2024 Fantasy Football Awards

For 36 years, I have played fantasy football (first time in 1989) and enjoy debating award winners at the end of every alternative-reality campaign. My love of football started long before I played fantasy. In the Seventies and Eighties, I read Pro Football Weekly religiously and devoured every award recipient at the end of the season. It provided many hours of discussion at the local watering holes while drinking $5 pitchers—yes, a pitcher of beer for less than a pint today.

In 2020, I made the decision to kick off an annual Fantasy Football award series. Five years later, another incredible fantasy football season is in the books, and it is time to memorialize the top players again. I am honored to present the fifth annual fantasy football accolades. Four fantasy football writers—Ryan Kirksey, Colin McTamany, Will Petit and Justin Taylor—joined me to vote on seven awards and the winners are presented below.

Quarterback of the Year (Poll Points)

1.  Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (25)

2.  Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (11)

3.  Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (5)

Lamar Jackson is the unanimous top quarterback from the 2024 fantasy football season. Jackson is the only player to score over 400 fantasy points (424.4) across all positions this season. That's been accomplished just five times in 10 seasons prior, including by Jackson himself in 2019. In six seasons as the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson has never averaged less than 20.3 fantasy points per game (FFPG) in a season. His 25.7 FFPG led all quarterbacks in 2024 and was the second-highest average of his fantasy football career. When it counted most, Jackson logged 29.0 points per game during the fantasy football playoffs from Weeks 15 through 17. Only Jayden Daniels (30.9) and Jared Goff (30.7) were better.

Josh Allen is an obvious second place finisher amongst quarterbacks for these 2024 fantasy football awards. After an up-and-down start, Allen proceeded to log nine-straight games of 20.2 or more fantasy points from Weeks 6 through 15. Most notably, Allen scored 121.6 total points from Weeks 13 through 15 after the Bills' Week 12 bye. That includes performances of 51.9 points in Week 14, the final fantasy regular season week, and 41.3 points in Week 15, the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. The 2024 season is Josh Allen's fifth-straight crusade finishing as a top-three quarterback on a FPPG basis.

In third, we have Joe Burrow. However, the third-best fantasy quarterback this season is going to vary depending on who you're talking to. The case can definitely be made for rookie Jayden Daniels, Baker Mayfield, or Sam Darnold, especially with consideration to where they were drafted. Burrow, though, entered this season with concerns about last year's season-ending wrist injury. His QB3 finish with 23.0 FPPG puts those concerns to rest.

Moving forward into 2025, one thing is certain: quarterbacks who run still hold a massive advantage. After 17 weeks of play, four quarterbacks have rushed over 100 times this season: Jalen Hurts (150), Jayden Daniels (144), Lamar Jackson (130), and Josh Allen (102). All four of them finished inside the top-six on a FPPG basis with over 20.0. Heading into next season, they will likely be the consensus top-four players at the position.

- Colin McTamany

Running Back of the Year (Poll Points)

1.  Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (25)

2.  Derrick Henry (9)

3.  Bijan Robinson (8)

If a fantasy fanatic paid attention to any week of the fantasy football season, it’s clear there is no other choice for the top running back than Saquon Barkley. In a year where Christian McCaffrey’s injury opened the door for a new number one, Barkley’s move to the Philadelphia Eagles proved to be the perfect landing spot for the 27-year-old running back from Penn State.

Barkley’s season will be defined by the fact that he will finish just 100 yards short of tying Eric Dickerson’s all-time record for one season, but it is so much more than that. Barkley was the only back to average over 22 FPPG. He topped 20 points in seven games, while he fell below 10 just twice, and he also surpassed 30 five times. In the most important stretch of the season, Barkley averaged 23.3 FPPG in Weeks 11-17. 

With Barkley running away for the top spot, the second- and third-place finishers were really between Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. Henry won a tight race for second by finishing with 1,783 rushing yards, 170 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns in 16 games. Henry was one of just three backs to rush more than 300 times, and he finished second to James Cook (16) with 15 rushing touchdowns. Henry actually finished with the exact same yards per carry (5.8) as Barkley.

