If anyone would like any context for what’s to come, https://x.com/emmanuelacho/status/1729547274429075581?s=46&t=5QOwMNyHv2_jBwVeAPneag is a good place to start.
While I agree with the “value” of Trent Williams to the Niners, his unofficial MVP ballot list is flawed. The definition of “value” here isn’t applied universally across the top 5. Going by his definition wrt to Trent Williams (the obvious odd one from his list):
- Hurts’ unique athletic build unlocks a further down for the Eagles offence in which they have a lesser turnover risk on 4th and short due to his ability to make the QB Sneak absolutely unstoppable. Apart from that he’s easily a top 5 QB so his “value” there is quite face up. However, how much importance are we giving to this unique ability and discounting the strength of other assets on that offence aka OLine and his receivers
- Mahomes’ talent as a QB can never be fully understood because he makes the impossible possible but in my opinion he’s overrated here. Remove him from that Chiefs offence and with certain I can say that they’re closer to .500 than 8-3. However, he is unanimously the best player in the league so him playing below his usual standards hurts his stock.
- The wildest shout on here. Tua’s a good QB. But if you were to pick any player to represent the effectiveness and dynamism of that Dolphins offence? It’s certainly going to be Tyreek Hill with his inhuman speed. In fact, the ability of the Dolphins offence actually diminishes Tua’s stock. Hill has helped Tua look better, not the other way around.
- Lamar Jackson’s maturity this season has catapulted him into the MVP race. A QB who formerly used to take off when plays break down is now posting career highs in passing completion rates. He’s understanding of the next best passing option when his main option is unavailable and the ability to find that option has made him an undeniable horse in the MVP race. #5 is really disrespectful imo Jackson is the best dual threat QB in the league.
- How does one make an MVP list for this season and leave out CMC? It’s just baffling. Kyle Shanahan has been given too much credit for CMC’s success imo. Yes, undeniably Shanahan’s run game is elite and gets the best out of his RBs. But if the system was the key reason behind the Niners successes, why sacrifice so much to acquire one of the biggest talents at RB in the league? CMC and the Niners run game is a match made in heaven. While this quote is true, it often comes at a detriment to CMC’s stock. The disparity between CMC and the rest of the RBs is not just due to system. It’s also his own prowess as a high IQ runner and a good pass catcher to add.
Ultimately, what Acho is trying to do here is to be novel, which will show in the interactions he gets from the tweet, benefiting him and FS1. If he’s going off his definition of “value”, CJ Stroud should be the only horse in the race. The competency he has shown as a rookie QB while having OLine struggles puts him at the top of the rankings in Acho’s notion of “value”. The Niners may have lost two games in Williams’s absence. But Houston were projected 3-5 wins overall even with CJ Stroud. Furthermore, leaving out Dak when he’s easily the main reason why the Cowboys are where they’re at is a smart play because America’s team is a good fanbase to target. My main horses for the MVP are CMC, Lamar Jackson, Tyreek Hill while Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott are just behind the front runners in the race. With key matchups for all MVP options still yet to come, it’s impossible to call it until the wire.
If any of y’all had spent time to read my opinions, thank you and I would love to hear your opinions in the comments as well.