My Fantasy Football Awards for PPR Leagues:
This season, I had the opportunity to participate in my first dynasty football league. The draft began back in July, where it was a month long. We had a round of 25 where players had literally up to a day to draft the players that they wanted to in order to supplement their team rosters. The Dynasty Football Format that we used was “Sleeper” – which after being exposed to it for the first time this year, I have to say that this format is by far more superior than ESPN, NFL Fantasy, and Yahoo! Fantasy. I almost wish that Sleeper had a way to set up and run with a Dynasty Baseball League, though it is a work in progress and something that we should see in the near future.
It was my first year being a part of a PPR league – as for those of you who are unaware, PPR looks at “points per reception” – meaning your wide receivers and tight ends carry a ton of value – where each catch or reception results in points PLUS reception yards and a score. Our league also carried individual defensive players – which from an outsiders perspective can be a little overwhelming especially if you don’t follow the NFL at all – but I enjoy statistics and productivity – so I was able to build a valuable defense that helped single-handedly win some games in my league.
To give you a feel for who finished the season on my 2019 Dynasty Football Team, this is who is a part of it.
- QBs: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady
- RBs: Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, James White, Jordan Howard,
- WRs: Michael Thomas, Juju Smith-Schuster, Chris Conley, Larry Fitzgerald, Allen Hurns, Kelvin Harmon*
- TEs: Austin Hooper, Tyler Higbee
- K: Joey Slye
- DL: Nick Bosa, Calais Campbell, Chris Jones
- LB: Leighton Vander Esch, Robert Quinn, Luke Keuchly
- DBs: Vonn Bell, Logan Ryan, Eric Reid
- IR: Bradley Chubb (LB/DL), T.J. Hockenson (TE)*
- Taxi Squad (Rookies): Alexander Mattison*, Rock Ya-Sin*, Darrius Shepherd*
*Rookies
In our fantasy formats – our taxi is frozen during the regular season and you can no longer add players to it. Once you remove a player from the taxi, you can’t put them back on it. My taxi included Nick Bosa, who I removed from the taxi in Week 6.
***Note*** Most of these awards that I’ve given out are solely based on opinion and a little bias. I go off of what I’ve seen out of the scoring format that we had set in our leagues. If you ever desire to start your own dynasty league – don’t be afraid to reach out – I look talking fantasy statistics and matchups to give your team that edge over your opponents.
Most Valuable Offensive Fantasy Football Player of the Year: Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints.
In any PPR leagues – Michael Thomas was ranked in the late first to early second rounds. He luckily fell to my pick at #12 in our organizational draft. The summer of our draft – Thomas was in the middle of his salary negotiations with the Saints after putting up a crazy number of receptions (125) in his third season. He was rewarded with a 5-year, $100 million dollar contract with $61 million guaranteed. Through Week 13 of this season, Thomas already has 121 receptions and shows no signs of slowing down at age 26. Even when Drew Brees went down with an injury early on this season, he stepped up and helped provide a target for Teddy Bridgewater and still put up great numbers. Expect Thomas to go early next season in a ton of fantasy drafts – I know that personally, I am set up for success in the future because of Michael Thomas. He has the tools to be one of the best wide receivers of all time – even after Drew Brees leaves the Superdome. The Ohio State product is a must-add if you want to build that successful roster.
Workhorse of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
Christian McCaffrey was drafted maybe second or third in almost all fantasy drafts after Saquon Barkley, but after this season, expect him to go number one. The entire Carolina Panthers offense goes through RunCMC – he is almost always on the field and usually he has the ball in his hands. No matter who the Panthers are playing – he needs to be in your lineup. McCaffrey already has over 2000 yards from scrimmage and even with the Panthers out of contention and with young Kyle Allen under helm – he carries his team and is tough to stop. Whoever has the first pick in your leagues for next season is a lock for RunCMC.
Gunslinger of the Year: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens.
Lamar Jackson was drafted after Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, and Jared Goff in our dynasty league. Given the reins of the Baltimore Ravens offense, Jackson definitely showed no signs of a sophomore slump. Jackson gets his stats with his feet – he’s constantly scrambling and creating big plays. He doesn’t have to throw the ball 30 times a game – and can control the game from his own standpoint and position – which is frustrating to defenses across the league. Hats off to John Harbaugh for believing in Jackson – they have a good gunslinger for the next few years. I didn’t expect success personally to come early for Jackson – when it comes to drafting your quarterback in dynasty leagues – look to add them around your 5th or 6th round – build your offense and get your quarterback to help lead your team. Expect the top quarterbacks next season to go in this order: Jackson, Mahomes, Wilson, Watson, Prescott.