Bijan Robinson finally had his Arthur Smith training wheels taken off and saw his touches jump from 272 in 2023 to 335 in 2024. Whether with Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix, Robinson carved out a goal-line role that was almost unmatched in fantasy football this year. He finished with 13 total touchdowns, finishing with 51 red zone touches and 67 total targets on the year. Only Barkley and Henry topped Bijan Robinson’s 19.4 FPPG this year, and he averaged 21.8 FPPG from Weeks 13-17. 

Jahmyr Gibbs and his breakout season also deserves an honorable mention along with Josh Jacobs who was third in fantasy scoring from Weeks 11-17 this year. It was a fantastic campaign for fantasy production from the top runners.

- Ryan Kirksey

Fantasy Footballers on Fire!

Identify the fantasy football Waiver Wire Player of the Year:

RB Chase Brown, CIN: 23% 

QB Sam Darnold, MIN: 34%

RB Bucky Irving, TB: 41%

WR Jauan Jennings, SF: 2%

Scholar’s Vote: I am biased and voted for Chase Brown. Patience is a virtue in life and fantasy, and the second-year runner epitomized the age-old adage. I drafted him in SFB14 (the Scott Fish Bowl) and acquired him on as many teams as possible throughout the summer. In September, I plucked Brown off the waiver wire if available. Coming out of Illinois, I selected him on two Dynasty teams as a late-round flier. He finished among the Top 10 in PPR-scoring formats with 257 points and scored double-digit fantasy points in 13 of his last 14 games. I respectfully disagree with the masses.

“Bucky Irving for me, but what a year for pickups!” @aceholesrule

Wide Receiver of the Year (Poll Points)

1. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (25)

2. Justin Jefferson (15)

3. Amon-Ra St. Brown (4)

Cincinnati did not have the season they were hoping for as a team, but the Bengals’ overall struggles helped to create a fantastic atmosphere for fantasy football. Due to their poor defense and stellar offense, Cincinnati were involved in a lot of shootouts, setting Ja’Marr Chase up to have a fantastic fantasy football campaign.

With one week remaining in the 2024 season, Chase is on pace to record the triple crown for wide receivers by leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Going into Week 18, Chase leads the league with 117 receptions for 1,612 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those totals converted into 377.4 fantasy points (FPs). Chase crushed it down the stretch of the campaign, scoring 25.1 FPPG from Weeks 13-17. He averaged 23.6 FPPG on the season, which led all wide receivers and was four more points per game better than the Vikings' Justin Jefferson, who finished second with 19.3 FPPG.

Chase was amazingly consistent this year with only one single-digit fantasy performance with 7.5 points in Week 2 against the Chiefs. He had a season-high 55.4 points against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10 with 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns. He also had two other 40-plus fantasy point games this season. The four-year veteran was dominant all year and was a clean sweep among our voters to win our Fantasy Football Wide Receiver of the Year Award.

A change at quarterback didn't hinder Jefferson this season. He was new quarterback Sam Darnold’s favorite target and the pass-catching duo helped the Vikings to a 14-2 record entering Week 18. Jefferson has 100 catches for 1,479 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking seventh in catches, second in yards, and fifth in touchdowns. He scored 309.1 FPs, which was second to Chase. The Vikings’ home run hitter came through in the fantasy playoffs averaging 24.6 FPPG (five more points per game than his season average) in Weeks 13-17, including a season-high 36.4 points in Week 16. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown had another fantastic fantasy season for the Lions. He totaled 109 receptions for 1,186 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those numbers were good for second, fourth, and second in the NFL. St. Brown finished with 302.5 FPs, good for third in the league, and averaged 18.9 FPPG, which was fourth overall. All three game breakers led millions of fantasy owners to the postseason and possible championships.

