The 10 Best NFL Players of 2024

The NFL's top talents in 2024 showcase unprecedented skill and dominance. Patrick Mahomes leads the pack with his 6,391 total yards and 39 touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson's MVP-caliber play has positioned the Ravens at the AFC's summit. Defensive monster Myles Garrett's 7 sacks in just 9 games exemplifies elite disruption, as Christian McCaffrey continues to redefine the running back position. Tyreek Hill's record-breaking receiving performance, CeeDee Lamb's emergence, Nick Bosa's pass-rushing prowess, Fred Warner's linebacker excellence, and T.J. Watt's consistent pressure round out an exceptional group. Each player's journey reveals fascinating details about their impact on the modern game.

Key Takeaways

• Patrick Mahomes continues elite quarterback play with 6,391 total yards and 39 touchdowns in 25 games since 2023.
• Christian McCaffrey dominates as dual-threat running back, amassing 21 total touchdowns and earning Offensive Player of the Year honors.
• Tyreek Hill leads NFL receivers with 1,799 yards in 2023, setting records for games with 150+ receiving yards and touchdowns.
• Myles Garrett impacts defensive play with 7 sacks and 21 solo tackles in just 9 games of 2024.
• CeeDee Lamb emerges as elite receiver with career-best 135 catches, 1,749 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 2023.

Patrick Mahomes Leads the Pack

The Kansas City Chiefs' powerhouse Patrick Mahomes continues to dominate the NFL landscape in 2024, boasting impressive numbers that solidify his position as the league's premier quarterback. Since 2023, he's amassed 6,391 total yards while maintaining a stellar 68% completion rate. His performance remains consistent, showcasing 39 touchdowns across 25 games.

In his most recent outings, Mahomes has proven particularly effective, completing 21 of 29 passes against the Bengals for 245 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per throw. His 2,404 passing yards this season demonstrate his continued excellence as the Chiefs' offensive leader. His mastery at Arrowhead Stadium shines through with a 71.9% completion rate at his home field.

His career statistics tell an even more compelling story, with 28,424 yards and 219 touchdowns across 96 games. Despite a slight dip in his 2024 passer rating to 90.3, he's improved his completion percentage to 69.5%, demonstrating his ongoing evolution as an elite quarterback.

Myles Garrett's Defensive Dominance

Defensive powerhouse Myles Garrett has terrorized NFL offenses throughout 2024, already racking up 7 sacks and 21 solo tackles in just 9 games.

His dominance was on full display in Week 3 against the Titans, where he recorded 3.5 sacks and 5 tackles, followed by another stellar performance in Week 7 with 9 tackles and 2 sacks against the Colts.

Coming off back-to-back 16-sack seasons, Garrett's consistency has been remarkable throughout his career, averaging nearly a sack per game since 2020.

He's already added 10 tackles for loss and 46 sack yards to his impressive career totals of 80 sacks and 513 sack yards. Since his NFL debut in 2017, Garrett has established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers.

With 2 forced fumbles in 2024, he's maintaining his reputation as one of the league's most disruptive defensive forces, building on his previous season's success of 14 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.

Tyreek Hill's Record-Breaking Season

While Myles Garrett dominated on defense, Miami's Tyreek Hill blazed his own path on offense throughout 2023, shattering records and setting new benchmarks for NFL receivers.

Hill's 1,799 receiving yards marked a career high and led the NFL, while he also set a new record for most games with 150+ receiving yards and a touchdown in a single season.

Hill's elite playmaking abilities and game-breaking speed have made him the league's top-ranked receiver according to Pro Football Focus. With Calvin Johnson's record of 1,964 yards in his sights, Hill was on an incredible pace for 2,046 receiving yards.

Alongside Jaylen Waddle, he nearly broke the duo receiving record, falling just short of the 1995 mark set by Herman Moore and Brett Perriman.

Though he aimed for 2,000 yards, Hill's 2023 performance solidified his status as one of the NFL's elite receivers.

His 2024 campaign started strong but faced challenges after Tua Tagovailoa's injury, highlighting the quarterback's vital role in Hill's success.

Lamar Jackson's MVP Journey

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's quest for a third MVP trophy has electrified the 2024 NFL season.

