Who is the one player every team couldn't afford to lose? NFL Nation reporters look beyond the quarterback and select 32 most valuable players at the season's halfway point.
AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Running back LeSean McCoy
I wouldn't call McCoy the Bills' best player so far this season -- he's averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, the lowest of his career -- but he is their most indispensable player, if they want to compete for a playoff spot. McCoy's backup, Mike Tolbert, is averaging 3.8 yards per carry but would be miscast in a lead role in the backfield. For a team that gains 38.5 percent of its yards through running, fifth most in the NFL, the Bills would have to reinvent their offense if McCoy went down. -- Mike Rodak
Miami Dolphins
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh
The five-time Pro Bowler is having his best season in Miami. His impact on the Dolphins' run defense has helped improve this group from 30th last year to top-10 this season. Suh also improved his leadership and is raising the level of play among his teammates. -- James Walker
New England Patriots
Defensive end Trey Flowers
Flowers has played 91 percent of the defensive snaps, and the depth behind him -- Deatrich Wise Jr. and Cassius Marsh -- is so thin and inexperienced, it probably means retired veteran Rob Ninkovich is on the team's speed dial at a moment's notice. Flowers is tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks, is the player most likely to produce pressure in got-to-have-it situations and also helps set the edge consistently against the run. Without the 2015 fourth-round draft choice from Arkansas, the Patriots would be in trouble. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets
Linebacker Demario Davis
Playing the "Mike" position, manned by David Harris for a decade, Davis has emerged as the emotional leader on defense. He's also productive, as he leads the team in tackles (92) and sacks (3.5). The 28-year-old is having the best year of his career, the result of a new diet and conditioning approach in the offseason. Good timing, because he'll be a free agent. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Running back Alex Collins
Yes, a player who was cut by the Seahawks and wasn't on Baltimore's season-opening roster has turned into the player the Ravens could least afford to lose (beside Joe Flacco). With his aggressive running style and ability to cut back, Collins is the most consistent playmaker on the Ravens. He is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and has produced 10 runs of 15 yards or more (second only to Kareem Hunt). Collins has been the best player on what has been one of the worst offenses in the NFL. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals
Wide receiver A.J. Green
Why? That became clear after Green was ejected during the first half of a loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. The Bengals' offense, which has already struggled this season, couldn't do anything without Green. Coach Marvin Lewis has called him the best player on the team, and when he's not on the field, the difference is obvious. -- Katherine Terrell
Cleveland Browns
Running back Duke Johnson
In a bleak first half of the season for a bad team, Johnson leads the team in receptions with 36 and is averaging 5.2 yards as the backup running back. His three touchdowns running and receiving are tied for the team high. Johnson is Cleveland's best skill player so far this season. -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers
Linebacker Ryan Shazier
Antonio Brown remains on a record pace, and Le'Veon Bell is controlling the pace on offense once again. But the defense has taken a star turn for the Steelers, and Shazier has been a catalyst. Shazier is the NFL's only player with at least 60 tackles (64), at least five passes defended (eight) and at least two interceptions (two). Add two forced fumbles and Shazier is capitalizing on his first healthy season. -- Jeremy Fowler
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins
After watching the offense without rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson in Sunday's loss to the Colts, it's clear that if the Texans want to win going forward, Tom Savage will have to rely heavily on Hopkins. Yes, the Texans have receiver Will Fuller V, but Savage targeted Hopkins 16 times on Sunday -- twice what he targeted any other player -- and threw to him for the team's lone offensive touchdown in the game. -- Sarah Barshop
Indianapolis Colts
Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton
The Colts have basically gotten zero production from receivers not named Hilton this season. He has 702 receiving yards on the season. The other receivers on the roster -- Donte Moncrief, Kamar Aiken, Chester Rogers, Quan Bray and Matt Hazel -- have combined for 521 yards this season. The Colts need to hope that Hilton, who is coming off a 175-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Texans, can remain healthy. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars
Defensive end Calais Campbell
The 31-year-old Campbell leads the Jaguars with 11 sacks, which is one shy of the franchise single-season record. It's also a career high for Campbell. He has been just as valuable inside the locker room, helping provide the veteran leadership that has been missing. Campbell has been mentoring defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., who is playing the best football of his career. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans
Safety Kevin Byard
