Quarterback
MVP: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
Aaron Rodgers' ridiculous December continued with yet another eye-popping performance at Lambeau Field. The 2-time MVP shredded the Vikings D for 360 total yards (347 passing, 13 rushing) and was responsible for all 5 TD's (4 passing, 1 rushing) the Packers scored in an easy 38-25 win. Rodgers returned to dominant form in 2016 after a middling 2015 and should be a contender to be the 1st quarterback taken in 2017.
Honorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Tyrod Taylor (Bills), Kirk Cousins (Redskins)
LVP: Matthew Stafford (Lions)
Matthew Stafford's fairy tale-esque 2016 campaign didn't exactly end on the best note. While he wasn't bad enough to single-handily cost someone a championship, his owners certainly expected better than the 260 YD/0 TD/1 INT/1 Rush TD/1 FUM Lost line he put up against a merely decent Cowboys defense that has gotten burned by top-end passing offenses throughout the season. Stafford was a top 3-5 fantasy quarterback for a majority of this season and provided unreal value for his 10th-12th round draft position.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cam Newton (Panthers), Drew Brees (Saints), Eli Manning (Giants)
Running Back
MVP: David Johnson (Cardinals)
It's fitting that the NFL's most overlooked offensive player brought home the MVP honors during fantasy football title week. David Johnson was the driving force behind the Cardinals impressive upset victory in Week 16, picking up 136 total yards (95 rushing, 41 receiving) and 3 TD's on 32 touches against the Seahawks tough defense. Johnson proved naysayers like myself that questioned his status as a top 5 overall pick horribly wrong by morphing into the most consistent player in all of fantasy football in 2016. Barring a serious injury in Week 17 or OTA's, Johnson should be the uncontested number 1 pick in 2017.
Honorable Mentions: Jay Ajayi (Dolphins), Le'Veon Bell (Steelers), Mark Ingram (Saints)
LVP: Jeremy Hill (Bengals)
Leave it to Jeremy Hill to put up his worst performance of the season when it matters most. Hill undoubtedly cost some people a championship with his embarrassing 7 carry/8-yard performance against the Texans on Saturday night. Despite this crippling dud and an underwhelming YPC (3.8), Hill's nose for the endzone (9 TD's, tied with DeMarco Murray for 8th among RB's) and strong ball security (0 fumbles on the year) made him a serviceable RB2 on the whole.
Dishonorable Mentions: Latavius Murray (Raiders), DeMarco Murray (Titans), Jonathan Stewart (Panthers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Jordy Nelson (Packers)
Per usual, Jordy Nelson was the primary beneficiary of Aaron Rodgers' stellar day through the air. The Vikings lauded secondary had no answers for Nelson as he scooped up 154 YDS and 2 TD's on 9 receptions without any semblance of difficulty. Outside of Antonio Brown and Mike Evans, I don't think there was a more valuable fantasy wideout this season than Nelson.
Honorable Mentions: Doug Baldwin (Seahawks), Dez Bryant (Cowboys), Sammy Watkins (Bills)
LVP: Demaryius Thomas (Broncos)
After 3 straight weeks of being the only Broncos offensive player to deliver respectable numbers, Demaryius Thomas finally fell on his face against the Chiefs. A combination of sloppy conditions and failure to get on the same page with Trevor Siemian led to Thomas having his worst outing of the season (3 REC/20 YDS). Despite consistently subpar quarterback play and fellow starting wideout Emmanuel Sanders continuing to cut into his targets, Thomas managed to be one of the most reliable WR2's in the league this season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos), Jordan Matthews (Eagles), Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)
Tight End
MVP: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
Travis Kelce capped off his unreal season with an absolutely sensational performance. The Broncos linebackers and safeties simply couldn't cover Kelce as he put up 160 YDS and a TD on 11 receptions against the league's best pass defense. With 84 REC, 1,117 YDS and 4 TD's through 15 games, Kelce managed to consistently deliver for his owners at a position that had no shortage of duds in 2016.
Honorable Mentions: Antonio Gates (Chargers), Jimmy Graham (Seahawks), Eric Ebron (Lions)
LVP: Zach Ertz (Eagles)
After being the team's leading receiver for 3 straight weeks, The Eagles suddenly shied away from Zach Ertz in Week 16. While Ertz did reel in both of his targets for 33 yards, the Eagles turned to Nelson Agholor (!) and the running game to take out the Giants on Thursday night. Ertz came on very strong down the stretch and should continue to be an integral piece in Doug Pederson's offense moving forward.
Dishonorable Mentions: Coby Fleener (Saints), Hunter Henry (Chargers), Kyle Rudolph (Vikings)
Defense
MVP: New England Patriots
For the 2nd straight week, the New York Jets dysfunctional offense provided fantasy points galore for the opposing defense. The Patriots netted 3 INT's, 2 sacks and a fumble recovery against the NFL's biggest dumpster fire in their effortless 41-3 victory on Christmas Eve. While they've certainly delivered over the past month, the Patriots D was pretty average on the whole and didn't provide a great return on their 7th-9th round draft position.
Honorable Mentions: Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
LVP: Seattle Seahawks
If you play in a league that rewards strong defensive play, the Seahawks D likely screwed you over in Week 16. Despite facing a Cardinals offense that has been turnover and sack-prone throughout 2016, the Seahawks only mustered 1 sack and a fumble recovery in a painful 34-31 loss on Saturday afternoon. The Seahawks D have been an up-and-down all year and provided a lot of headaches for the people that used a relatively high draft pick on them.
Dishonorable Mentions: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos
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