After securing his second MVP award in 2023-24, leading Baltimore to the AFC's top seed, Jackson entered 2024 as the betting favorite with +110 odds, implying a 47.6% chance of winning.

His journey hasn't been without challenges.

The Ravens have shown incredible offensive prowess with 0.19 EPA per play this season.

While his five-touchdown performance against the Bucs in Week 7 strengthened his MVP case, a subsequent loss to the Browns affected his standing.

His current odds of +200 make him second in the race for the prestigious award.

Josh Allen has since overtaken him in the odds race after Week 11.

If Jackson succeeds in claiming the award, he'll join an elite group of players with three or more MVPs, a remarkable achievement considering quarterbacks have dominated the honor for the past decade.

McCaffrey's Dual-Threat Excellence

San Francisco 49ers' Christian McCaffrey has emerged as the NFL's premier dual-threat running back in 2024, building on his remarkable 2023 season where he amassed 2,023 combined yards.

His versatility shone through with 21 total touchdowns, including 14 rushing and 7 receiving scores, earning him AP Offensive Player of the Year honors. McCaffrey's success follows in the footsteps of his father Ed McCaffrey's NFL legacy.

Throughout his 91-game career spanning six seasons, McCaffrey has consistently demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities, accumulating 6,185 rushing yards and 4,320 receiving yards.

His impressive 2023 campaign featured 5.4 yards per carry and 91.2 rushing yards per game, while his receiving skills produced 67 catches for 564 yards. In his recent game against Tampa Bay, he managed to maintain a respectable 3.0 yards per carry despite facing tough defensive pressure.

Since joining the 49ers in 2022, he's maintained his elite performance level, proving himself as one of the NFL's most dynamic offensive weapons.

Chris Jones Anchors Defense

At the heart of Kansas City's formidable defense stands Chris Jones, whose dominance has helped the Chiefs rank third in the league by allowing just 83.9 rushing yards per game. His impact forces opponents into passing situations, with teams running the ball only 39.65% of the time against the Chiefs' stalwart defense. The defense has proven exceptionally stingy, allowing only 3.7 yards per carry.

Jones's value is reflected in his recent five-year, $158.75 million contract extension, which includes $101 million guaranteed. His career numbers tell the story: 76.5 sacks, 276 tackles, and 13 forced fumbles. Off the field, Jones has shown his playful side, declaring plans to devour 50 wings at Bar-Bill Tavern before the Bills game.

He's been instrumental in securing three Super Bowl victories for Kansas City, earning five Pro Bowl selections and two First-team All-Pro honors along the way.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo credits Jones's presence for elevating the entire defense, as his ability to draw double teams creates opportunities for his teammates.

CeeDee Lamb's Breakout Year

Dallas Cowboys' star receiver CeeDee Lamb has transformed into one of the NFL's elite playmakers, posting career-high numbers with 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023.

His recent four-year, $136 million contract extension solidifies his future with the Cowboys. His consistency and versatility have made him Dak Prescott's most reliable target, averaging 10.4 targets per game in 2024. His career touchdown total of 36 demonstrates his consistent ability to find the end zone.

Lamb's impact extends beyond just receiving, as he's contributed 289 rushing yards and two touchdowns over his 61-game career. His performance against San Francisco showcased his big-play ability, hauling in 13 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

Since entering the league, Lamb has accumulated 4,578 receiving yards while maintaining an impressive 13.1 yards per reception average.

His dynamic playmaking ability was on full display during the 2023 playoffs, where he recorded 110 yards in the wild-card game.

Nick Bosa's Pass Rush Power

Nick Bosa's dominance as a pass rusher continues to evolve in 2024, with 4.5 sacks and 28 combined tackles through his first eight games.

Against key opponents including SEA, DAL, and ARI, Bosa has maintained an average of 2.4 tackles per game, demonstrating his consistent defensive presence.

ESPN's metrics show Bosa excelling with a pass rush win rate of 24% when beating blocks within 2.5 seconds.

He's showcased remarkable efficiency, recording nine pressures in Week 4 alone, nearly matching his total from the first three weeks combined. His pass rush speed has been exceptional, averaging a 0.51-second get-off in Week 4 – the fastest by any defender in seven seasons.

The addition of Leonard Floyd has reduced Bosa's double teams, allowing him to rank 8th in edge pass rush win rate.

