Legendary NFL reporter names surprising, non-QB MVP front-runner

Longtime NFL reporter Peter King revealed his top-five MVP candidates through Week 5 on the most recent episode of the "Let's Go!" podcast with co-host Jim Gray.

King's group featured four quarterbacks, but the player who took the top spot as the campaign shifts toward Week 6 is Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry.

King then names signal-callers Jayden Daniels, Sam Darnold, Patrick Mahomes and C.J. Stroud of the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, respectively, as his second through fifth picks.

"I'd put Derrick Henry No. 1 right now on my list, Jim. He's probably not going to be there at the end of the year, but I just think that he has been unbelievable, and in an era where running backs are severely devalued, he isn't devalued," King said. "I'd put Jayden Daniels No. 2. For the Commanders to be 4-1 right now, winning by 28 and 21 the last two weeks, to be, in my opinion, the best team in the NFC East right now, that's a total shock."

The longtime sportswriter did note that the season is still young, and "in a month, none of these five guys could be on the list."

Still, King's placement of "King Henry" at the top is a surprise. The four-time Pro Bowler is having a monster season, leading the NFL in rushing yards (572), first-down runs (30) and "big" rushing plays, defined as at least 20 yards (seven). However, a running back hasn't won regular-season MVP honors since Adrian Peterson accomplished the feat in 2012, and he's the only non-QB to win the award since 2007.

Henry is on pace to shatter his high mark of 17 rushing scores in 2020 and has an outside chance of recording his second 2,000-yard rushing season, but he's never finished better than ninth in the MVP race.

The Alabama product is 30 years old, which is typically when running backs start to slow down. Henry's been electric through five games, but it could be difficult for him to make it last over 17 contests.

Perhaps King's biggest omission in his top five is one of Henry's teammates, quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The reigning MVP (and two-time winner) has been sensational through five games, ranking third in passing touchdowns (nine), fourth in passer rating (107.3), tied for fourth in adjusted quarterback rating (67.1), sixth in yards per pass attempt (8.0) and ninth in passing yards (1,206) with only one interception. Jackson has been just as dangerous on the ground, placing eighth in rushing yards (363).

Both Henry and Jackson have been key in turning around the Ravens' 0-2 start, as they've now won three in a row heading into Week 6 against Daniels' Commanders.