Who could be the next Matt Ryan, the MVP nobody predicted?

Raise your hand if you predicted Matt Ryan would take home the 2016 NFL MVP award ...

.... Right, anyone who did, you're a liar. While most viewed Ryan as a solid quarterback prior to the start of the last campaign, virtually no one gave him a realistic shot at being crowned the king of the regular season.

Related: Brady, Rodgers, Carr favorites for 2017 NFL MVP

In fact, bookmakers gave Ryan around 90-1 odds to win MVP, and that number dropped to 100-1 in some places once the Atlanta Falcons lost their season opener.

So, with Ryan's longshot odds in mind, here are similarly favored candidates who have the best shot at being named MVP in 2017. A full list of odds (courtesy of Bovada) can be found in the above-linked piece.

Jameis Winston (66-1)

The Buccaneers' additions of wide receiver DeSean Jackson and rookie tight O.J. Howard has many salivating over the Winston-led offense, which already boasts Mike Evans, Doug Martin, and Cameron Brate.

The sky could be the limit for the Bucs, which is why it's surprising to find Winston with such long odds. At 66-1, Tampa Bay's franchise quarterback isn't as overlooked as Ryan was, but he has a real shot at emulating his fellow NFC South resident's success if the offense clicks. Winston does need to rein in his WTF-type passes, but his gunslinger attitude and love of making throws other quarterbacks don't even consider could give him the type of signature plays needed to win MVP.

While Winston's youth and potential mean a breakout wouldn't be as shocking as Ryan's career year at the age of 31, it would still be a surprise to see him leap over the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, though voters have shown a tendency to get bored of the usual quarterback candidates and often look to crown the new generation as soon as possible.

Odell Beckham Jr. (66-1)

There are few bigger stars in the NFL than Beckham, but history is firmly against any wide receiver taking home this particular honor. In fact, zero wideouts have ever been named MVP.

So, why could 2017 be different? First, as mentioned before, Beckham is one of the league's most recognizable faces and lauded talents. So much so, that he's the Giants' most important offensive player, ahead of quarterback Eli Manning. For a receiver to beat out his own quarterback for MVP - working under the assumption that one would struggle to have an elite season without the other doing so as well - the pass-catcher must shine much brighter, and it's easy to envision Beckham being more heavily praised for New York's success.

Secondly, Beckham is a flat-out stud. Yes, Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard will get their targets, but their presence will only help Beckham. New York's one-handed catch wizard is in a tier with only Julio Jones and Antonio Brown, and while those two have arguably hit their peak, Beckham has yet to.

Add in a need to prove himself after an offseason of criticism and with the prospect of a new, potentially record-setting contract extension looming after this year, Beckham is one of the most intriguing longshot candidates.

Marshawn Lynch (100-1)

The NFL is all about storylines, and what narrative could rival Lynch coming out of retirement to return to his hometown Raiders and going Beast Mode on the entire league?

At 31 years old, and coming off a year on the sidelines, there's no guarantee Lynch will be the same dominant force, but he couldn't have landed in a better situation, with Oakland one of the league's most complete teams.

With Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree, and Amari Cooper to worry about, no defense will be able to consistently load up the box against Lynch. And with maybe the NFL's best offensive line ahead of him, the bruiser could produce some elite numbers, even if he isn't quite the same player as during his Seahawks days.

Running backs are the second most common MVP winners, and while Lynch faces stiff competition from other backs like Le'Veon Bell and David Johnson, don't underestimate the impact his storyline could have on voters.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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