Disappointing Offensive Fantasy Football Player of the Year: Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
Expected by many to be a good pick early on in fantasy formats – an injury-filled 2019 has hurt Alvin Kamara’s stock in multiple fantasy formats. This season, picked after Saquon (who also was another disappointment but slowly has recovered to help the Giants offense) – Kamara has become an afterthought in the Saints offense – especially where Thomas has been highlighted even more. I think many fans out there were expecting Kamara to have a monster year considering that Mark Ingram went north to Baltimore. Ankle and knee injuries have hurt his yards of production, where Kamara has yet to eclipse over 1000 yards of total offense. He also has 3 fumbles so far on the season – the most in his three-year career to this point. In next year’s draft – Kamara still holds value – maybe as a late first or early second-round pick, but it’s safe to say that this season hasn’t been his year – as he battles for handoffs from Latavius Murray.
Waiver-Claim Fantasy Football Player of the Year: Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams
At one point in my dynasty football season – I was down to one healthy TE – and for many Lions fans who read these blogs – that TE was T.J. Hockenson. Austin Hooper (great numbers this season) and Gerald Everett were out with injury. I drafted Hockenson third overall in my rookie draft – after Josh Jacobs and David Montgomery had gone first and second respectively. But I needed a backup plan. I chose to drop Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Rams and went after his replacement – a tight end I learned about during the Monday Night Football matchup where the Baltimore Ravens marched into Los Angeles and took the league by storm. That man was Tyler Higbee.
Since I picked up Higbee – he has slowly become Jared Goff’s favorite target – after Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. On average since his emergence after the Ravens game in Week 12 – Higbee has three straight games of over 100 yards of offense – all while averaging 11 receptions a game. That in itself in typical PPR leagues is good for 21 points – which are great numbers for a TE. I don’t know what kind of a role that Higbee will have in 2020 – but since he has signed a four-year extension earlier this season – as he keeps developing chemistry with his quarterback – he will be a TE to consider as a weapon for your team next season.
***On a side note*** since coming over from Miami – Kenyan Drake, the running back for the Arizona Cardinals would be another nominee for Waiver-Claim of the Year – but since Higbee has more sentimental value to me, he gets the nod. Drake will be a great RB2 or RB3 in leagues next season.
Most Valuable Defensive Fantasy Football Player of the Year: Logan Ryan, CB, Tennessee Titans
Who the hell is Logan Ryan?
This is Logan Ryan.
I acquired Logan Ryan in a trade around midseason and didn’t know who the hell he was until I “googled” him and his stats. His numbers speak for themselves. Since being signed as a free agent from the New England Patriots – Ryan has been a star in Tennessee. Listed as a cornerback, on the season, Logan Ryan has 78 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. He’s gotten huge numbers in PPR leagues for his stat total for each game. He’s usually a safe bet in our league to give you a solid 10 points. I drafted both Luke Keuchly and Leighton Vander Esch this season, along with T.J. Watt (whom I traded to obtain Ryan) – but consistency means a ton to me and that’s what Logan Ryan is. If looking for a secondary player or a good IDP player – give this man a shot.
Rookie of the Year: Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Redskins
Really. Terry McLaurin?
Yeah.
Because in our league – he flew under the radar and was drafted in the FOURTH round (our rookie draft had four rounds) – and he has quietly been a good and developing target for the young Washington Redskins. Through Week 14, McLaurin has 46 receptions for 703 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s another Ohio State guy – who will continue to get better as the Washington Redskins’s offense gets more experience and opportunity. Probably won’t win the Rookie of the Year in the league this season – but he has my vote of confidence.
The #ForTheBrand Fantasy Football Player of the Year: Harrison Butker, K, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has a loaded offense that scores a lot in a hurry. Which means a lot of extra points and field goals for Mr. Butker. Wil Lutz would be another kicker to consider – but since there has been a lot of publicity in this blog on the Saints, I need to show some love to the Kansas City Chiefs and Harrison Butker. Having another great year, Butker is 39/41 on XPs and has made 31/35 FGs on the season, including a couple from 50+. As long as Kansas City is scoring in bunches – Butker is a safe and sure bet in most fantasy football formats.
That’s a wrap on my awards for this season. Overall in my league, I finished 8-5 on the regular season, finishing 3rd overall during the regular season with injuries to Juju Smith-Schuster, Austin Hooper, and Leighton Vander Esch. Playoffs are in play at the moment – and with this season about to wrap up – I am more than pumped to see who gets drafted where in the 2020 NFL Draft, so I can start planning ahead for our Rookie Draft. -WGL
