowl, he’d be the answer to a ridiculously strange and awesome trivia question. The Miami Dolphins cornerback snatched an interception in all three previous trips.
Streaks are meant to be broken. But this could be Grimes’ breakthrough game.
Considering the talent at receiver on Team Irvin, the typical reliance on the passing game during the Pro Bowl and combination of Jason Verrett and Marcus Peters — who is a ballhawk and a sleeper MVP — Grimes will probably be targeted often.
Grimes has a history of interceptions. Turning one into a touchdown or grabbing a second would give him a convincing argument and continue his reign as a spectacular trivia-question answer.
4. Eric Berry, S, Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry battled through lymphoma and returned for the 2015 season. The voters couldn’t possibly allow a feel-good story to disrupt the sanctity of the Pro Bowl MVP, right?
The Kansas City Chiefs safety will share the secondary with Mike Adams and Charles Woodson, who is a wild card as it pertains to playing time. Woodson is set to retire from the NFL, so will his contributions be limited to scattered snaps and a late-game deserved standing ovation?
Both Woodson and Berry have intriguing stories that led them to Honolulu, so an interception for either player would likely merit an influx of MVP votes. Berry will probably have more opportunities.
Remember, the Pro Bowl is meant for entertainment purposes. What better way to drive postgame interest on a national level than giving an award to a talented person with a remarkable and often relatable story?
3. Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones, Green and Hopkins are elite receivers. Robinson’s 2015 campaign suggests he’s trending that direction.
The Jacksonville Jaguars standout has a knack for hauling in errant passes, especially down the field. Let’s be careful to not overanalyze the Pro Bowl, but at least on paper, Team Rice’s deep coverage is a weakness.
Robinson tallied a league-best 31 receptions of 20-plus yards, finishing with 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. He made Blake Bortles’ numbers look much better than his ball placement.
Granted, Robinson will need more than a couple long catches to claim MVP honors. The budding star must score a touchdown, but Robinson seems to have the right matchup to make it happen.
2. Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Oakland Raiders
Pro Bowl rules discouraging blitzes make it difficult on defensive linemen to truly stand out, but the last two MVPs were part of the front seven.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (eight tackles, one forced fumble) and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (one interception, one fumble recovery) won the award in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Lavonte David and Sean Lee are strong candidates, but Khalil Mack has that playmaker mentality, too. He notched 15 sacks and forced two fumbles for the Oakland Raiders this season.
Plus, once Wilson exits the game, Mack will chase around a pair of mobile but pocket-oriented passers in Winston and Bridgewater. Aided by earlier tackles, a sack, forced fumble or recovery will provide Mack an MVP case.
1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants
“If you don’t draft me, don’t expect to catch any balls next year,” Eli Manning said — per John Breech of CBS Sports — he told Odell Beckham Jr., who was a captain of Team Rice.
Well, Eli, hold up your end of the bargain. Becham reeled in five passes for 89 yards during the 2015 Pro Bowl. This year, he’ll have a familiar face in Manning, accurate thrower in Derek Carr and strong arm in Tyrod Taylor.
Unlike Robinson, though, Beckham isn’t competing against the same top-tier group of receivers. LSU teammate Jarvis Landry, Amari Cooper and T.Y. Hilton are each excellent, but they’re not Julio Jones.
Win or lose, Beckham will be a leading entertainer on the field. With a handful of catches and a meaningful touchdown, he’ll be a Pro Bowl MVP.