The 10 Most Important NFL Players This Season

The 2022 NFL regular season is in sight, and a number of star players playing to their potential and remaining healthy is vital to their team’s success and playoff aspirations.

Here’s a look at the 10 most important NFL players this season alongside their MVP odds from Caesars Sportsbook.

The 10 Most Important NFL Players This Season

10. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

Even during his breakout 2019 season when McCaffrey led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns, the Panthers went 5-11, which serves as a prime example that it takes more than a one-trick pony to win in the NFL.

While improved quarterback play from first-year Panther Baker Mayfield will be critical, if McCaffrey can return to being a game-breaking rusher and receiver, it’ll give the entire offense a jolt it’s lacked the past two seasons with him missing 23 of 33 games.

Expectations are relatively low for the Panthers, but Mayfield has succeeded as a game manager in the past, and the defense showed glimpses in coordinator Phil Snow’s first season. McCaffrey rebounding from a pair of down seasons could be all it takes for Carolina to surprise in 2022.

MVP Odds: +12500

9. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

When Prescott was limited to just five games during the 2020 campaign, the Cowboys went 6-10. There’s no secret the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback is paramount to Dallas’ success, and he might have to have the best season of his career in 2022.

The offensive line lost stalwart left tackle Tyron Smith following an avulsion fracture to his left knee, and there has been considerable personnel turnover at wide receiver.

Add the likely negative turnover regression on defense after the Cowboys paced the NFL in takeaways last season, and there will be more pressure than ever for Prescott to put points on the board while running an offense with a weaker supporting cast than the six-year veteran has been accustomed to in Big D.

MVP Odds: +1700

8. Aaron Donald, DL, Los Angeles Rams

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time All Pro defensive lineman has never missed a Pro Bowl through eight seasons, and Donald put a personal statement on Los Angeles’ Super Bowl LVI victory with two sacks and three quarterback hits.

Donald has been incredibly durable, suiting up for every game the past four seasons, and has totaled 59 sacks – the second-most in the NFL during that four-year stretch. Additionally, after finishing as PFF’s second-rated interior lineman as a rookie in 2014, Donald has received the highest grade at the position each of the past seven years.

Sure, the Rams feature a roster loaded with stars, but none shine brighter than Donald.

MVP Odds: +15000

7. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts enters his third NFL season with the best skill player supporting cast of his career.

However, he’s still far from a proven passer. Hurts finished 28th out of 33 qualified quarterbacks in completion percentage (61.3) while posting a middling 7.3 yards per attempt last season. He does boast endless potential and plus-rushing ability, but it’ll still need to come to fruition consistently.

It’s also encouraging that the Eagles project to have one of the easiest schedules in the league, so Hurts can still withstand some growing pains and fine-tune without sacking Philly's postseason hopes. 

MVP Odds: +3000

6. Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers

With just two professional starts and only 71 passing attempts at the highest level, Lance’s inexperience is going to be questioned until he proves he’s capable of running a successful NFL offense. 

The 49ers reached the Super Bowl in 2019 and the NFC Conference Championship Game last season with Jimmy Garoppolo under center, so Lance has lofty expectations to fulfill in 2022.

The third overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft is the only question mark on an otherwise star-studded roster, and his plus-arm and tremendous rushing ability will add a dynamic to the San Fran offense that Garoppolo never did. Now, Lance just needs to prove he’s both ready to be an NFL starting quarterback, and better than the incumbent.  

MVP Odds: +3000

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5. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

The Giants have just 19 wins across four seasons since selecting Barkley with the fourth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, and the talented rusher has been limited to just 15 games and a single 100-yard rushing performance across the past two seasons.

Barkley was a game-changing rusher and receiver while pacing the NFL in yards from scrimmage during his rookie season, but not much has gone right since, including sustaining multiple fluke injuries. 

Healthy entering the season, and with first-year head coach Brian Daboll expected to provide a boost for the entire offense, Barkley returning to prominence would be instrumental for the G-Men. 

MVP Odds: +25000

4. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Imagine leading the NFL in passing completion (70.4%) and yards per attempt (8.9) while also taking the most sacks in the league (51). Burrow pulled off the feat during the regular season, then led the Bengals to three consecutive playoff upsets and a Super Bowl appearance.

Cincinnati added three new starters at offensive line through free agency to protect Burrow, and all the impact players at the skill positions are back, so the offense could be even more explosive in 2022.

As long as Burrow is healthy, the Bengals should remain a threat in the AFC, and the offseason additions to the offensive line reinforce just how critical he is to the team.

MVP Odds: +1300

3. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore endured the second-most man games lost due to injury last season, including Jackson (who suited up for just 12 of 17 contests). As a result, the Ravens missed the postseason and finished with their worst record since Jackson was selected 32nd overall in 2018.

There are still multiple Ravens working their way back from injuries, but Jackson is healthy and positioned to return Baltimore to the postseason in 2022.

Often overlooked as a passer, Jackson paced the NFL in passing touchdowns while also rushing for 1,206 yards and seven scores during his 2019 MVP campaign.  

MVP Odds: +2000

2. Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Offensive line injuries are piling up for the Buccaneers, which isn’t promising for the new-look unit protecting the 45-year-old star quarterback. After all, Brady paced the league in passing attempts, yards and touchdowns behind a stout group of blockers last season.

Tampa Bay will likely continue to lean on the vertical attack with Brady returning for a 23rd season. Additionally, the Bucs added veteran wide receivers Julio Jones and Russell Gage to mitigate the loss of tight end Rob Gronkowski.

If the O-line holds up, Brady stands to have another monster season. On the other hand, if Brady misses meaningful time, it will all but squash any championship hopes for Tampa.

MVP Odds: +900

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Even though his odds are short, the back-to-back MVP winner is probably a longshot to win the award for a third consecutive season. Still, that shouldn’t diminish just how important Rodgers is to the Packers.

He might be more vital to their success than ever following the considerable personnel turnover at wide receiver, in addition to starting offensive tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins working their way back from knee injuries and questionable for Week 1.

Still, even entering his age-39 season, it’s next to impossible to poke holes in Rodgers’ game after leading the NFL in quarterback rating and finishing with a top-five PFF quarterback grade the past two seasons.

MVP Odds: +1000

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