NFL Midseason Awards 2024
Here are my picks for who has stood out in the first half of the 2024 season.
Last week, I reviewed where things stood with my NFL preseason picks. This week, I'm going to look at my choices for NFL midseason awards.
Not every award I handed out is one that gets handed out during the NFL awards night. For one thing, I named my offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator of the year, plus I recognized the most improved player (a player who wasn't injured in previous seasons but has made strides in the right direction) alongside the comeback player of the year (a player who missed most of the previous season to injury and is playing well).
I'm sure there will be disagreement with my picks and, in some cases, I acknowledge there are other choices out there. In most cases, even with my pick, I wouldn't be upset if it went to somebody else who is clearly deserving.
Here are my picks for NFL midseason awards.
Offensive coordinator of the year: Kliff Kingsbury, Commanders
Ben Johnson and Todd Monken have done great things this but it's hard not to pick Kingsbury for this recognition. The Commanders have the third-best offense in the NFL per DVOA, in a season in which many expected the Commanders to be rebuilding. I wouldn't be upset if people picked Johnson or Monken, but Kingsbury has done great work.
Defensive coordinator of the year: Brian Flores, Vikings
Vance Joseph and Steve Spagnuolo have been terrific this season but it's Flores who has turned the Vikings into an historically dominant unit. This happened after the Vikings lost a few key players in free agency. Flores has three different players with five sacks apiece and none of them would be considered elite (Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Patrick Jones II). Again, I wouldn’t be upset with anyone picking Joseph or Spagnuolo, but Flores is my choice here.
Head coach of the year: Dan Campbell, Lions
I considered the likes of Andy Reid (undefeated after seven weeks), Dan Quinn (Commanders leading the division when not expected), Matt LaFleur (finding ways to wins even without Jordan Love) and Mike Tomlin (leading division even with questions at QB going into the season). However, Campbell edged them all out, given that the Lions may be the most complete team in the NFL. We've still got half the season left to play but the Lions sure look like the favorite to win the NFC championship.
Most improved player: Sam Darnold, Vikings
I did look at a few other players who have made strides this year but went back to Darnold. Though I'm not convinced he's on the right track for good, there's no denying he's playing better than he has since entering the NFL. I do think a lot of the credit goes to Kevin O'Connell for coaching him up, plus it doesn't hurt having the best receiver in the NFL in Justin Jefferson. Still, let's give Darnold some credit for what he's done.
Comeback of the Year: Kirk Cousins, Falcons
If I told you before the season that the leading candidate here would be a quarterback who tore his Achilles tendon last year, you would probably say you aren't surprised. However, I would imagine you would not expect that QB would be named Kirk Cousins. Yet here we are, with a certain Jets QB struggling while Cousins is playing well and the Falcons might claim the NFC South.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jared Verse, Rams
Verse is running away with the award at this point. He has 32 pressures on 167 pass rushing opportunities. While he has just 2.5 sacks, his ability to create pressure is what has kept the Rams in multiple games. Verse also has nine hurries, nine knockdowns and 12 quarterback hits.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Daniels, Commanders
I do think Caleb Williams is getting overlooked but Daniels isn't having the better season simply because the Commanders have more wins than the Bears. Daniels has a better completion percentage and fewer interceptions, plus he has four rushing touchdowns. I think Williams will have a fine NFL career but, right now, Daniels is the leading choice for this honor.
Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Surtain II, Broncos
While there are a few individuals doing great things such as Dexter Lawrence (sacks leader), Denzel Ward (passes defensed leader) and Xavier McKinney (interceptions leader), the Broncos have a top defense and Surtain is one of the reasons why. He doesn't get targeted as much as other cornerbacks, so he doesn't get as many opportunities, but he has six pass break-ups and three interceptions to his credit. I'll take the player who makes it possible for his teammates to rack up stats.
Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry, Ravens
I keep wondering when Henry will finally hit the wall, but Henry keeps proving me wrong. At age 30, he's already halfway to his carries total of 280 in 2023 (he has 145 through eight games) and leads the league in yards rushing and rushing TDs, all while averaging a whopping 6.5 yards per carry. This is not just the season that Henry proved he has a lot left in the tank, but he proved that he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Most Valuable Player: Josh Allen, Bills
A quarterback will get the award and there are plenty of QBs in the conversation, such as Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Jordan Love and even Jared Goff. But I looked for a QB on a team on which the offense is the best part of the team and is currently holding a division lead. That's Allen, who has been able to keep getting results even while lacking a true playmaker at wide receiver. I wouldn't complain if Jackson or Mahomes got the award, but Allen is my choice.