Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Levi Damien

Raiders 2024 midseason awards: Top newcomer, breakout player, best position group, more

It’s the midway mark for the NFL season. And it happens to also be the bye week for the Raiders. So, with that in mind, let’s dole out some awards.

Top Rookie: TE Brock Bowers

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 13: Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs onto the field for a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Allegiant Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Steelers defeated the Raiders 32-13. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

This was an easy choice. Bowers has been on a record pace this season for rookie tight ends. His 580 yards receiving is best among tight ends and his 57 catches is second in the league at any position behind only Jets WR Garrett Wilson.

Top newcomer: DT Christian Wilkins

Oct 6, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) celebrates his sack in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Not a lot of competition for this award. But prior to Wilkins’s injury he was one of the best free agent signings of any team this offseason. They’re hoping he can return this season.

Breakout player: CB Jakorian Bennett

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: Jakorian Bennett #0 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

He was benched four games into his rookie season. Now he’s playing at a high level as an earned starting cornerback. He hasn’t logged an interception, but he routinely shows great skills and sticky coverage on some very talented deep threats.

Comeback player: No qualifiers

No Raiders players are either coming back from a major injury or coming back to previous from off of a down season. Perhaps that will change by season’s end, but for now, there’s simply no one who fits this award.

Most disappointing addition: QB Gardner Minshew

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) drops back to hand off in the first quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Las Vegas Raiders at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If you’d prefer to put Luke Getsy here, I get it. But, personally, I don’t think a lot was expected of Getsy. He was not nearly the Raiders top choice for the job and was somehow even worse. Minshew was expected to at least add a steady presence at QB to settle down the offense. He wasn’t seen as someone who would win games for the Raiders, but rather not lose them. And he hasn’t lived up to that.

Not only did he not jump in and take the reins of the offense in camp as the Raiders had hoped, he’s been benched several times this season as he has thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (8).

Best position group: Specialists

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Daniel Carlson #2 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with AJ Cole #6 after kicking a field goal during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium on October 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

When all else fails — and it has — at least the Raiders have their kick squad. Daniel Carlson and AJ Cole are still arguably the best kicking duo in the league.

Best game: Week 2 vs Ravens

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

You could also go with “Only good game” as the title of this award. That win in Baltimore looks more and more like a fluke the farther down the line we get from it. Their other win was because Deshaun Watson was so determined to lose it for the Browns. The Ravens game was the only game this season the Raiders actually went out and earned the victory. Not coincidentally, it was also the only game they increased their scoring in the second half.

Worst game: 6-way tie

There were many to choose from for this one. Just pick one, really.

Could go with the home opening loss to the Panthers in which they never led and Andy Dalton led offense to put up 33 points in in the first 47 minutes.

Maybe the Rams where the Raiders turned the ball over four times?

Perhaps the Chiefs game where the running backs averaged less than a yard per carry?

Or the Steelers game where Pittsburgh rattled off 26 unanswered?

Or the Broncos who had a 100-yard pick six and rattled off 34 unanswered?

There’s always this past week against the Bengals when the Raiders gave up scores on the Bengals first five drives — four of which went for touchdowns — and allowed a season-high 41 points?

Too many options to choose from to pick just one.

Special Teams player: AJ Cole

Sep 11, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) punts the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Best punter in the league. Periodt.

Offensive player: TE Brock Bowers

Oct 27, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) gestures after a first down against Kansas City Chiefs safety Nazeeh Johnson (13) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Yes, the best rookie has also been their best offensive player. Not ideal, but there’s no one else who is even a viable candidate for this award.

Defensive player: DE Maxx Crosby

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 27: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 27-20. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

He won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the team’s come-from-behind win in Baltimore in Week two. He’s been battling an ankle injury for several weeks, which has limited his effectiveness, but he’s still their top defender.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.