Christian McCaffrey, congrats! You are the Madman’s Fantasy MVP for 2023. May you be showered with confetti by friends and family, visualize yourself carrying a magnificent trophy, and then go to Disneyland. You deserve it.
However, there was a far more compelling competition than the race for MVP, and that was for the top fantasy wide receiver.
Tyreek Hill seems to have rushed away, dashed away, dashed away toward this honor all season. But then he got hurt, just as CeeDee Lamb went boom!
Following a strong 18.6 PPR performance in Week 15, the first round of the fantasy playoffs, The next week, Lamb notched his sixth 25-point game of the season, tallying 25.2. Then, during championship week, he went nuclear, scoring 40.2 points, his fourth 30-point game of the season. He literally was a league champion.
But was it enough to overcome The Cheetah? After all, Hill has nine games of 25 points or more and five games of 30 points or more. Through Week 13, he averaged – averaged! — 26.1.
Hill was vying for NFL MVP – not fantasy MVP, not WR MVP, but league-wide real-world MVP. Then he hurt his ankle in Week 14, and since then he has missed one game and averaged 14.2 points per game, with his total points (42.6) ranking him 32nd among WRs.
Lamb leads the way throughout that time period, averaging 25.8 points per game and totaling 103.1 points, over 20 points more than the next greatest WR.
Nonetheless, Hill was substantially better than Lamb for the majority of the year, with his 26.1 easily beating Lamb’s 22.1. However, Lamb was still the WR3 at the moment. And that wasn’t the fantasy playoffs at the time.
It appeared inconceivable just a few weeks ago, as unlikely as the 2004 Red Sox ALCS rally, as far-fetched as Scott rallying the Beacon Town High Beavers past the Dragons without the assistance of Teen Wolf.
Nonetheless, it occurred. CeeDee Lamb finished ahead of Tyreek Hill. Even though neither caught McCaffrey in the MVP race, Lamb wins the coveted Best Fantasy WR title.
Josh Allen, Bills, is the best quarterback.
Only had one true dud all season, and it happened in Week 1. Jalen Hurts, the runner-up in scoring, averaged roughly a point more each game. Lamar Jackson made a late charge and had a big championship week game, but it wasn’t enough to catch Allen.
Dolphins’ Raheem Mostert is the best running back.
McCaffrey will not be able to win again. Kyren Williams won the greatest waiver choice in an earlier post, so he can’t either. And Mostert’s low draft price gives him an advantage that outweighs the one additional PPR point you gained from Travis Etienne over the season.
Lions’ Sam LaPorta is the best tight end.
Yes, he earned our Best Rookie TE award, which disqualifies him. However, he outscored Travis Kelce. T.J. Hockenson got injured late in the game. Could we really hand this up to Evan Engram or George Kittle? They were adequate in a precarious circumstance, but award-worthy?
Important weeks
Jordan Love, Packers quarterback, vs. Bears (FanDuel $7,800/DraftKings $6,600)
Has multiple touchdown throws in seven of the last eight games and seven total touchdowns in the last two. Could have a shootout with Justin Fields’ team.
Melvin Gordon, Ravens, RB (FD $5,500/DK N/A) at. Steelers
With the Ravens expected to relax after clinching the No. 1 seed, we won’t see much of Gus Edwards or Justice Hill. Gordon steps forward.
Important weeks
Jordan Love, Packers quarterback, vs. Bears (FanDuel $7,800/DraftKings $6,600)
Has multiple touchdown throws in seven of the last eight games and seven total touchdowns in the last two. Could have a shootout with Justin Fields’ team.
Melvin Gordon, Ravens, RB (FD $5,500/DK N/A) at. Steelers
With the Ravens expected to relax after clinching the No. 1 seed, we won’t see much of Gus Edwards or Justice Hill. Gordon steps forward.
Pierre Strong Jr. RB, Browns, at Bengals(FD $4,600/DK $4,000)
Similarly, not expecting much action out of Jerome Ford or Kareem Hunt. That would leave Strong to absorb the work. Isn’t Week 18 great?
Demarcus Robinson WR, Rams, at 49ers (FD $6,500/DK $4,500)
Cooper Kupp sitting out and Puka Nacua expected to leave after notching his 29-yard bonus threshold, that leaves Robinson and the rest to catches passes from Carson Wentz.
Small weeks
Baker Mayfield QB, Buccaneers, at Panthers (FD $7,200/DK $6,200)
Dealing with a rib issue, which can make it difficult to throw. Plus, facing a Panthers team that doesn’t give up a lot through the air. Scored in single digits in Week 13 vs. Carolina.
Elijah Mitchell RB, 49ers, vs. Rams (FD $6,600/DK $5,800)
Has been battling an illness, which could open the door for third-stringer Jordan Mason to get significant carries as the Niners employ preseason mode.
Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, Lions, vs. Vikings (FD $8,800/DK $8,600)
There isn’t a lot of incentive to go full throttle to go from the No. 3 seed to No. 2. Don’t be surprised if the Lions let off the gas in the second half to protect their health for the playoffs.
Evan Engram TE, Jaguars, at Titans (FD $6,800/DK $5,400)
QB Trevor Lawrence is questionable with a shoulder issue. We don’t like Engram’s prospects with C.J. Beathard under center. The Titans are No. 1 vs. opposing TEs this season and have given up just two TDs to them.
Daily Duel
Drew Loftis and Jarad Wilk submit dueling rosters into a DFS contest:
Site:Â DraftKings
Slate:Â Sun. main (13 games)
Type:Â $20 tourney
Top prize:Â $1M
Pot:Â $2.25M
Drew’s Crew
QB: Justin Fields Chi (at GB) $7,200
RB: Rachaad White TB (at Car) $7,600
RB: James Conner Ari (vs. Sea) $6,100
WR: D.J. Moore Chi (at GB) $7,000
WR: Jayden Reed GB (vs. Chi) $5,700
WR: D.J. Chark Jr. Car (vs. TB) $3,700
TE: Tucker Kraft GB (vs. Chi) $3,700
Flex: Jordan Addison Min (at Det) $5,300
DST: Patriots NE (vs. NYJ) $3,600
Wilk’s Warriors
QB: Justin Fields Chi (at GB) $7,200
RB: James Conner Ari (vs. Sea) $6,100
RB: Zamir White LV (vs. Den) $6,000
WR: D.J. Moore Chi (at GB) $7,000
WR: Greg Dortch Ari (vs. Sea) $4,600
WR: Calvin Ridley Jac (at Ten) $6,500
TE: Lucas Krull Den (at LV) $2,700
Flex: DK Metcalf Sea (at Ari) $7,200
DST: Giants NYG (vs. Phi) $2,300
