The opening odds for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award favour the West Division as B.C.’s Vernon Adams Jr. and Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros and Brady Oliveira are the top three candidates.

Let’s take a look at the top candidates to win CFL Most Outstanding Player in 2024.

2024 CFL MOP odds

Vernon Adams Jr. (+550)

Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is coming off the best season of his career after he led the CFL in passing yards (4,769) and finished second in passing touchdowns (31) while adding 324 yards on the ground. Adams led B.C. to a 12-6 record before falling to the Blue Bombers in the West Final and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a rematch in 2024. Being a dual threat in the air and on the ground is Adams’ biggest strength, he just needs to stay healthy and avoid turnovers.

Zach Collaros (+650)

Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros won CFL Most Outstanding Player in 2021 and 2022 and came close last season after leading the league with 33 passing touchdowns while ranking second in passing yards (4,252). Collaros is showing no signs of slowing down at 35-years-old and he’ll have arguably the best receiver in the CFL to target in Dalton Schoen. The Bombers are bringing back their top four receivers from last year and they should have the most dangerous offence in the CFL. Collaros is in a prime position to win a third career Most Outstanding Player award.

Brady Oliveira (+850)

Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira is looking to become just the second non-quarterback to win Most Outstanding Player in the last eight seasons. Oliveira dominated last season, leading the CFL in both rushing yards (1,534) and rushing touchdowns (nine). The Winnipeg native cemented himself as the best running back in the league with almost 400 more rushing yards than the next closest player while averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry. That dominance over every other player at his position is what puts Oliveira in a good position to be the first running back to win Most Outstanding Player since fellow Canadian Jon Cornish in 2013.

2024 Most Outstanding Player prediction

It’s tempting to take Adams to win Most Outstanding Player in 2024, but there are a couple of big factors that go against him. Besides Adams’ tendency to throw risky passes that lead to interceptions, the Lions also lost two key receiving targets in Lucky Whitehead and Dominique Rhymes. Adams’ passing numbers are also bound to dip with the addition of star running back William Stanback.

On the flip side, Collaros still has his weapons from last year and I think he’ll lead the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns by a wide margin. Collaros will become the first player since Anthony Calvillo to win a third career Most Outstanding Player award in 2024.

MOP prediction: Zach Collaros (+650)

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