On Thursday, Feb. 6, NFL Honors (9 p.m. ET on FOX/NFL Network/NFL+) will spotlight the stars of the 2024 NFL season. But what about the players whose key contributions flew under the radar?
Kevin Patra is recognizing one unsung hero from each team, zeroing in on players whose contributions weren't rewarded with a Pro Bowl nod. Some names you know, some are appreciated by only hardcore fans and some are simply surprise difference-makers who don't get the attention they deserve.
Seemingly every TV broadcast of Ravens games down the stretch credited Kyle Hamilton’s move to a more traditional safety role for Baltimore’s defensive turnaround. Few did enough to highlight Washington’s role in that about-face. The improved defensive structure coincided with Washington becoming the full-time starting free safety. From the point when he joined the starting lineup in Week 8 through the Divisional Round, Washington actually finished with a better target EPA (-6.8) and completion percentage over expected (-10.2) than Hamilton (-3.6; -7.4%), per Next Gen Stats. I’m not suggesting Washington is a better player than the two-time Pro Bowler, but the fourth-year pro certainly deserves more flowers for his solid play in helping solidify a leaky defense, especially considering he’d played in only eight total games (with just one start) in his first three seasons.
Dion Dawkins earned Pro Bowl honors, but here is an argument that Brown actually outplayed the veteran blind-side protector. Brown was the Bills’ best run blocker, consistently mauling opponents. The 26-year-old also allowed just 24 pressures and one sack across 495 pass-blocking snaps this season, per Next Gen Stats. His 4.8% pressure rate was the lowest among right tackles (min. 200 pass blocking snaps), and his 0.2 sack percentage is tied for the lowest among all OTs (with Denver's Garett Bolles) in 2024. Josh Allen carried the load this season, but Buffalo's O-line deserves more credit for its stellar play both in the run and pass games.
Cincinnati's defense might have had an off season, but Hilton remained a menace from his slot corner position. He generated seven pressures, per NGS, to go with two batted balls, two pass breakups and an interception. More than anything, Hilton excelled in run defense -- a critical necessity for nickels, given their proximity to the action. Hilton’s 9.3 run stop percentage, 4.7 stuff percentage and -17.9 run stop EPA were all tops among corners (min. 200 snaps). With a new defensive coordinator (Notre Dame's Al Gordon) entering the fray in Cincinnati, it will be interesting to see if the Bengals attempt to retain Hilton, an impending free agent. Either way, his type of aggressive play will be valued on the open market.
The midseason Za’Darius Smith trade opened the door for McGuire, and the second-year pro took advantage, flashing down the stretch. McGuire’s 28 QB pressures wound up second on the club -- eleven of which were quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds). His 6.6 run stop percent was tops among all Browns defensive linemen (min. 200 snaps). After playing in just four games as a rookie, McGuire took advantage of the starter cameo late in the season. He started the final three games, collecting two of his 2.5 sacks on the season and three of his eight tackles for loss. It was the type of season-ending performance that could lead to a larger role in 2025.
First, I’d like to point out that I could probably write an entire Broncos-only Pro Bowl snubs list -- Zach Allen, Garett Bolles, Quinn Meinerz, Brandon Jones, etc. Sometimes entire teams are overlooked -- they’re just not usually playoff teams with Super Bowl-winning coaches. I digress. JFM might not make a PB snub list, but he was critical in the middle of Vance Joseph’s defense. After the Broncos stole Franklin-Myers from New York in exchange for a handful of rose petals, the defensive tackle put up 44 QB pressures, per NGS, and was a stone in the middle. His ability to win immediately discombobulated offenses. He earned 19 quick pressures on the season, tied for second on the club behind only Allen and fourth among all DTs in the NFL.
Playing across from Derek Stingley Jr., Lassiter entered the season knowing he’d see the bulk of targets thrown his way. The rookie stepped into that spotlight and delivered time and time again. Lassiter generated a 58.6 passer rating against as the nearest defender, including playoffs -- second among all CBs with at least 300 coverage snaps, per NGS. The only player better: Stingley. The rookie was tops in the league under those parameters with a 43.7 completion percent allowed and a -12.8 completion percentage over expected. If advanced metrics aren’t your thing, the rookie also had four INTs and 12 passes defended in 16 games. With Lassiter and Stingley, DeMeco Ryans has a lockdown duo at his disposal.
In the 2024 iteration of the Colts' offense, no receiver was going to put up massive numbers. Indianapolis had the sixth-fewest pass attempts (513), fewest completions (289) and eighth-fewest passing yards (3,361). Downs led Indy with 72 catches, but his season was more than just counting stats. When Indy needed a clutch play, it was Downs who delivered, converting a team-high 40 receiving first downs and posting a 53.3 success rate. Shaky quarterback play can color the perception of a receiver, but all Downs does is get open. His 69.75 separation percentage ranked sixth in the NFL for 2024, per Pro Football Focus. If the Colts get better consistency under center in 2025, Downs’ star will rise.
Not much went right this season in Jacksonville outside of flashes from rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but the offense did show some pop when Tank toted the rock. It was evident when watching the Jags that the offense was more effective when it got Bigsby churning. Jacksonville didn’t win much, but in all four of its victories, Tank got double-digit carries. The downhill runner’s 32.1 percent missed tackles forced rate finished fifth in the NFL (min. 150 totes), per PFF. Bigsby has stated his case for more totes and could have a more sizable role under new head coach Liam Coen in 2025.