His impact extends beyond sacks, with one interception returned for 30 yards and a forced fumble this season.

Given his consistency of 15 sacks in 25 games since 2023, Bosa's production is likely to surge in the season's latter half.

Fred Warner Controls Middle

Fred Warner's dominance in 2024 has solidified his status as the NFL's premier middle linebacker, with his Week 4 pick-six against New England highlighting his playmaking abilities.

He's ranked first among NFL linebackers by FOX Sports and has become the first player in 49ers history to achieve both 10+ sacks and 10+ interceptions in his career.

Warner's exceptional football IQ and athleticism allow him to excel in all facets of defense, whether it's plugging holes against the run, disrupting passes in coverage, or blitzing quarterbacks. Since entering the league in 2018, he has accumulated 765 career tackles, demonstrating his consistent excellence.

His impact on the 49ers' elite defense is undeniable, as evidenced by his impressive 2023 stats: 132 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles.

As a three-time All-Pro, he continues to set the standard for modern NFL linebackers.

His game-changing plays have been pivotal in the team's success, including a leaping interception against Darnold that showcased his remarkable defensive instincts.

T.J. Watt's Sack Master

Throughout the 2024 season, T.J. Watt continued to cement his legacy as one of the NFL's premier defensive players. The Pittsburgh Steelers' star added 6.5 sacks to his impressive career total of 96.5, demonstrating his consistent ability to pressure quarterbacks. His outstanding performance follows his NFL-leading 22.5 sacks in 2021. His 33 total tackles, including 24 solo stops, showcased his defensive versatility.

Watt's impact was particularly evident in key matchups, recording eight tackles against the Cowboys and two sacks versus the Giants. His knack for creating turnovers shined through with four forced fumbles, including a dominant performance against the Raiders where he forced two fumbles. In crucial victories, Watt helped the team achieve a .800 win percentage during the season.

Having started all 104 games of his career, Watt's durability matches his productivity. His presence continues to anchor the Steelers' defense, maintaining his reputation as one of the league's most feared pass rushers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Injuries Impact Player Rankings Throughout the Season?

Injuries greatly impact player rankings throughout the season, as they often lead to decreased performance metrics and missed games.

Players typically see a 15% drop in their stats when returning from injuries, affecting their overall standing. They'll face immediate ranking drops for season-ending injuries, while shorter-term injuries can result in temporary fluctuations.

A player's injury history also influences their preseason rankings, as teams consider the risk of recurrence.

What Metrics Are Used to Compare Players Across Different Positions?

While it's tempting to think players can't be compared across positions, advanced metrics bridge this gap effectively.

Value Over Replacement Player (VORP) measures each player's contribution above a baseline substitute, while Win Shares quantify direct impact on team success.

Position-specific efficiency ratings, like Pass Rush Win Rate for defenders and Yards Per Route Run for receivers, create standardized comparisons.

Pro Football Focus's universal grading system also normalizes performance across all positions.

How Much Do Playoff Performances Affect Overall Player Rankings?

Playoff performances greatly impact player rankings, with postseason success often carrying more weight than regular season achievements.

Players who excel in high-stakes games can jump markedly in rankings, as seen when quarterbacks lead their teams to Super Bowl victories or receivers post impressive playoff stats.

The ability to perform under pressure and contribute to team success in elimination games becomes an essential factor in evaluating a player's overall ranking.

Why Do Some Players Drop Significantly in Rankings Despite Consistent Stats?

Like waves in an ocean, player rankings ebb and flow despite statistical consistency.

Players can drop considerably in rankings when others experience breakthrough seasons that overshadow steady performances. The NFL's emphasis on recent achievements means a player's consistent stats might pale in comparison to newcomers' spectacular seasons.

Team performance, media attention, and postseason success also heavily influence rankings, even when individual statistics remain stable.

Does a Team's Market Size Influence a Player's Ranking Placement?

A team's market size doesn't greatly influence a player's ranking placement in the NFL.

Performance metrics, individual achievements, and on-field impact drive rankings regardless of location.

Players from smaller markets like Baltimore's Lamar Jackson and Cleveland's Myles Garrett consistently rank alongside stars from larger markets.

The NFL's structure promotes competitive balance, ensuring that exceptional talent receives recognition whether they're playing in New York or Green Bay.