- Justin Taylor

Tight End of the Year (Poll Points)

1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (25)

2. Trey McBride (13)

3. George Kittle (4)

So much of the conversation on Brock Bowers focuses on him as a great rookie TE, as he’s broken the records for receptions by a rookie at the position and receiving yards by a rookie of any position, but that’s selling him short. Drop the qualifier: Bowers is a great tight end, period. His 247 FPs led all Fantasy tight ends this year, and would’ve led all tight ends last year too. In fact, only three players in the last six seasons have a total higher than Brock’s 247: Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews (each a couple times), and Darren Waller (once). 

Bowers was elite this season, and the only question is what to project for him going forward. His only blemish is a lack of touchdowns with four on the year. Projecting forward, there’s no reason to expect a change in usage, which was consistent all year (and also dating back to his career at Georgia). Touchdowns can be fluky in the NFL; usage is not. If his scores ever match his other production, we could see an all-time season from Raiders’ playmaker in the near future. Congratulations to anyone who was able to roster him with a mid-round pick; it’ll cost significantly more in future drafts.

- Will Petit

Fantasy Footballers on Fire!

Who is the fantasy football Bust of the Year?

QB CJ Stroud, HOU: 22%

TE Sam LaPorta, DET: 11%

RB Christian McCaffrey, SF: 59%

WR Cooper Kupp, LAR: 8%

Scholar’s Vote: While an argument could be made for any of the above candidates, Christian McCaffrey garnered mine. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the vast majority of fantasy drafts and played in only four games. The opportunity cost of selecting the 49ers’ playmaker over other fantasy stars sank many fantasy diehards’ teams. On a side note, McCaffrey has won Fantasy  MVP and Bust of the Year in back-to-back campaigns.

“Christian McCaffrey: Terrible that injury equals a fantasy bust. I blame the beat writers for not stressing that it was more serious.” @aceholesrule

Kicker of the Year (Poll Points)

1. Chris Boswell, Dallas Cowboys (23)

2. Brandon Aubrey (17)

3. Cameron Dicker (5)

It is not a popular opinion, but I like kickers in fantasy football. I am so gleeful that Scott Fish included the option of rostering kickers in the past two SFB tournaments. Kickers are often overlooked and most fantasy experts pass over the position when prognosticating the upcoming season every summer. I enjoy strategizing about the value of kickers and tend to draft one a little earlier than most fantasy diehards. 

Also, I suggest that league commissioners change scoring parameters for kickers. In the leagues that I am commissioner, I award .1-point for every yard of a made field goal: a 44-yard FG equals 4.4 points. The additional points increases the value of the position and awards long-distance kickers. Fantasy managers must strategize great kickers against backup runners and receivers later in fantasy drafts…I love the extra layer of analytical thinking.

Over the past summer, I targeted Brandon Aubrey in all my drafts and acquired him in five of eight leagues. He concluded the campaign as the second-most productive kicker with 270 FPs based on my scoring parameters. He produced over 20 FPs five times and eclipsed 30 twice, incredibly he booted 14 FGs beyond 50 yards. The Cowboys’ kicker only failed to surpass double-digit points twice all season—unfortunately, he laid an egg in championship games last week, which might be why he finished second in the poll.

Chris Bowell is well deserving of his ranking at the top. He scored a whopping 276 FPs and connected on 12 FGs over 50 yards. For the crusade, he averaged a career-best 17.2 FPPG while booting 93.0% (40 of 43) of his kicks through the uprights. The Steelers’ kicker scored over 20 FPs six times, including twice exceeding 30. In third place, Cameron DIcker scored 249 FPs, averaging 15.5 FPPG. In fantasy championships, the Chargers’ kicker produced 26 FPs, which was the third time he scored over 20 this year. I hope all the readers consider increasing the scoring framework of kickers in fantasy leagues next year. You will not regret it.