Perhaps I’m going a bit off the reservation with this one, given that Watson played in just six regular-season games before suffering an ankle injury that wiped out most of his campaign. However, it was in his absence that Watson’s importance to Kansas City's secondary was proven. The Chiefs were at their worst this season when opponents were able to pick on Watson’s replacements, avoiding Trent McDuffie. While missing the bulk of the regular season, Watson generated a team-best -11.5 CPOE and -8.3 target EPA among corners. Watson returned for the Divisional Round and didn’t miss a beat while knocking off the rust, allowing one catch for eight yards in 24 coverage snaps. Watson’s return for the postseason gives Steve Spagnuolo much more flexibility.
While all the attention was rightfully on Brock Bowers’ record-setting season, Meyers quietly went about his business, generating his first career 1,000-yard campaign. The steady wideout put up 1,027 receiving yards and four TDs on 87 catches in an offense that had one of the worst quarterback situations in the NFL. With Davante Adams essentially a non-factor even before the midseason trade, Meyers was the go-to wideout -- the next WR was Tre Tucker with 539 yards. Meyers' ability to play wide or in the slot was crucial to the Raiders having any semblance of a passing attack. He was also the most sure-handed wideout in the NFL, ending the season as the only qualifying wideout (min. 85 targets) to post zero drops, per Pro Football Focus. His 66.7 contested catch percent ranked fourth in the league.
On a revamped Chargers defense under Jesse Minter, there were plenty of welcome standouts, from Daiyan Henley to rookie Tarheeb Still to Elijah Molden. The one that kept sticking out to me was Ford. Every game, the 29-year-old made plays, stuffing a runner or pressuring the pocket. You couldn’t help but notice the 310-pound ball of flames in the middle. In 17 games, Ford tied career highs with three sacks, eight tackles for loss and nine QB hits. Among interior defensive linemen in PFF's grading system, Ford rated No. 3 against the run and No. 5 overall. When Poona was on the field, the Chargers limited big run plays. L.A.’s defensive turnaround in 2024 doesn’t happen without the big man in the middle gobbling up blockers and creating havoc.
Given his first-round pedigree, it’s a surprise that Robinson could be so overlooked. A slow start to the rookie campaign will do that. Those who didn’t bail on the Dolphins watched Robinson’s production surge down the stretch. From Week 8 through the end of the regular season, Robinson generated 44 QB pressures, seventh-most among all edge rushers. For the entire season, Robinson earned a 17.2 QB pressure percentage, tops among all rookies (even better than presumptive Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse's mark of 16.8 precent) and the fifth-highest rate by a rookie edge defender with at least 200 pass rushes in a season since at least 2018, per NGS (Micah Parsons, 25%; Josh Hines-Allen, 17.8%, Nick Bosa, 17.3%, Will Anderson Jr., 17.3%). The foundation has been laid for a massive second season in South Beach.
Imagine where the Patriots' passing attack would have been this season without Henry? The tight end led New England with a career-high 674 receiving yards and 40 first downs on 66 catches with two TDs. Henry provided Drake Maye a reliable target, someone the rookie could trust to be in the right spot. The TE didn’t let Maye down when he did see the pigskin, dropping just one pass and netting 11 contested catches, fifth-most among all TEs with at least 50 targets, per PFF. Given how Henry was perceived early in his career, it’s notable that he put up career highs in yards, catches and first downs in an offense that struggled to pass the ball.
C.J. Mosley’s injury opened the door for Sherwood, and the youngster stepped through with flying colors. The fourth-year pro started 16 games in 2024, gobbling up 158 tackles, including a league-high 98 solo takedowns. The linebacker also added two sacks and three passes defended. Sherwood’s play earned him team MVP. Sifting through LB stats, Sherwood’s name kept popping up among more well-known players. His 81 stops ranked fifth-most among LBs, and he added 15 run stuffs and 12 QB pressures. Much like Quincy Williams last year, Sherwood showed he has clear starting-level talent.
It’s no surprise that Herbig would get lost in the shuffle on a defense with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Cameron Heyward. But make no mistake: This young edge menace can cook. On 204 pass-rush snaps, the second-year pro generated 36 QB pressures and 5.5 sacks. His 17.6 pressure percent was tops among all Steelers linemen and fifth-best among all NFL edge rushers (min. 300 snaps). On most rosters, he’d be a starter. In Pittsburgh, he’s the best No. 3 in the league.
The Titans had 22 total receiving touchdowns in 2024. Westbrook-Ikhine had nine of them. For a team that struggled to put up points for much of the season, the 27-year-old wideout brought the pop, setting career highs in yards (497) and TDs while generating 15.5 yards per catch. Of his 32 receptions, 19 went for 10-plus yards with four over 20 yards. His 98-yard TD was the longest catch from scrimmage in the league in 2024. Titans QBs earned a 99.8 passer rating when targeting NWI, tops among Tennessee receivers. The free agent-to-be ensured he’ll find a role in 2025, whether in Tennessee or elsewhere.
