Gurley, Freeman provide 2015 rush WR Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars:
Most fantasy football leagues have crowned their champions, so it’s time to hand out hardware to the biggest newsmakers of the 16-week season.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RB Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams:
A fantasy bargain thanks to offseason knee rehab, Gurley had 1,108 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games. His 4.8yard average was second among players with 200-plus carries, and he led the league with five rushes of 40-plus yards. Four TDs and 91.0 rushing yards a game in the fantasy postseason sealed his first-round price in 2016.
BEST WAIVER PICKUP QB Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars:
He directed an aimless offense as a rookie in 2014. Progress: He threw the second-most touchdown passes this year (35). Sure, 16 picks came with it, but he took over many fantasy weeks with his arm and legs. In only three games did he fail to register two total touchdowns. Peg him as a top-10 quarterback next summer.
UNSUNG HERO TE Gary Barnidge, Cleveland Browns:
Rob Gronkowski had legit competition for top tight end. Barnidge rose from anonymity with 71 catches, 977 yards and nine scores as Cleveland’s most dominant receiving weapon. Barnidge caught five or more passes in nine games, which gave unexpected fantasy stability, regardless of who was throwing to him.
BUST OF THE YEAR WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys:
A lot of Bryant’s struggles came from Tony Romo’s two long injury stretches. But Bryant did himself no favors, missing six games and catching just 31 passes for 401 yards and three touchdowns. Not exactly the numbers you want from your No. 1 wideout, who was taken in the first round most of the time. He might wind up a bargain next year, but his value will depend on Romo’s availability.
TOP BREAKOUT
Another Jaguar? At his position, he tied for first with 14 touchdown grabs, ranked sixth with 1,292 receiving yards and led all competitors with at least 75 receptions in yards per catch (17.2). The second-year beast scored seven times in his final five outings. Robinsin won’t fall past the second round in 2016.
DEFENSE OF THE YEAR
Denver Broncos:
With a dangerous pass rush and secondary, the defense was first with 49 sacks, allowed the fourth-fewest points (276) and scored the second-most fantasy points (112). Quarterback woes with Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler made this showing more impressive. Can the Broncos keep their impending free agents, including Von Miller?
COMEBACK PLAYER QB Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals:
A torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee ended his 2014 early. Talk about a rebound! He has posted career highs of 4,542 yards and 34 touchdown passes, both among the top five, at age 36. It helps to have a stellar receiving corps, including fellow resurgent veteran Larry Fitzgerald. With health, Palmer could come close to a repeat next year.
SECOND-HALF STUD WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks:
With 42 receptions and 12 touchdowns over the last seven games, he forced us to create a new category. Russell Wilson was forced to throw more with running backs Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls hurt, and Baldwin, an underrated route runner, was up to the task of more targets. Tight end Jimmy Graham will continue his knee rehab for much of next year, which makes Baldwin a top-20 receiver next year.
BEST PERFORMANCE QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (Week 8):
In a 52-49 victory against the New York Giants, Brees delivered a whopping 53.7 fantasy points: 39-for-50, 505 yards, seven touchdowns. In a down year by his standards, days like this still helped him finish among the top 10 quarterbacks.
POSTSEASON SAVIOR RB David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals:
Stepping in for injured Chris Johnson, Johnson averaged 160 offensive yards and scored four times in Weeks 14 through 16. Week 15 punched many tickets to the finals: 229 yards and three TDs. Only DeAngelo Williams came remotely close to matching this stretch among running backs.
FANTASY MVP RB Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons:
During another crippling year for the position, the middle-round pick led the way in touchdowns (13) and point-per-reception scoring (303.0 points on the year; second place was 252.9) and finished third in receptions (71) and offensive yards (1,540). In Weeks 3 through 6, Freeman dominated with 32.7 PPR points or better. He capped things off with 90 yards and a score on championship weekend. See? Running back profit is the key to winning fantasy championships.