Fantasy Football Edge: Fantasy MVPs And LVPs
By Matt Cott, and Matthew Schwimmer of Roto Analysis
As many fantasy seasons come to a close this weekend, we at RotoAnalysis wanted to take a look at some of the biggest performances this season and the players who carried you to the championship or left you in the cellar. Going through each of the major positions, we chose our most and least valuable players.
Quarterbacks
MVP - Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Manning is probably going to be the NFL MVP in a few weeks so it's no surprise that he's our MVP for the QB position. He currently has 50 more points than his closest competitor. Manning has thrown for multiple touchdowns in every week but one. Additionally, he has four or more scores in seven games this year. Those who gambled on Manning were definitely playing postseason fantasy football this year.
LVP - Tom Brady, New England Patriots
He's had a strong second half, but his start of the season put fantasy owners in a huge hole that they struggled to get out of. By the time Brady scored more than 20 points this year, he was only a week away from his week 10 bye. Right after his bye, fantasy owners received a 13 point performance. Yes, his weapons were extremely weak and injury prone this year, but for the position where fantasy owners had to take him, he was a complete disaster and slowed down each of his owner's teams.
Running Backs
MVP – Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
It's hard for a top 5 pick to outperform his draft slot, but Charles has done just that to make himself the #1 RB by 60 points. Charles changed every fantasy matchup he was in last weekend with one of the best single-game performances of all time, and only had 16 touches while doing so! This guy's talent is absolutely ridiculous and he's the clear top pick heading into next season.
LVP – C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills
There are plenty of choices for this one, with first and second round running backs putting in one of the least reliable seasons in recent memory. Doug Martin, Arian Foster, and David Wilson had their seasons cut short; Ray Rice, Trent Richardson, and Stevan Ridley struggled tremendously. However, Spiller rises above the rest to get our "least valuable player" label because of how frustrating he was on a week-to-week basis. Every few weeks he would break out to make you think he was back to the star he was last year and fall on his face as soon as you put him back into your lineup. There was no more frustrating player in all of fantasy, and if you end up winning the championship despite him, props to you.
Wide Recievers
MVP – Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns
It's hard to not give this to Calvin, but Gordon only has six less points than him this season despite missing the first two games of the season. Gordon's recent hot streak has been incredible with back-to-back 200 yard games. With good quarterback play next season, it's scary to think about Gordon's potential. He was the steal of many fantasy drafts this year, but next year he won't be so under the radar.
LVP – Victor Cruz, New York Giants
Cruz was the highest scorer of any wide receiver in Week 1 with a three touchdown game and gave his owners a great start to the year. However, since then he's been absolutely dreadful. He has one touchdown since Week 1 and none since Week 4. He may rank as the 21st receiver in terms of points on the year, but since Week 2 he ranks a measly 42nd. Cruz (and the Giants) were a huge letdown this year.
Agree? Disagree? Questions? Tweet @RotoAnalysis and be sure to follow Moe @MoeProblems, Matt @KidCotti21, and Matt@Schwimingly. Check out their work on RotoAnalysis.com, as well as The RotoAnalysis Fantasy Sports Podcast.
