Fantasy Football Mid-Season Awards
We have arrived at the midpoint of the 2017 fantasy football season, and what better way to celebrate than to have a mid-season award ceremony? We’ve complied a list of the best, the worst, and the in-betweens of the 2017 fantasy football season thus far. So sit back, grab a cold beverage, and enjoy the light reading.
Mid Season MVP:
Todd Gurley (LA Rams) and Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs)
Due to the extremely close numbers for our top two candidates, we have decided to hand out co-MVP honors. Todd Gurley is currently leading all running backs in points (137) averaging an outstanding 19.6 ppg in standard scoring. Gurley has looked much like the version we saw in his rookie season in which he ran for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kareem Hunt has been equally impressive thus far in his young career. He had an incredibly impressive NFL debut, where he put up 41 points against the defending champs. He is averaging 19.4 ppg and hasn’t scored under 10 points all season. These two receive this award because of the scarcity of elite running back talent and the plethora of injuries that occur at the position.
Best Quarterback:
Alex Smith, Kansas City
Raise your hand if you thought Alex smith would be the top scoring quarterback after 7 weeks of the season. If you did, well then you should probably buy a lottery ticket with that lucky guess. Alex smith currently paces the entire league in points with 156 and has been a constant scoring machine every week (has scored at least 14 points every week).
Best Running Back:
Todd Gurley and Kareem Hunt
See mid-season mvp above.
Best Wide Receiver:
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
Antonio Brown was likely the first wide receiver off the board in your draft this August, and those that drafted him are most assuredly pleased with his production. Brown has scored 100 fantasy points thus far, which is 23 more than the next closest receiver. He is currently leading in receptions (52), yards (765), and targets (84). His dominance of the position makes him the obvious choice for top receiver.
Best Tight End:
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
Although Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce are posting similar numbers, Ertz’s production has been a slightly better. Ertz is currently leading in receptions (39), yards (494), touchdowns (5), and targets (58) among all tight ends. Ertz who has been a breakout candidate for years seems to have finally put it all together this season.
Best D/ST:
Jacksonville Jaguars
Another surprising name on this list is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are currently running away with the defense of the year title. So far they have scored a total of 102 fantasy, which is points 22 more than the next closest. With the additions of Calais Campbell and AJ Bouye to the already talented Jalen Ramsey, Telvin Smith, and Malik Jackson, the Jaguars have been one of the most improved defenses this year.
Kickers:
Greg Zuerlein, LA Rams
Greg “the leg” Zuerlein has been very accurate this season going a perfect 21 for 21 on his extra points, and 21 for 22 on his field goal attempts (3 for 3 on 50 plus).
Runner Ups:
QB- Carson wentz, Tom Brady
RB-Leonard Fornette
WR- Deandre Hopkins, Tyreke Hill
TE- Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce
D/ST- Detroit Lions, LA Rams
K- Ryan Succop
Fantasy Duds
Quarterback:
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
A year removed from being fantasy football’s second-best quarterback, Matty Ice has fallen to QB 25 through 7 weeks of the 2017 season. Without ex-offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan calling the shots, Ryan has struggled to be fantasy relevant let alone win real life games.
Running Back:
Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders
Behind one of the best offensive lines in the league, “beast mode” has only amassed 266 yards on 72 carries (3.7 yards per carry) and scored only two rushing touchdowns. He’s also been a non-factor in the passing game (4 receptions for 38 yards), which is less than encouraging.
Wide Receiver:
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
In week 7 Amari Cooper exploded for 11 receptions, 211 yards, and 2 touchdowns, and while this is an awesome game; if you’re a Cooper owner you are very aware of the early season struggles. From weeks 1-6 Cooper only caught 18 balls for 146 yards and 1 score, which included a three week stretch (weeks 3-5) where he didn’t post a single point in standard scoring leagues.
Tight End:
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins
Like Cooper, Reed also had a big game in week 7, posting an 8 catch 64 yards, and 2-touchdown performance. Before his breakout game his highest scoring game in standard scoring was 4 points in week 2 against the LA Rams. Even with his latest performance, Reed still only ranks 20th among tight ends.
D/ST:
Kansas City Chiefs
A consensus top-3 defense entering the year, the Chiefs defense currently ranks as the 23rd overall D/ST. The Chiefs defense has given up on average 396.3 yards per game, which is good for 4th worst in the league. They have also given up 22.7 ppg, which is 12th worst in the league. With all the talent they possess you’ll be hard pressed to find a more disappointing defense this year.
Kicker:
Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos
The Denver kicker has missed 5 field goals so far this season including both his attempts from 50+.
Dishonorable Mention:
QB- Andy Dalton
RB-Eddie Lacy, Jay Ajayi
WR- Julio Jones, Brandon Marshall
TE- Eric Ebron
D/ST- New England Patriots
K- Phil Dawson
Other Mid-Season Awards
Rookie Teams–
All-Rookie First Team:
Quarterback- Deshaun Watson
Running Back- Kareem Hunt
Running Back- Leonard Fournette
Wide Receiver- Cooper Kupp
Wide Receiver- JuJu Smith-Schuster
Tight End- Evan Engram
All-Rookie Second Team:
Quarterback- N/A
Running Back- Alvin Kamara
Running Back- Aaron Jones
Wide Receiver-Kenny Golladay
Wide Receiver-Taywan Taylor
Tight End- OJ Howard
Wavier Wire Pick-Up of the Year:
Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins
Biggest Disappointment of the Year:
Losing David Johnson to injury week 1.
Top Sleeper Pick:
QB- Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest Bust:
RB- Eddie Lacy, Seattle Seahawks
Most Frustrating/Inconsistent Player (goes off one week and sucks the next):
QB- Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Player that Should be a Boss, but Isn’t:
WR- Matavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers
All-Injury Team:
QB- Aaron Rodgers
RB- David Johnson
RB- Dalvin Cook
WR- Odell Beckham Jr.
WR- Allen Robinson
TE- Greg Olsen
