Jaguars Midseason Awards: MVP, LVP, Offensive Player of the Year & More

The Jacksonville Jaguars are among the worst teams in the NFL at the midpoint of the 2024 season. That said, they have had some impressive individual performances throughout the year. Heck, the Jags don't have a losing record because they're short on talent. They have several playmakers on both sides of the ball. The issue is that they seemingly lack direction, and it's fair to wonder how much better they would be doing if they had better leadership in the place.

Following the Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans, a report surfaced that head coach Doug Pederson had lost the locker room. He was quick to refute it and many of the team's leaders also showed public support for him. On the other hand, the team has looked uninspired and unprepared this season, and that's on Pederson.

Whether the head coach has lost the locker room or not, several players have kept playing at a high level. They're recognized in these Jaguars midseason awards.

Jaguars Most Valuable Player (MVP): Trevor Lawrence, QB

It's hard to find a most valuable player on a team that's 2-7 ahead of Week 16, but Trevor Lawrence gets the nod. Granted, No. 16 has been underwhelming at times and he's yet to live up to the monster contract extension he signed in the offseason. That said, he's done well given the circumstances.

After completing a dreadful 53.2 percent of his throws for 872 yards with four touchdowns and one interception, Lawrence has had a 67.7 percent completion rate for 1,275 yards with seven touchdowns and five picks. Sure, his interception totals could be much better but it doesn't help that his skill-position players have struggled with drops this season.

You could argue that Lawrence has left much to be desired in 2024, and you would be right. Then again, that's true for virtually the whole team and he deserves credit for making the best out of a tumultuous situation.

Jaguars Least Valuable Player (LVP): Arik Armstead, DE

The Jaguars seemed to have built a stout defensive front when they signed Arik Armstead in the offseason. They already had a pair of dominant pass rushers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen but they needed someone on the interior who could bring the heat. Armstead was seemingly that player.

However, the former Oregon Duck raised eyebrows when he started to line up on the edge. At first, it looked like an interesting wrinkle. However, it became a reason for concern when the coaching staff kept deploying him as a pass rusher and not inside, where he's at his best.

Armstead was one of the best interior defensive linemen throughout his career, which is why it was puzzling to see Jacksonville use him on the edge. To nobody's surprise, he's only logged a measly 12 pressures and one sack. That's certainly not the kind of production you expect from a player who got a three-year deal worth $43.5 million in free agency.

Jaguars most improved player (MIP): Tank Bigsby, RB

There could be several candidates for this award but running back Tank Bigsby gets the nod. After all, he had a disappointing rookie campaign. Expected to form a backfield tandem alongside Travis Etienne, the former Auburn Tiger instead struggled in 2023.

Besides averaging a paltry 2.8 yards per carry, Bigsby actively hurt his team last year. Fast forward to 2024, and he's one of Jacksonville's most exciting players to watch. At one point of the season, he was averaging 6.2 yards per tote and has been so good that there's chatter about him becoming the primary back over Etienne.

Jaguars Best Offensive Player at the midpoint of 2024: Brian Thomas Jr., WR

This one is easy. Right off the bat, Brian Thomas Jr. has established himself as the Jaguars' top offensive player. Sure, Evan Engram is still an important piece, and so is Travis Etienne. But neither of them has had the impact the former LSU Tiger has had. In fact, he's the recipient for both the Jaguars offensive player and offensive rookie, and it's not close.

Thomas has a team best 35 receptions for 595 yards with five touchdowns. Moreover, he's given the offense an element of verticality it sorely needed for years. If that wasn't enough, the Louisiana native is on pace to become the first Jags rookie receiver to register 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Hard to argue against that.

Jaguars Best Defensive Player at the midpoint of 2024: Josh Hines-Allen

Even if his sack totals don't show it, Josh Hines-Allen remains one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league. This season, he's faced an increased amount of double teams, but he's still managed to stay productive, registering five sacks, and 32 total pressures, good for the 11th-best in the NFL.

With Hines-Allen taking on double teams more often, Travon Walker has been able to make strides in Year 2. Even if the former Kentucky Wildcat hasn't been nearly as dominant as he was in 2023, he's still making his presence felt in the trenches.

Jaguars Rookie at the Midpoint of 2024: Jarrian Jones, CB

Brian Thomas Jr. is hands down the Jaguars' best offensive rookie but how about on defense? Jarrian Jones would be the pick. The truth is that Jacksonville hasn't gotten much production out of their rookie class apart from Thomas and Jones, but both of them have made an impression on their respective side of the ball.

Expected to be the primary backup behind Tyson Campbell and Ronald Darby, Jones has settled in the slot, where he's enjoyed ample success. The former Florida Seminole had his first NFL interception against the Packers and has routinely fared well. His 89.2 PFF coverage grade of 89.2 in single coverage is the third best in the league. On top of that, his 10.6 passer rating ranks first.

While the secondary has struggled throughout the year, the Jaguars should be thrilled about taking Jones with the 96th pick in this year's draft.

Best play at the midpoint of 2024: Travon Walker's fumble return for a touchdown

Brian Thomas Jr. has reeled in some head-turning catches this season but the best play the Jaguars have made goes to Travon Walker, who showed he might've been a great running back when he scored a defensive touchdown on a scooped fumble in Week 10.

For the season, Walker has 6.5 sacks and is on pace to finish with 10 or more for the second straight year.

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