The Disruptors: Analyzing the Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
NEW YORK, NY — The shortlist for the NFL’s most prestigious defensive honor is out, and it is a case study in three very different ways to ruin an offensive coordinator’s weekend. The Associated Press has officially named **T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby, and Chris Jones** as the finalists for the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award. While edge rushers usually dominate this ballot, the inclusion of an interior force like Jones suggests the voters are looking beyond simple sack totals.
Defense knew where the ball was going in the 2021 NFC Championship game. Matthew Stafford still delivered it. Cooper Kupp still caught it. 😤
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The Metrics of Mayhem
To understand why these three rose above names like Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons, you have to look at the advanced tracking data that defines modern defensive value. Here is how the finalists separate themselves in the film room:
- T.J. Watt (Steelers): The league’s sack leader finished the campaign with **19.0 sacks**, becoming the first player to lead the NFL in that category three separate times. Beyond the finishing, Watt’s **23% win rate on “true pass sets”** remains the gold standard. He isn’t just a pass rusher; his three forced fumbles and interception in the red zone kept Pittsburgh’s season alive during an offensive drought.
- Maxx Crosby (Raiders): Crosby is the league’s ultimate “Iron Man.” He logged **over 95% of defensive snaps** for Las Vegas, a number usually reserved for free-safeties or cornerbacks. He led the NFL with **23 tackles for loss**, proving that his motor allows him to shut down the run game just as effectively as he collapses the pocket. His **94 total pressures** were among the highest for any edge player in the AFC.
- Chris Jones (Chiefs): The only defensive tackle in the group. Jones faced a **double-team rate of 62%**, the highest in the league for an interior player with at least 10 sacks. His value isn’t just in the stats; it’s in the “displacement” he creates. By drawing two blockers on almost every play, he freed up Kansas City’s secondary to play aggressive man-coverage, which was the engine behind their top-tier defensive ranking.
Inside the Huddle
“You can’t just slide the protection to one of these guys and call it a day. If you don’t account for Watt’s first step or Jones’ raw power in the “A-gap,” the play is dead before the quarterback even reaches the top of his drop. They aren’t just players; they are problems you have to solve on every single snap.” — Current NFL Offensive Line Coach
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
While the sack numbers favor T.J. Watt, the “narrative” momentum is shifting toward Maxx Crosby’s sheer volume of work and Chris Jones’ role in a dominant Chiefs unit. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors on February 6, but the real impact of this list is felt in the upcoming offseason market.
With several high-profile edge rushers entering contract years or extension windows, the final voting tallies for these three will set the price for “elite disruption.” If Jones wins, expect the value of interior “three-technique” defensive tackles to skyrocket. Watch the tape from the playoff rounds—how these players performed in high-leverage situations against elite offensive lines will likely be the tie-breaker for the voters who are still on the fence. For now, the “Sack King” (Watt) remains the man to beat.
