New England Patriots

Hunter Henry Headlines 2024 Patriots Mid-Season Awards

Published

3 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Hunter Henry of the New England Patriots celebrates his Week 1 touchdown with teammate Rhamondre Stevenson.

The New England Patriots enter the midway point of the 2024 season with a 2-7 record. An opening-week win over the Cincinnati Bengals generated excitement for Jerod Mayo’s squad, but the first-year head coach chalked up just one more win over the next eight weeks. Missing key players hindered the team’s performance in the first half but shouldn’t be used as the lone reason for the 2-7 start.

But even though the season hasn’t gone how the Patriots hoped so far, some players are still worth celebrating. With that, here are the Patriots Football Now 2024 midseason awards.

Tom Brady Award (MVP) – Hunter Henry

2023 Winner – Jahlani Tavai
2024 Preseason Prediction – Marcus Jones

.@DrakeMaye2 goes to @Hunter_Henry84 for 6️⃣

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/qZE46niPyV

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 13, 2024

A major issue for New England Patriots players this season has been consistency. More accurately, a lack of it. Rhamondre Stevenson, Keion White, and Christian Gonzalez are among the players who have looked dominant but also had stretches of disappearing or playing poorly. Henry has been consistently solid this season. Whether it was Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye at quarterback, Henry has produced.

Bill Belichick Award (Coach of the Year) – Jeremy Springer

2023 Winner – Jerod Mayo
2024 Preseason Prediction – Jeremy Springer

PUNT RETURN TD WITH 5 SECONDS LEFT! @Patriots

📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/0M1xbb6fcp pic.twitter.com/zF3bFuvvpI

— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2022

There has been a noticeable improvement in the special teams unit under Jeremy Springer’s watch in 2024. Pro Football Focus gives the Patriots a 91.4 special teams grade through nine weeks, the highest in the NFL. It is a significant bump from No. 27 in 2022 and No. 20 in 2023. Brenden Schooler, Christian Elliss, Joe Cardona, Bryce Baringer, and Joey Slye are among the special teams players excelling this season.

John Hannah Award (Offensive Player of the Year) – Hunter Henry

2023 Winner – Mike Onwenu
2024 Preseason Prediction – DeMario Douglas

Hunt is feeling it today 🔥@Hunter_Henry84 | #NEPats

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/x1bN1KLq3R

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 15, 2024

There are not a lot of options for an offense that has been among the least effective in the NFL this season. The options here come down to Rhamondre Stevenson and Hunter Henry. Stevenson leads the team in yards from scrimmage (537), first downs (27) and touchdowns (7). But he’s also averaging just 3.8 yards per carry and temporarily lost his starting job after four fumbles.

Henry leads Patriots receivers in receptions (39), receiving yards (414), and first downs (24). He’s also tied for the team lead with one touchdown reception. If Pro Bowl teams were selected at midseason, Henry would be the lone Patriots offensive players with a solid case.

Andre Tippett Award (Defensive Player of the Year) – Anfernee Jennings

2023 Winner – Christian Barmore
2024 Preseason Prediction – Christian Gonzalez

33 on the 🎙️

Mic’d up with @anferneejenning pic.twitter.com/dVvZCGPNiq

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 6, 2024

Once again, consistency is rewarded here. The Patriots traded away Matthew Judon in training camp. Oshane Ximines was lost to a season-ending injury in Week 2. Joshua Uche underperformed and was traded to Kansas City. Anfernee Jennings has been the consistent, edge-setting outside linebacker for New England. He’s recorded 44 tackles (27 solo) despite missing a game. His 23 stops rank third among all NFL edge defenders, just one behind the leaders. Keion White and Christian Gonzalez received consideration here as well.

Matthew Slater Award (Special Teams Player of the Year) – Brenden Schooler

2023 Winner – Brenden Schooler
2024 Preseason Prediction – Bryce Baringer

Special teams, special plays @SchoolerBrenden 👏

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/48lZeruTM5

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 6, 2024

As noted above, the New England Patriots have had several players with outstanding performances on special teams this season. Specialists Joey Slye, Bryce Baringer, and Joe Cardona have all been excellent. The honor here goes to Schooler, who leads the team with seven special teams tackles while committing no penalties. Schooler is an All-Pro candidate based on his first-half performance, which includes a beautifully blocked punt.

Mike Haynes Award (Rookie of the Year) – Dell Pettus

2023 Winner – DeMario Douglas
2024 Preseason Prediction – Layden Robinson

That next man up mentality. pic.twitter.com/U6O0otOKxH

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 27, 2024

Drake Maye has been the New England Patriots best rookie but it’s impossible to give the award to somebody who started only four of nine games. If Maye stays in the lineup and continues to impress, this award will be his at season’s end. Unfortunately, there aren’t many other options. Sixth-round pick Marcellas Dial Jr. is the only other 2024 draft pick who has made a positive contribution this season, becoming a solid special teams contributor.

Dell Pettus was an undrafted free agent but has been solid on both special teams and as a reserve safety. With safeties Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, and Marte Mapu all missing time, Pettus has played 154 snaps on defense. He’s made 20 tackles without being credited for a single missed tackle this season.

Gino Cappelletti Award (Unsung Hero) – Christian Elliss

2023 Winner – Anfernee Jennings
2024 Preseason Prediction – Hunter Henry

The @patriots blitz gets home.

📺: #CARvsNE on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/A2puiG95W8

— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2024

Elliss was a borderline player to make the 53-man roster coming out of training camp. After Ja’Whaun Bentley’s injury and Raekwon McMillan’s inconsistent play, Ellis became a starter at linebacker for New England. He’s made 37 tackles and added 1.5 sacks. He’s been one of the most impressive coverage players as well. His five special teams tackles are second on the Patriots to only Brenden Schooler. A solid showing for the 2023 waiver claim thus far in 2024.

Vince Wilfork Award (Fan Favorite) – Drake Maye

2023 Winner – Jabrill Peppers
2024 Preseason Prediction – Marcus Jones

DRAKE MAYE. 17-yard rushing TD for the rookie!

📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/QCLpeTf9xG

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

Maye hasn’t played enough to earn the New England Patriots Rookie of the Year yet, but he has established himself as a fan favorite. Drake Maye brings hope to the New England Patriots that has not existed since Tom Brady’s departure after the 2019 season. Nobody is expecting him to lead the team to a Super Bowl or even the playoffs in 2024, but he gives glimpses of that being a possibility down the road with him at quarterback. His toughness and attitude, combined with his ability, have helped even skeptical Patriots fans quickly embrace the rookie.

Adam Vinatieri Award (Play of the Year) – Drake Maye and Rhamondre Stevenson

2023 Winner – Mac Jones and Mike Gesicki
2024 Preseason Prediction – None

DRAKE MAYE! RHAMONDRE STEVENSON! @PATRIOTS TIE IT UP! pic.twitter.com/ThCEJxhA0b

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024

The New England Patriots lost to the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. However, it was not before an unbelievable play as time expired in regulation sent the game to overtime. With New England trailing by seven, Drake Maye evaded numerous defenders before throwing the shortest Hail Mary in NFL history. Rhamondre Stevenson hauled in the pass for the game-tying touchdown with no time remaining. The Titans went on to win in overtime, but it didn’t diminish the sensational final play of the fourth quarter that enabled the Patriots to get to OT.

This year, Patriots Football Now will come up with the candidates but let PFN+ subscribers decide on the winner of New England Patriots play of the year. (Note: Add code “KELLEY” to get $10 off an annual PFN+ membership).