NO ONE COULD KEEP UP WITH KUPP
ANY OF you remember that old 1980s tune? The one that goes, “you’re the best ... arou-ound. Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down”?
You know the one? What does it remind you of ?
If you answered the movie “The Karate Kid,” you would be wrong. If you just asked yourself, what’s “The Karate Kid”? then you’re probably too young to recall that song. It was in a movie that was the basis for “Cobra Kai.”
But the correct answer for what that song reminds you of is: Cooper Kupp. No, don’t argue with me about what goes on inside your head. If “You’re the Best” doesn’t automatically conjure images of Kupp, your brain is broken.
Kupp was the top fantasy scorer, by a lot. That is not a spot normally occupied by receivers. Davante Adams had an incredible season last year, and he was just eighth overall. According to the Analyst, Kupp is the first receiver since Jerry Rice in 1995 to score more than 400 PPR points. And he could be the first to achieve the WR triple crown (tops in receptions, yards and touchdowns) since should-be Hall of Famer Steve Smith in 2005.
That is why Kupp is our 2021 fantasy MVP. Because he’s the best ... around. Nothing’s gonna ever keep him down.
Best QB: Josh Allen, Bills.
It was a down year in general for QBs, but Allen had just a couple of duds and was strong
in the playoffs, which gives him the edge over Mahomes (who had a down month) and Brady (who had a couple of bad games in the playoffs).
Honorable mention: Justin Herbert, Chargers.
Best RB: Jonathan Taylor, Colts. The closest to him was Austin Ekeler, nearly 50 points behind, and he was nearly 100 points better than fourthranked Najee Harris. Three of his four worst games came in the first three weeks, so he was dependable when it counted.
Best WR: Deebo Samuel,
49ers. Sorry, Cooper. You already won MVP, can’t have Best WR, too. So this goes to Deebo. He was the third-highest scoring WR, behind Kupp and Davante Adams. Samuel gets the nod over Adams since you need a mid-first-round pick to get Adams. Samuel was often still available in the seventh round.
Best TE: Mark Andrews,
Ravens. It was a weird year for tight ends. Travis Kelce didn’t dominate as expected. Consensus preseason No. 2 TE Darren Waller was a complete bust. Andrews was the fifth TE taken in drafts on average, and he ended up the top scorer, by more than one full point per week over secondranked Kelce and three points per week (and nearly 100 overall for the season) than thirdranked George Kittle. Honorable mention: Dalton Schultz, Cowboys.
Best rookie: Ja’Marr
Chase, WR, Bengals. There is a great argument this should go to Steelers RB Najee Harris, who was more consistent. But Chase has an explosive factor Harris didn’t, as his 55-plus PPR points in the fantasy championship showed.