The Titans' second-year star in the making has six interceptions and seven total takeaways through eight games this season. He played a significant role in wins over the Browns and Ravens, games that Tennessee might not have won without him. He has become a vocal leader on the back end, played strong run support and added an overall level of confidence for a secondary that has turned it around over the past four games. Byard has five interceptions in his past two games, which ties an NFL record for interceptions in consecutive games. -- Cameron Wolfe
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Linebacker Von Miller
Even in a four-touchdown loss in Philadelphia, much of the Eagles' plan to protect quarterback Carson Wentz started with where Miller was in the formation. That's the story every week, and while Miller has been frustrated at times by a lack of what he calls "game-changing plays," there is no question that every opponent treats him like what he is: the Broncos' most dominant player. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs
Running back Kareem Hunt
The rookie has added a much-needed dimension to Kansas City's offense, that of a versatile back. That's something the Chiefs have lacked since Jamaal Charles went down with his latest torn ACL early in the 2015 season. Hunt has made plays as a runner and a receiver. He joined tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill to give the Chiefs a dynamic group of skill players that is difficult for opponents to defend. -- Adam Teicher
Los Angeles Chargers
Wide receiver Keenan Allen
The Cal product leads the Chargers in receptions (40) and receiving yards (548), and entering Week 9, he led the NFL in catches for third-down conversions with 17. Allen gives the Chargers a true No. 1 receiver on the perimeter and creates mismatches for the rest of his teammates on offense in the passing game. -- Eric D. Williams
Oakland Raiders
Wide receiver Michael Crabtree
Despite missing one game with a chest injury, Crabtree entered Week 9 leading the Raiders in receiving yards (411), yards per catch (12.5) and touchdowns (6). He also has been an invaluable safety valve for Derek Carr as his most clutch pass-catcher. Still, all six of Crabtree's touchdowns have come at home, signaling a need for Crabtree and the offense to be more, well ... well-rounded. -- Paul Gutierrez
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Running back Ezekiel Elliott
It's difficult to separate Dak Prescott's success from Elliott's, and vice versa, but the Cowboys have relied on the running back heavily. And after a slow start, he has delivered, which is why he's Dallas' non-quarterback MVP so far. A compelling case can be made for Sean Lee -- the Cowboys lost both games without him and allowed 164 rushing yards per game -- as well as DeMarcus Lawrence, who has a career-high 10.5 sacks and has been the war daddy that Jerry Jones has wanted for the front seven. But as coach Jason Garrett likes to say, the running back matters. Elliott has 783 yards rushing on the season, after a slow start, with five rushing touchdowns in his past three games. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants
Tight end Evan Engram
Consider this the choice because of a lack of options right now. Engram is the only Giant who can get into the end zone these days. He has scored in three straight games since Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall were lost for the season. The rookie tight end leads the Giants in yards (412), catches (34) and touchdowns (4) right now. -- Jordan Raanan
Philadelphia Eagles
Right tackle Lane Johnson
Johnson has faced some of the league's best pass-rushers to start the season -- Jason Pierre-Paul, Joey Bosa, Ryan Kerrigan, Justin Houston and, most recently, Denver's Von Miller -- and has more than held his own against each of them. "It's a big confidence booster for me, going against what I think is one of the best defensive players in the league [in Miller]," Johnson said. "I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm happy." Quarterback Carson Wentz has a 12-2 record when Johnson is in there blocking for him. -- Tim McManus
Washington Redskins
Running back Chris Thompson
The Redskins don't have anyone who can do what he does; they have only two other running backs, and neither offers comparable playmaking ability. Plus, Thompson is terrific in protection. He has rushed for a team-best 253 yards and has 453 yards receiving. The Redskins have shown they can win when he doesn't have huge games, but they'd be in major trouble if he got hurt. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Running back Jordan Howard
Howard has rushed for 662 yards in eight games. Last year, Howard became the second-youngest Bears running back to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season when he gained 1,313 yards as a rookie. Howard's 102 yards against New Orleans in Week 8 was his 10th 100-plus-yard career rushing game. You can argue that Howard is even more valuable this year because the Bears have so few weapons in the passing game. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions
Safety Glover Quin
This is Detroit's MVP this season, Matthew Stafford or not. The safety is having one of the best seasons of his career with 34 tackles, five passes defended and three interceptions. He also has forced two fumbles and scored a touchdown. Beyond the statistics, he is one of the few true free safeties in the league -- being able to cover and come into the box when necessary against the run. He's the Lions' emotional defensive leader, as well. Detroit's defense would not be a top-10 unit against the run without him this season, and the Lions' D is the main reason the team is still in the playoff hunt. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers
Wide receiver Davante Adams
