Week 9 marked the halfway point of the 2024 NFL regular season, which has seen former Oregon stars make an impact on both sides of the ball. Here are just a few of the many Pro Ducks making plays at the highest level.
Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert had his best game of the season in a 27-10 road win over the Cleveland Browns. The former sixth-overall pick recorded 18 completions on 27 passing attempts for 282 yards and two touchdowns.
Herbert’s production, which started relatively slow as the team synced new head coach Jim Harbaugh, has begun to increase in recent weeks. Sunday’s win saw Herbert’s season high in yards per attempt (10.4) and passer rating (125.8). His Chargers are 5-3 and currently sit second in the AFC West standings, one spot above another former Oregon passer.
Bo Nix, Quarterback, Denver Broncos
Though Nix’s Broncos (5-4, 3rd in AFC West) struggled in a difficult 41-10 loss to the surging Baltimore Ravens this week, Nix’s rookie year has largely been a good one. Nix is already the winningest rookie quarterback in Broncos history and brought home October’s AFC Offensive Rookie of the Month. He’s one of only two quarterbacks to have caught a touchdown pass this year and the first rookie to do so since David Blough in 2016.
Of this year’s rookie quarterbacks, Nix is tied with reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Jayden Daniels for first in total touchdowns (13) and rushing touchdowns (4). Among the same group, Nix ranks second in passing yards (1,530), rushing yards (259) and QBR (53.3).
Bucky Irving, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When the Buccaneers drafted Irving with the 125th pick of this year’s draft, many expected him to be used as a compliment to incumbent starter Rachaad White, but Irving has excelled through eight games in Tampa Bay.
Irving leads the team in rushes (76), rushing yards (395) and rushing touchdowns (3). As a result of Irving’s immediate results, the Buccaneers rank eighth in total rushing yards and tenth in rushing yards per game. For reference, they finished last in both categories a season ago.
Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle, Detroit Lions
Halfway through his fourth NFL season, Sewell is widely considered one of the league’s best offensive tackles. His immense size and proportional physicality have made him a load-bearing pillar of Detroit’s potent offense, which earned him a four-year, $112 million dollar contract extension this offseason.
Through eight games this season, Sewell has allowed only one sack and ranks third among all tackles in both PFF Offense (88.0) and Run Blocking (89.3) grades.
DeForest Buckner, Defensive Tackle, Indianapolis Colts
Buckner recorded 1.5 sacks in the Colts’ season opener before suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2. The nine-year veteran missed five games before returning in Week 8, where he recorded another sack.
Buckner then showed out on Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings, recording another sack and six total tackles. Performances like these across an entire season would likely earn Buckner Pro Bowl consideration.
Deommodore Lenoir, Cornerback, San Francisco 49ers
Lenoir, whose PFF Pass Coverage grade ranks 10th among cornerbacks with 400+ snaps, is also making waves in the Bay as a tackler. He’s second to only all-world linebacker Fred Warner in total tackles (44) and solo tackles (30).
Niners fans will hope that San Francisco’s Week 9 bye doesn’t disrupt Lenoir’s growing turnover streak. The fourth-year pro had an interception in Week 7 and followed up that performance by forcing a fumble and intercepting another pass in Week 8.
