The 2024 regular season has reached the halfway mark and with it comes a look at who has been the best players in the NFL to date. While the second half of the season will ultimately define the season, PFF’s Dalton Wasserman took a glance at who performed in the first eight games to earn the NFL’s midseason awards and two Ravens earned trophies.
Most Valuable Player: QB Lamar Jackson
“Jackson has once again raised his game and could be barreling toward his third MVP award. He’s currently on pace to set career-highs in passing grade, turnover-worthy play rate, and yards per attempt while leading players in carries of 10 or more yards,” Wasserman wrote. “Jackson’s 87.8 passing grade is the second-best in the NFL behind Joe Burrow. His dual-threat abilities are a cheat code for a team that is leading the NFL in total offense and offensive grade.”
Elevating his game to another level, Jackson has become a surging quarterback in both facets of the game. In year two under Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson is operating with precision and mastery of the Ravens’ offense. He ranks fifth in passing yards, second in passing touchdowns and has just two interceptions on the year. He pairs that with being ranked No. 14 among all rushers with 501 rushing yards and adds another two touchdowns on the ground. Certifiably, no quarterback is doing what Jackson is doing, and no player ever has if he continues this pace.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Derrick Henry
“Henry has been everything the Ravens could have possibly imagined when they signed him in the offseason. He leads the NFL in rushing by nearly 200 yards,” Wasserman wrote. “His 91.5 rushing grade paces the league as well, and the only player in the league with more explosive runs is, of course, his quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Henry and Jackson have formed one of the most formidable backfield duos the league has ever seen.”
Pairing Henry with the No. 1 rushing offense of 2023 and Jackson was a startling wakeup call for the NFL. Yet, they have yet to ultimately slow him down. Henry’s gashing teams, ripping off breakaway runs and is leading the league in touchdowns. Henry is head-and-shoulders above other offensive playmakers at this point as he’s on pace for another 2,000-yard season and is in striking distance of breaking the NFL rushing record.
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