With Aaron Rodgers already lost to a broken collarbone, the Packers' passing game has suffered. It would be even more problematic without Adams, who has equaled -- if not surpassed -- Jordy Nelson as the best option and biggest playmaker on the perimeter. Adams has the only touchdown that backup quarterback Brett Hundley has thrown so far in the nearly two games since Rodgers' injury. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings
Wide receiver Adam Thielen
With all the question marks at quarterback and injuries to key offensive playmakers, Thielen was the most consistent threat in the first half of the season. With Dalvin Cook sidelined for the season and Stefon Diggs battling through a groin injury, it's difficult to picture how successful the offense would be without Thielen. The wide receiver is fourth in the NFL with 48 catches and trails only Antonio Brown in receiving yards with 629. Thielen has hauled in some tough catches and seems to always find a way to get open, giving quarterback Case Keenum the confidence that Thielen is going to come down with the ball when he throws in the receiver's direction. -- Courtney Cronin
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Wide receiver Julio Jones
Although he had an uncharacteristic and costly drop in Sunday's loss to the Panthers, Jones remains arguably the most dominant deep threat in the game. He hasn't earned as many opportunities this season as most have become accustomed to seeing, but Jones always makes opposing defensive coordinators think twice. He catches passes in traffic. He's nimble near the sideline. He can take a 5-yard catch and turn it into a 50-yard gain. Through eight games, Jones leads the Falcons with 43 catches for 658 yards, but he has just one touchdown. Expect his touchdown total to increase in the second half of the season, provided he remains healthy. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers
Running back Christian McCaffrey
The first-round pick has become almost as valuable to this offense as quarterback Cam Newton because he plays so many positions (running back, slot receiver, wide receiver, wildcat). He leads the team in receptions, and he's coming off his best game as a runner (60 yards and 15 carries). He also opens up other opportunities for other players when he serves as a decoy. With Jonathan Stewart struggling to be effective as a runner, McCaffrey's value is even greater. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints
Defensive end Cameron Jordan
This is a two-horse race between the veteran Jordan and rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore -- both of whom have even Drew Brees beat. Lattimore's emergence has been the most important reason for the Saints' remarkable turnaround. But that has only further allowed Jordan to show off his dynamic and versatile skill set up front with seven sacks, two forced fumbles, four pass defenses and an interception returned for a touchdown. I'll give the slight edge to Jordan, who should be in the running for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Linebacker Lavonte David
No 2-6 team deserves to have an MVP, but David has had four forced fumbles, the most in the NFL, matching his total from last season. He has done it in just six games, too, thanks to an ankle injury that kept him out for two weeks. His forced fumble that was recovered by T.J. Ward against the Saints on Sunday was one of the only bright spots in a 30-10 loss, the Bucs' fifth straight. David has rebounded, big time, after a lackluster season that was marred by injuries last year. -- Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Cornerback Patrick Peterson
Peterson has been the ultimate safety blanket this season for the Cardinals. It doesn't matter who an opponent's No. 1 receiver is, Peterson takes him one-on-one and, by and large, shuts him down. He has allowed Arizona to not have to worry about him and use the other 10 defenders in ways that most teams can't. -- Josh Weinfuss
Los Angeles Rams
Left tackle Andrew Whitworth
Whitworth might not be directly helping your fantasy team, but the Rams' great offensive resurgence begins with the 35-year-old, who has locked down Jared Goff's blind side and has helped significantly improve L.A.'s entire offensive line. Whitworth's addition makes it possible for Goff to shine as a second-year quarterback, for Todd Gurley to produce like an elite running back again and for the likes of Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp to put up numbers. There's no guy the Rams need healthy more so than Whitworth. -- Alden Gonzalez
San Francisco 49ers
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner
The standard statistics don't jump off the page, but Buckner has had a breakout season that has thrust him into the conversation as one of the league's best interior defenders. Buckner has Pro Football Focus' fifth-highest pass-rushing grade among interior linemen and has been one of its highest-graded defensive players regardless of position for most of the season. He hasn't gotten as many sacks as he would have liked, but he's a consistently dominant presence in the middle of the Niners' line and someone to build around on a team in need of cornerstones. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
Linebacker Bobby Wagner
A case could be made for free safety Earl Thomas or cornerback Richard Sherman, but Wagner gets the nod here after a stellar performance on Sunday that included a sack for a safety, a pass breakup and 10 tackles to extend his team lead. Wagner is an every-down, sideline-to-sideline player and is showing again this season that he's one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL. The Seahawks have former starters as backups to Sherman and Thomas and might be able to withstand losing those players, but they'd be in trouble if they lost Wagner. -- Brady Henderson