With the playoffs starting for most teams next week, it’s time to hand out some post-season hardware for the fantasy term.
MVP: Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons
This was a tough decision, but the former Florida State running back gets the nod here. Freeman has averaged 20 points per game in PPR formats with four games of 30 points or more. In short, if you had Freeman on your roster, you had a pretty good shot of winning your matchup every week.
Honorable Mention: Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Biggest Surprise: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Who had Cam Newton being a top-five fantasy quarterback without his top receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, and what was a sub-par offensive line? Anyone? Anyone? “Super Cam” has been dabbing on opponents all season long, posting only two games below 15 fantasy points this season.
Honorable Mention: Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons
Dishonorable Mention: Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Comeback Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson
Peterson only played one game for the Vikings last season before being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list and never playing again in 2014. Since then, “All Day” has been a monster on the ground, leading the NFL in rushing yards with 1,164 and averaging 18 fantasy points per game in PPR formats.
Honorable Mention: Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals
Next Man Up Award: Charcandrick West, Kansas City Chiefs
The loss of Jamaal Charles to an ACL tear would have been enough to doom the Chiefs’ season, but West proved he was capable of handling the extra workload. Since his matchup against Chicago, the Abilene Christian graduate has posted three games of 20 points or more in PPR formats, allowing the Chiefs to win five straight in the process.
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Langford, Chicago Bears
Most Disappointing Player: Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles
This one hurts, especially since we picked him to be the biggest fantasy surprise earlier this year. Despite all the hype surrounding the former Sooner’s potential in the Chip Kelly offense, Bradford has been the model of mediocrity in fantasy, scoring double digit points in five of the 11 games the Eagles have played.
Honorable Mention: C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos
Rookie of the Year: Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
The former Crimson Tide receiver has been, as Randy Moss once said, “Straight Cash, Homie.” Cooper has been a top-20 PPR receiver this season, dropping below 12 points in only four of the Raiders 11 games.
Honorable Mention: Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams
Super Senior Award: Tom Brady, New England Patriots
At the age of 38, not many people thought Brady would continue to compete at an MVP level. Brady has done nothing short of destroying almost every team he’s played against, averaging 23 fantasy points per game, and he has eight games of 20 points or more this season.
Honorable Mention: Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals
Most Reliable: DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
Hopkins was by far Houston quarterback Brian Hoyer’s favorite target this season, amassing 81 receptions and 1,081 yards through 11 games. Hopkins dipped below double-digit points only once this season and was a model of consistency for wide receivers across the league.
Honorable Mention: Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins
Least Reliable: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
Brown is the No. 3 ranked wide receiver on ESPN PPR Leagues and has the potential to go off on any given week, evidenced by this 17-catch, 284-yard performance in Week 9. Brown is a bona fide No. 1 receiver in any lineup but only when his quarterback is healthy and playing and Ben Roethlisberger has missed four games this season. Brown’s production has dipped severely when Landry Jones is in the pocket, and with so many other options in the Steelers offense, Brown was just too unreliable for his talent level.
Honorable Mention: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
