By Noah Curitti
The 2024 NFL season is through its first half and its superstars are in full form. This makes it the ideal moment to see how the league’s biggest individual awards are progressing. Though some of the front-runners will find it difficult to keep up their current pace, it is nevertheless worthwhile to acknowledge their spirited efforts at this midway stage.
Here are my choices for the NFL’s individual awards as of right now:
Most Valuable Player: Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
With two MVP awards already under his belt, including last year’s, the 27-year-old is on track to win the trophy again. He is having an incredible 2024 campaign, which has highlighted his versatility as a playmaker. With a 27:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 75.9 quarterback rating, Jackson leads the NFL in passing efficiency.
The Ravens' star quarterback has succeeded in keeping the offence on track while staying in attack mode as a big-play hunter. He is the ideal dual-threat dynamo when you add his 599 running yards and three rushing TDs.
Offensive Player of the Year: Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles' star free agent signing has lived up to expectations as a versatile backfield playmaker. Because Barkley can make big plays both as a runner and a receiver, opponents are forced to constantly adjust their game plans in an attempt to stop him, usually unsuccessfully.
With 10 total touchdowns and 1,392 scrimmage yards, the 27-year-old may win the award with a string of strong performances down the stretch.
Defensive Player of the Year: Xavier McKinney, Safety, Green Bay Packers
Many would assume this award would go to a linebacker such as TJ Watt or Fred Warner but the Packers' big free-agent signee has flourished as a centre fielder in a zone-based scheme under Jeff Hafley's "see ball, get ball" tactic.
With seven interceptions, including five picks in his first five games with Green Bay, McKinney is tied for the league lead. McKinney, the team's designated ballhawk in the defensive backfield, might end up with double-digit picks as the Packers push more opponents into one-dimensional game plans centred around the aerial attack.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, Washington Commanders
There was a real chance that the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft could have competed with Lamar Jackson for MVP. They are very similar players in regard to their dual-threat abilities. Since then, he has come back down to earth but is still playing exceptionally well.
He is currently dominating the Offensive Rookie of the Year award as he has already won eight Rookie of the Week honours. Daniels' absurd output and clutch factor give the impression that he is wise beyond his years and has the ability to take control of the game as a passer or runner when necessary. The Commanders' QB1, who has a high completion percentage and a master's degree in efficiency—68.4 percent completion rate and 97.6 passer rating—may set a new standard for rookie quarterbacks.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jared Verse, Outside Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams
The energetic pass rusher has helped the Rams' defence survive the loss of a three-time Defensive Player of the Year in Aaron Donald. Verse makes the game simpler for his teammates, as shown by his pressure figures—eleven tackles for loss, 14 QB hits, and 4.5 sacks—has proven to be a valuable selection for the Rams.
Comeback Player of the Year: Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
Coming off of a brutal Achilles rupture in Week 8 of the 2023 season and then signing with Atlanta in the offseason, Cousins entered the season with plenty of reason to start slow. However, the 36-year-old has given the Dirty Birds the consistent QB they need to maximize the output of their talented group of playmakers. The veteran is making opponents defend the entire field with his precise passes to Drake London and Kyle Pitts between the numbers and his fast-rhythm throws to Darnell Mooney.
The league may witness the 13-year veteran finish off the season with absurd stats as Cousins establishes himself as the Falcons' franchise quarterback and leads a potent offence that finds its rhythm in the closing minutes.
Coach of the Year: Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
In just one season, Quinn has transformed one of the league's weakest teams into a postseason contender. The Commanders are abruptly becoming a destination franchise due to the competitive mentality that Quinn has established in Washington. The intensity, effort, and performance preached and exemplified by a coach with Super Bowl experience have allowed the Commanders to get the best out of their players.
A full change in culture from new owners, management, coaching, and players have made the Commanders a team with high hopes of going back to the glory days and Quinn has proven to fit that perfectly.
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