Derrick Henry has been an absolute beast for the Baltimore Ravens and is on pace to rush for over 2,000 yards. Despite great performances, he isn’t getting much MVP buzz. Let’s look at his numbers and some of the reasons he is not getting much love to win the NFL‘s top award.
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Henry on Pace for 2,010 Rush Yards

Derrick Henry has 946 yards rushing in 2024 and is on pace for an insane 2,010 yards on the ground. He is the NFL leader in rushing attempts, yards, touchdowns, yards per carry, and yards per game. Henry has run for over 100 yards in 4 games with his best performance being a 199-yard game vs the Bills on September 29.
Henry Went for 2,000+ Yards in 2020, No MVP
This wouldn’t be the first time that Derrick Henry cracked the 2,000-yard mark. He ran for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns during the 2020 season. Did he win the MVP that year? Nope. He didn’t even earn a vote. Aaron Rodgers was the MVP while Josh Allen finished second and Patrick Mahomes finished third.
Henry was able to win Offensive Player of the Year and was a First-Team All-Pro selection. The Titans finished 11-5 and were knocked out of the playoffs by the Ravens in the Wild Card round 20-13.
Henry Overshadowed by Lamar Jackson
In the NFL, quarterback has proven to be the most important position over the past couple of decades and Henry is on a team with one of the best in the league. Lamar Jackson has won two MVPs and many believe he could get his third this year. Jackson has thrown 17 touchdown passes with just 2 interceptions and ranks second in QBR (74.9).
Even though we know Henry is a monster, Jackson’s dynamic ability has boosted Henry and the ground game. Jackson has run for 501 yards and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The pair of Jackson and Henry is a nightmare to prepare for for defenses. When it comes to the MVP, voters will give Jackson the edge because he contributes as a thrower and a runner.
When it comes to other MVP candidates, Josh Allen will draw more attention as he is another great dual-threat QB. Allen has thrown 14 touchdowns and just 1 interception this season while ranking 4th in QBR (73.7). On the ground, he has added 204 yards and 3 rushing TDs. He has the Bills at 6-2 and with games vs the Chiefs, 49ers, and Lions left on the schedule, he will have plenty of moments to showcase why he deserves an MVP. Allen is the current MVP favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Quarterbacks Have Dominated the MVP Award
The MVP has been mainly a quarterback award since 2000. The top quarterbacks on the best teams have won the award. A quarterback has won the award for the last 11 years. Since 2000, only four players have won the MVP that were not a quarterback. They were all running backs. Adrian Peterson in 2012, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006, Shaun Alexander in 2005, and Marshall Faulk in 2000.
It took insane seasons from each running back to win as Adrian Peterson ran for 2,097 yards while Tomlinson (31), Alexander (28), and Faulk (26) all broke the record for most touchdowns in a season. Now, with the league so dependent on throwing the ball and teams switching to multi-back systems, it has proven extremely difficult for a running back to be in the conversation.
Last season, Christian McCaffrey had 1,459 yards on the ground to lead the NFL and also scored a league-best 21 total touchdowns. He won Offensive Player of the Year but finished 3rd in MVP voting behind Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott.
Check out the NFL MVP from each season dating back to 2000.
Year | Winner | Position | Team |
2023 | Lamar Jackson | QB | Baltimore Ravens |
2022 | Patrick Mahomes | QB | Kansas City Chiefs |
2021 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | Green Bay Packers |
2020 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | Green Bay Packers |
2019 | Lamar Jackson | QB | Baltimore Ravens |
2018 | Patrick Mahomes | QB | Kansas City Chiefs |
2017 | Tom Brady | QB | New England Patriots |
2016 | Matt Ryan | QB | Atlanta Falcons |
2015 | Cam Newton | QB | Carolina Panthers |
2014 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | Green Bay Packers |
2013 | Peyton Manning | QB | Denver Broncos |
2012 | Adrian Peterson | RB | Minnesota Vikings |
2011 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | Green Bay Packers |
2010 | Tom Brady | QB | New England Patriots |
2009 | Peyton Manning | QB | Indianapolis Colts |
2008 | Peyton Manning | QB | Indianapolis Colts |
2007 | Tom Brady | QB | New England Patriots |
2006 | LaDainian Tomlinson | RB | San Diego Chargers |
2005 | Shaun Alexander | RB | Seattle Seahawks |
2004 | Peyton Manning | QB | Indianapolis Colts |
*2003 | Steve McNair | QB | Tennessee Titans |
*2003 | Peyton Manning | QB | Indianapolis Colts |
2002 | Rich Gannon | QB | Oakland Raiders |
2001 | Kurt Warner | QB | St. Louis Rams |
2000 | Marshall Faulk | RB | St. Louis Rams |