- John Laub

Rookie of the Year (Poll Points)

1. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (20)

2. Brian Thomas (12)

3. Brock Bowers (10)

What an incredible year for Fantasy Football rookies! Brock Bowers exploits are detailed above, Brian Thomas Jr. is hitting rookie records held by guys like Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Randy Moss and either would be deserving of Fantasy ROY honors.  With apologies to them, Jayden Daniels was the rookie who took the NFL (and fantasy leagues across the country) by storm. Fantasy Football captivated each of us as a hobby because it’s FUN. And potentially profitable, but that’s also fun. If you had Daniels in your lineup this season and turned into a Washington game to see your QB work, YOU HAD FUN! His work under center was must-see-TV, especially towards the end of games. 

There’s nothing better for a fantasy player than needing “one more score” from a fantasy stud before his game ends…and getting it. The Commanders’ dual-threat signal caller provided that for his owners in record amounts: Daniels has 12 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, the most by a rookie QB in NFL history. He accounted for FIVE touchdowns in the last 30 seconds of games this season, the only QB (of any experience) to have more than three since the AFL/NFL merger. And since there’s nothing more FUN in Fantasy Football than winning the championship, Jayden Daniels delivered QB1 in BOTH the semifinals and finals in most leagues. Truly a rookie performance for the ages! 

- Will Petit

Fantasy Footballers on Fire!

Who is the fantasy football Rookie of the Year?

WR Brian Thomas, JAC: 18%

QB Jayden Daniels, WAS: 48%

TE Brock Bowers, LV: 29%

RB Bucky Irving, WAS: 5%

Scholar’s Vote: Locking in Jayden Daniels for Rookie of the Year was my easiest choice of all the 2024 fantasy accolades. I loved the former LSU quarterback coming out of school. Yet, the Commanders’ dual-threat star exceeded my expectations as a fantasy asset. His 864 rushing yards and six scores on the ground placed him among the top five fantasy quarterbacks. He added over 3,500 passing yards and posted a 25-9 TD-INT Ratio. Simply, Daniels was fantasy gold while turning sound a moribound team and leading Washington, and millions of fantasy owners, into the playoffs.

“Brock Bowers for me! In TE leagues, he was an absolute stud. I did have Brian Thomas in my three leagues that I made the playoffs. Outstanding value.” @aceholesrule 

Fantasy Football MVP (Poll Points)

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (16)

2. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (15)

3. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (6)

In the SFB14 Draft, I selected Lamar Jackson with the fourth-pick overall, and he led my team to the postseason. The Ravens bye in Week 14 torpedoed my pursuit of a title as the season came to an end without Jackson in SFB14…Ugh! I have no complaints nor any regrets. Jackson captured the Fantasy Football MVP, leading all players with 425.4 fantasy points. He passed for nearly 4,000 yards and 39 aerial strikes. More importantly, the Ravens’ star scampered for 852 yards and four scores on the ground, averaging 26.6 FPPG.

Five years ago, I joined a Dynasty league and drafted Saquon Barkley with the first-pick overall. Unfortunately, he did not lead my team to many victories during his four seasons on my roster. Luckily, the Eagles signed Barkley as a free agent, and he recorded his most productive campaign since his rookie year. He became the ninth ball carrier in NFL History to log over 2,000 yards rushing. He was the only back to produce over 20 FPPG and scored 357.3. Barkley logged over 30 fantasy points five times, including a season-best 46.2 against the Rams. I will never forget Barkley’s incredible campaign as he led my Dynasty club to a fantasy championship.  

Ja’Marr Chase finished behind Jackson and Barkley for third place in the voting and narrowly edged out Josh Allen and Joe Borrow. Entering Week 18, Chase leads all receivers in catches, yards and touchdowns. If he finishes atop the ranking in all the categories after the final week of the campaign, he would join Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992), Steve Smith (2005) and Cooper Kupp (2021) as the only players to capture the WR Triple Crown since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. Nothing else needs to be written in regard to Chase’s fantasy dominance in 2024.

- John Laub