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The second half of the 2024 NFL Season kicks into high gear this afternoon, and as we get a better outlook on this year's playoff picture, I'm here to break down the top performers of the year so far. These awards and All-House teams aren't solely based on stats, but also through film, advanced metrics, direct team impact, and strength of schedule.
Mid-Season Awards
NOTE: These are not predictions, they are my awards for how each player has performed at the halfway point
Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow|QB|Cincinnati Bengals
If not for his team's lackluster defense, Joe Burrow would have a legit argument as an MVP candidate (which he still has in my opinion). He's the sole reason this Bengals team has been competitive this season, and the main reason they may be able to squeeze into the playoffs as the season rolls on.
Most Improved Player: Sam Darnold|QB|Minnesota Vikings
After being labeled as a bust, the former 3rd overall pick has been a beacon for the Vikings franchise. He's played better than he ever has in his career, and it's not just due to scheme. He's layering throws up and down the field, navigating pressure at a high level, and taking shots at the right moments.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jared Verse|EDGE|Los Angeles Rams
I was lower than consensus on Jared Verse coming out of college, as I thought he could only rely on his strength to win reps, but his raw power has been just as effective in the NFL as it was in college. He ranks 7th in the entire NFL with 39 pressures, posting an impressive 18.57% pressure rate, and he's added 16 stops + TFLs and a forced fumble.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Daniels|QB|Washington Commanders
Like clockwork, another guy I'm lower on than consensus is balling out. Although he hasn't played many tough pass defenses, he's still put up great production and has minimized the mistakes he was making in college. He leads all rookies in passing yards and rushing yards, and he's got the Commanders sitting at 7-2 in what many thought was a rebuild year.
Trench Tyrant of the Year: Creed Humphrey|C|Kansas City Chiefs
Creed has been one of the best offensive linemen since entering the league, and with Jason Kelce retired, Creed has a much easier time taking home the Trench Tyrant award. Out of all OL with over 200 snaps played, Creed is 1st in overall blocking (93.6), 2nd in run blocking (92.1), and 5th in pass blocking (87.4). He's allowed just 4 pressures and no sacks, and 53.49% of the Chiefs rush yards have came from his area.
Special Teams Player of the Year: Brandon Aubrey|K|Dallas Cowboys
Aubrey has been uber-reliable once again for the Cowboys. Out of kickers with 15 attempts, he ranks 6th with a 90.9% field goal rate, and he's 9 of 10 from 50+. He's been a shining light on a dim Cowboys season, and looks to be one of the best kickers once again.
Defensive Player of the Year: Aidan Hutchison|DE|Detroit Lions
Hutch was on pace for a truly special season. As of right now, he is currently 4th in pressures with 45 and tied for 4th with 7.5 sacks - all while only playing 5 games. He was on a tear before breaking his leg, and would have easily won DPOY if not for his season ending injury. For what it's worth, Dexter Lawrence II is my current healthy DPOY.
Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry|RB|Baltimore Ravens
It was pretty obvious that Henry was gonna produce more than he has the past few years after going from one of the worst OLs to a top 10 unit, but no one could have seen this coming. He's 1st in total scrimmage yards, rush yards, total TDs, rush TDs, yards after contact, 15+ yard runs, and first downs among all RBs. He's also on pace to rush for over 2,000 yards and 20 TDs, something that's only been done once in NFL history (Terrell Davis in 1998).
Coach of the Year: Dan Quinn|Washington Commanders
Dan Quinn has done an outstanding job with the Commanders this season. This is the best football they've played in quite a while, and he has a team of ragtag dudes giving the rest of the league fits.
Most Valuable Player: Lamar Jackson|QB|Baltimore Ravens
Lamar is having his best season ever. He's been unstoppable through the air and on the ground. He's put up 2,379 passing yards, 20 TDs, a 1.3% turnover worthy play rate, 120.7 passer rating, 90.8 passing grade, and a 91.7 offensive grade, all of which rank in the top 3 for all QBs in the NFL. He's also currently 17th among all players in rushing yards, and he's tied 8th for missed tackles forced. He's been unreal despite some setbacks from his supporting cast.
Photo: Ed Zurga/Associated Press
Mid-Season All-House Team
QB: Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
RB: Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens
WR: Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals
WR: Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings
TE: George Kittle - San Francisco 49ers
Flex: Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
LT: Terron Armstead - Miami Dolphins
LG: Joe Thuney - Kansas City Chiefs
C: Creed Humphrey - Kansas City Chiefs
RG: Trey Smith - Kansas City Chiefs
RT: Penei Sewell - Detroit Lions
Edge: TJ Watt - Pittsburgh Steelers
Edge: Aidan Hutchison - Detroit Lions
IDL: Dexter Lawrence II - New York Giants
IDL: Cameron Heyward - Pittsburgh Steelers
LB: Fred Warner - San Francisco 49ers
LB: Zack Baun - Philadelphia Eagles
CB: Denzel Ward - Cleveland Browns
CB: Jaycee Horn - Carolina Panthers
Safety: Brian Branch - Detroit Lions
Safety: Xavier McKinney - Green Bay Packers
DB: Kerby Joseph - Detroit Lions
K: Brandon Aubrey - Dallas Cowboys
P: AJ Cole - Las Vegas Raiders
LS: Trent Sieg - Dallas Cowboys
KR: KaVontae Turpin - Dallas Cowboys
PR: Kalif Raymond - Detroit Lions
ST: Brenden Schooler - New England Patriots
Mid-Season All-Rookie Team
QB: Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders
RB: Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR: Brian Thomas Jr - Jacksonville Jaguars
WR: Malik Nabers - New York Giants
TE: Brock Bowers - Las Vegas Raiders
Flex: Marvin Harrison Jr - Arizona Cardinals
LT: Taliese Fuaga - New Orleans Saints
LG: Jackson Powers-Johnson - Las Vegas Raiders
C: Zach Frazier - Pittsburgh Steelers
RG: Dominick Puni - San Francisco 49ers
RT: Joe Alt - Los Angeles Chargers
Edge: Jared Verse - Los Angeles Rams
Edge: Laiatu Latu - Indianapolis Colts
IDL: T'Vondre Sweat - Tennessee Titans
IDL: Braden Fiske - Los Angeles Rams
LB: Edgerrin Cooper - Green Bay Packers
LB: Payton Wilson - Pittsburgh Steelers
CB: Quinyon Mitchell - Philadelphia Eagles
CB: Kamari Lassiter - Houston Texans
Safety: Evan Williams - Green Bay Packers
Safety: Malik Mustapha - San Francisco 49ers
DB: Andru Phillips - New York Giants
K: Will Reichard - Minnesota Vikings
P: Ryan Rehkow - Cincinnati Bengals
LS: Hogan Hatten - Detroit Lions
KR: Dee Williams - Seattle Seahawks
PR: Cooper DeJean - Philadelphia Eagles
ST: Winston Reid - Cleveland Browns
Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images
Looking ahead
As the 2024-25 playoff picture develops a bit further, these selections will undoubtedly go through significant changes. In a few weeks, I'll revisit these picks and see how they've shifted after the end of the regular season.
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