Pure Fire: Barkley, Henry, and Jefferson Named OPOY Finalists
NEW YORK, NY — The shortlist for the NFL’s most explosive offensive talent is officially out. The league announced five finalists for the 2024-25 Offensive Player of the Year award: **Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Lamar Jackson**. While the MVP often feels like a quarterback-only club, this list highlights the guys who actually broke the game this season.
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The Battle of the Backfield
For the first time in years, the running back position has reclaimed the spotlight. **Saquon Barkley** and **Derrick Henry** didn’t just have good seasons; they transformed their respective offenses. Barkley, in his first year with the Eagles, surpassed **2,000 yards from scrimmage** and gave Philadelphia a physical identity they lacked in late 2023. His workload was relentless, often exceeding a **75% snap count** in high-leverage games.
Then there is “The King.” Derrick Henry’s move to Baltimore was the ultimate efficiency boost for the Ravens. Henry led the league with **15+ rushing touchdowns** and became the primary weapon in Baltimore’s **red-zone efficiency**, which jumped to the top of the NFL rankings. Defenses had to pick their poison: commit eight men to the box to stop Henry or stay back to contain Lamar Jackson’s legs. Most failed at both.
The Yardage Monsters
On the perimeter, Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb remained the most dangerous targets in football. Despite playing with a revolving door of quarterbacks for part of the year, Jefferson still cleared the **1,500-yard mark**, proving his route-running is essentially uncoverable. CeeDee Lamb acted as the entire Dallas offense for long stretches, leading the league in **targets and catches** while forcing defensive coordinators to double-team him on nearly 40% of his routes.
Lamar Jackson rounds out the list as the dual-threat outlier. While he is the favorite for MVP, his inclusion here stems from his career-high passing marks and his ability to generate explosive plays out of broken protections.
Inside the Huddle
“You watch these five guys on film and you see five different ways to ruin a defensive coordinator’s week. Whether it’s Saquon’s lateral burst or Jefferson’s ability to win at the catch point, these are the guys you have to build an entire game plan around.” — NFC Defensive Backs Coach
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The winner will be revealed at the NFL Honors on February 6. Historically, OPOY goes to the non-quarterback with the most “wow” factor, which puts the heat squarely on **Saquon Barkley**. His impact on the Eagles’ win total is undeniable, and his resurgence after leaving New York is the kind of story voters love.
Expect the final vote to be a dead heat between Barkley and Henry. While Henry had the better touchdown numbers, Barkley’s value in the passing game gives him a slight edge for the modern voter. Regardless of who wins, the message is clear: the elite running back is no longer a “devalued” asset in the quest for a Super Bowl. Watch the playoff box scores—the winner of this award is usually the guy whose team is still playing in February.
