Four candidates for the Cowboys 2018 MVP award

ESPN put out an article where they predicted the MVP for all 32 teams in the 2018 season. The Cowboys entry was produced by the outstanding Todd Archer. His choice for MVP:

Running back Ezekiel Elliott

The Cowboys are operating under a Dak Prescott-friendly narrative to help their third-year quarterback, but nobody can help him more than Elliott. The running back led the NFL in rushing as a rookie, when the Cowboys went 13-3 in 2016. He ran for 983 yards in 10 games last season, missing six because of a suspension. Jerry Jones believes Elliott will be freed from the burden of suspension talk and look more like the runner he was in 2016. The Cowboys need that guy to control the tempo of the game and keep the offense in balance. The past two times they made the playoffs, they have been driven by the running game. They need to have that formula again in 2018. -- Todd Archer

Zeke is one of the obvious choices for the Cowboys MVP at the end of this upcoming season. We know Dallas is going to run the ball, they’ve fortified the offensive line with Connor Williams, and Zeke will be free of any dark clouds from the NFL league office. Could he even challenge the 2,000 yard mark?

But he’s not the only guy who should be under consideration. Here are three more candidates we’re predicting will be in the mix for the honor.

Dak Prescott - When it comes to MVPs, your odds-on bet should always start with the quarterback. Everything flows through him on offense, even if your team is going to be a run-heavy unit. The Cowboys have revamped the receiving corps in hopes of better fitting Prescott’s style of play. They are retooling the offensive scheme to incorporate more RPOs and getting Prescott on the move. In short, the Cowboys are creating a new team centered around Prescott, and if he can make it work, he should have fantastic numbers and success at the end of 2018.

Sean Lee - One of the most remarkable things about the Cowboys defense is how it can be a menacing unit when Lee is on the field, then completely fall apart when he is missing. If anything screams MVP, it’s that. Lee is a physical beast with great diagnostic skills and instincts. Even more, he is a coach on the field and in the locker room. Anybody who watched All or Nothing knows all about that. If Lee can stay healthy, and the Dallas defense performs at a high level, he could be the true MVP of the team.

DeMarcus Lawrence - If you can’t get after the opposing quarterback in the NFL, you aren’t going to win on a consistent basis. After some inconsistent seasons since he was drafted because of injury and suspension, Lawrence broke out last year as a pass-rushing force. It looks like he’ll be playing on the franchise tag this season, so he will be motivated to produce so he can get a lucrative long-term extension. The Cowboys look like they should have some help on the defensive line this year, so Lawrence might see more one-on-one opportunities. Could he produce an even bigger year than 2017?

Vote in the poll, and if you think someone else could be the 2018 MVP, hit the comments and state your case.