Quarterback
MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)
The final stage of Allen's breakout campaign is complete: He finally put up a good game against the Patriots. Saying it was a good game is actually underselling it, Allen straight up shredded the suddenly reeling Pats for 320 YDS and 4 TD's in an easy win for the new kings of the AFC East. Allen has spent this season proving all of his detractors like myself (I dubiously named him the most overvalued fantasy QB ahead of this season) with smart, consistently strong play and that clear step forward he took this year should help him land among the top 3 QB's off the board in next year's drafts.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Brady (Buccaneers), Deshaun Watson (Texans), Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
LVP: Kyler Murray (Cardinals)
Coming into championship week ranked as a top 3 option at the position, a visibly banged up Murray struggled to do much of anything against a relentless 49ers team-finishing the game with 322 (247 passing, 75 rushing) scoreless YDS and an INT. Even with a largely underwhelming stretch run, Murray was a top-end QB1 in 2020 and his dual threat ability paired with the continued development of his rapport with DeAndre Hopkins should make him an appealing early round pick in 2021.
Dishonorable Mentions: Drew Brees (Saints), Justin Herbert (Chargers), Baker Mayfield (Browns)
Running Back
MVP: Alvin Kamara (Saints)
In all my years playing fantasy football, I can't recall a championship week performance as absurdly dominant as this. After dropping mediocre numbers for roughly a month, Kamara came roaring back to post a historic 22 CAR/155 YDS/6 TD performance against the Vikings on Christmas Day. Anyone who won a championship because of this 50+ point explosion is forever indebted to Kamara and quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up being enough to vault him past Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook in the conversation for the #1 overall pick in 2021 drafts.
Honorable Mentions: Myles Gaskin (Dolphins), David Johnson (Texans), Jeff Wilson Jr. (49ers)
LVP: Le'Veon Bell (Chiefs)
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire injured and the lowly Falcons coming into Arrowhead, fantasy pundits and players alike seemed to think that Bell was finally going to enjoy his long-awaited resurgence. Instead, Andy Reid cooked up yet another overwhelmingly pass-happy gameplan and left Bell with only 8 touches for 39 YDS (7 carries/30 YDS, 1 REC/9 YDS) in a disconcertingly sloppy offensive performance for the defending champs. Regardless of where Bell plays in 2021, he'll be nothing more than a late round flier as he continues to underwhelm since returning from his self-imposed football hiatus in 2018.
Dishonorable Mentions: Josh Jacobs (Raiders), D'Andre Swift (Lions), Melvin Gordon (Broncos)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Davante Adams (Packers)
Even driving snow can't slow down Adams. The Packers top wideout was uncoverable yet again-posting 142 YDS and 3 YDS on 11 receptions in a blowout victory over a formidable Titans squad. Heading into 2021, he's the uncontested top fantasy wideout and a likely top 5 overall pick.
Honorable Mentions: Stefon Diggs (Bills), Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Jamison Crowder (Jets)
LVP: Brandon Aiyuk (49ers)
George Kittle's return and a run-driven gameplan with 3rd stringer C.J. Bethard under center put the brakes on an impressive fantasy stretch run for Aiyuk-as he mustered just 2 touches (a reception and a carry) for 31 YDS against the Cardinals. Even with a conceivably reduced targetshare with the prospective return of a healthy Kittle and Deebo Samuel in 2021, the speed and YAC ability Aiyuk showed during his rookie year should make him an intriguing mid-round option.
Dishonorable Mentions: Corey Davis (Titans), Marvin Jones Jr. (Lions), A.J. Brown (Titans)
Tight End
MVP: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
In a development that should shock absolutely no one, the only member of the Chiefs offense that didn't put up pedestrian numbers in an ugly 17-14 win over the Falcons was Kelce. The stud TE broke the single season receiving yards record for the position that George Kittle set just last season with a 7 REC/98 YD/1 TD day. With the possible exception of Rob Gronkowski's monstrous 2011 campaign (90 REC/1,327 YDS/17 TD's), Kelce has put together the best season we've ever seen out of a TE and undoubtedly made a lot of fantasy owners who spent a top 25-30 pick on him very happy in the process.
Honorable Mentions: Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers), Darren Waller (Raiders), Hayden Hurst (Falcons)
LVP: Robert Tonyan (Packers)
Huge games from Davante Adams and rookie running back A.J. Dillon relegated Tonyan to an expendable secondary contributor against the Titans, as he reeled in 1-of-2 targets for 17 YDS. While he's largely TD dependent (his 10 scores do a lot to prop up an otherwise average 50 REC/568 YDS statline), Tonyan still did enough this season to establish himself as a TE1 and should wind up going in the top 10 rounds of 2021 drafts.
Dishonorable Mentions: T.J. Hockenson (Lions), Tyler Higbee (Rams), Noah Fant (Broncos)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Buccaneers
Those who stuck with the erratic Bucs for Week 16 were rewarded with a solid performance against a Lions team that didn't even bother trying-amassing 4 sacks, an INT and FUM Rec in a 44-7 victory that clinched them their first playoff spot since 2007. As currently constructed, this group is just alright and will need to add some more playmakers if they want to be a staple on the fantasy radar in 2021.
Honorable Mentions: 49ers, Ravens, Seahawks
LVP: Saints
The Saints defense proved once again why they can't be taken seriously as a top-tier group by getting lit up by the Vikings (33 points allowed, 2 sacks, 0 takeways) in Week 16. Even with their borderline dominant play in the middle of the year, New Orleans shouldn't be considered a top-tier fantasy defense until they're able to prove their bursts of strong play are something other than a quick mirage.
Dishonorable Mentions: Colts, Texans, Patriots
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