Quarterback
MVP: Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
Apparently Jackson doesn't even need to be in South Florida to torch the Dolphins. The Ravens signalcaller had the best passing performance of his career as he hung 321 YDS and 5 TD's on the team he grew up rooting for in Pompano Beach while adding another 35 YDS on the ground. After some early growing pains, Jackson was brilliant in new OC Todd Monken's system and if Monken doesn't exit for the head coaching ranks during the offseason, 2024 could be even better.
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Love (Packers), Justin Fields (Bears), Kyler Murray (Cardinals)
LVP: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
Fantasy football is so silly man. Mahomes had easily his best game in over a month against the Bengals on Sunday afternoon, but since he only threw for 1 TD and 245 YDS, he had a really underwhelming showing in the fake football realm and ends up in this dreaded space. Mahomes was mighty disappointing by his lofty standards in 2023 and if Brett Veach doesn't do something about their deficiencies at WR in the offseason, Mahomes is in danger from dropping from his perennial top-3 QB draft position next summer.
Dishonorable Mentions: C.J. Stroud (Texans), Jared Goff (Lions), Matthew Stafford (Rams)
Running Back
MVP: Kyren Williams (Rams)
All credit goes to Williams' nose for the endzone because quite frankly the Giants did a pretty good of slowing him down, holding him to 87 YDS on 20 carries and 14 YDS on 2 receptions. But the sophomore back stood tall and secured one final monster day for his fantasy owners in 2023 by rushing for 3 scores in this back-and-forth contest in East Rutherford that the Giants probably should've won. Kudos to everybody that landed Williams on the waiver wire early in the year as he was revelatory in his 1st season as the Rams starting back. His dual-threat capabilities and aforementioned TD-scoring ability should be enough earn him 1st round pick status in 2024.
Honorable Mentions: Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs), James Conner (Cardinals), Jerome Ford (Browns)
LVP: Austin Ekeler (Chargers)
What a fitting conclusion to Ekeler's wildly underwhelming 2023 season. The Chargers back was only called upon to touch the ball 14 times with Easton Stick under center in a close game with the Broncos, and he turned that moderate workload into just 50 scrimmage YDS (46 rushing, 4 receiving) and a lost fumble. The bottom that was seemingly always at risk of falling out with Ekeler has finally fell out and even if he ends up in a far rosier situation with a new team next year, he'll be a mid-round pick at best.
Dishonorable Mentions: Derrick Henry (Titans), Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), Tony Pollard (Cowboys)
Wide Receiver
MVP: CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)
The Cowboys star receiver didn't have to work particularly hard to get wide-ass open against the Lions porous secondary on Saturday night and Dak Prescott took full advantage of the mismatch by peppering Lamb with targets. He finished the night with an astounding 227 YDS on 13 receptions and a 92-YD TD where he ruined Cameron Sutton's day by blowing right past him on a downfield route. A drop and fumble out of the endzone were the only things preventing Lamb from having a flat-out perfect game, but alas this was a special performance that further confirms just how special of a talent this kid is. Following his career-best campaign this season, he's a lock to be a top 5, if not 3 top overall in next year's fantasy drafts.
Honorable Mentions: Davante Adams (Raiders), D.J. Moore (Bears), Jayden Reed (Packers)
LVP: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)
Lockett just flat-out did not factor into the Seahawks gameplan against the Steelers on Sunday, as he caught just 1-of-5 targets (tied for his 2nd lowest total of the season) for 10 YDS in this brutal home loss for the 'Hawks that severely damaged their playoff hopes. While the arrival of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and ho-hum play of Geno Smith this year did hurt Lockett's numbers this season, he's too reliable and skilled of a wideout to completely write-off moving forward.
Dishonorable Mentions: Chris Olave (Saints), Tee Higgins (Bengals), Stefon Diggs (Bills)
Tight End
MVP: Isaiah Likely (Ravens)
Likely was deadly efficient against the Dolphins turning both of his receptions into TD's. Sure, the yardage total wasn't anything too crazy (42), but his owners can't complain about the results. While Likely's role with a healthy Mark Andrews remains limited, he's proven in each of the past 2 seasons that he's a viable TE1 play when Andrews is out and could earn more looks next season if the Ravens don't bring back Odell Beckham Jr. and/or Nelson Agohlor.
Honorable Mentions: David Njoku (Browns), Dallas Goedert (Eagles), Sam LaPorta (Lions)
LVP: Cole Kmet (Bears)
Kmet was effectively just deployed as a blocker versus the Falcons as he didn't even get a target in a blowout win where Justin Fields was completely dialed-in as both a passer and rusher. It was a disappointing ending to Kmet's best season as a pro to date and he should remain involved in the Bears offense moving forward barring a coaching shakeup.
Dishonorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Kyle Pitts (Falcons), Dalton Schultz (Texans)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Texans
After a rough few weeks, the Texans defense got back on track in a big way by absolutely obliterating the Titans struggling offense. They sacked Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill a combined 6 times and got a strip-sack TD on Levis in the 26-3 victory. While they're a mostly young group that is very rough around the edges, they've made some tangible progress with DeMeco Ryans at the helm and could be an interesting late-round D/ST flier in 2024.
Honorable Mentions: Jaguars, Bills, Browns
LVP: Dolphins
Injuries to Xavien Howard and Bradley Chubb combined with the Ravens offense operating in top form for the final 3 quarters of the game caused the Dolphins to get absolutely waxed in Week 17, surrendering 56 points while only counteracting the slaughter with 1 sack and a fumble recovery. This group was erratic as hell in their first year with Vic Fangio at the helm, but they did improve considerably once Jalen Ramsey returned to the lineup in late October and should benefit from having another offseason to pick up this challenging system.
Dishonorable Mentions: Steelers, Colts, Eagles
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