Quarterback
MVP: Joe Burrow (Bengals)
Burrow was nothing short of incredible (412 YDS/3 TD's/4 CAR/25 YDS/TD) against a good Broncos defense as he carried the Bengals to a win in an OT thriller that kept their slim playoff hopes alive. Even with his modest rushing stats, the MVP-caliber season he put together in 2024 should make him a strong contender to be a top 3 QB off the board in 2025.
Honorable Mentions: Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers), Jayden Daniels (Commanders), Brock Purdy (49ers)
LVP: C.J. Stroud (Texans)
Stroud delivered one final kick in the balls to his fantasy mangers this season as he put together yet another scoreless with an INT performance (185 YDS/INT, 7 Rushing YDS) against the Ravens in a deflating blowout loss on Christmas Day. This was one of the more alarming sophomore slump seasons we've seen in a while, and he seems like a strong candidate to slide down to the QB2 ranks in 2025 as a result.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jordan Love (Packers), Matthew Stafford (Rams), Geno Smith (Seahawks)
Running Back
MVP: Jonathan Taylor (Colts)
Say hello to the 2024 consolation bracket MVP everyone! While his teammates were busy eating shit in one of the funniest losses of the season, Taylor was taking full advantage of playing such a helpless Giants defense-picking up 137 scrimmage YDS and 2 rushing TD's on 34 touches (32 carries, 2 receptions). Despite a 2024 campaign that was mostly disappointing prior to this late season explosion, Taylor's stranglehold on the backfield touches paired with the Colts ongoing QB troubles makes him a lock to be a top 20 pick next season.
Honorable Mentions: Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), Derrick Henry (Ravens), Bijan Robinson (Falcons)
LVP: De'Von Achane (Dolphins)
The absence of Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle surprisingly didn't open things up at all for Achane as he gained 38 YDS on just 12 touches (10 carries, 2 receptions) against the Browns on Sunday. As legit as his two-way and explosive play capabilities are, his questionable durability and unpredictable volume makes him hard to trust as anything more than an RB2 at the moment.
Dishonorable Mentions: Joe Mixon (Texans), Breece Hall (Jets), Rachaad White (Buccaneers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Tee Higgins (Bengals)
Higgins picked a great time to have his best game of 2024. The 5th-year pro was Joe Burrow's favorite target against the Broncos, hauling in 11 passes for 131 YDS and 3 TD's on the afternoon. It's not a secret that Higgins will be hitting free agency in March and his value for 2025 will be completely tied to whether he wants to remain in Cincy as a WR2 or go elsewhere and become a WR1.
Honorable Mentions: Malik Nabers (Giants), DeVonta Smith (Eagles), Mike Evans (Buccaneers)
LVP: Terry McLaurin (Commanders)
This dud by McLaurin (1 REC/5 YDS) wasn't for a lack of targets as Jayden Daniels looked his way 7 times in the OT victory over the Falcons, he just had a really hard time getting open against A.J Terrell and Daniels failed to hit him on the rare occasions that he ran free. The ever-reliable McLaurin-who put together his 5th straight 1,000+ YD season and nearly doubled his previous career-high TD total with 12 scores in 2024-will be a solid WR2 option heading into next season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jayden Reed (Packers), DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs), Zay Flowers (Ravens)
Tight End
MVP: Trey McBride (Cardinals)
Look who finally scored a touchdown! McBride's maiden voyage into the endzone in 2024 was actually the only offensive points the Cardinals scored against the Rams last Saturday night as they suffered their 5th loss in their last 6 games, but their dismal showing wasn't from a lack of effort from McBride as he caught a game-high 12 passes for 123 YDS. Despite his lack of TD's, McBride's excellent yardage (1,081) and reception (104) totals made him the overall TE3 for this season. It would be a huge shock if he wasn't a top 60 pick in 2025.
Honorable Mentions: Zach Ertz (Commanders), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Sam LaPorta (Lions)
LVP: Hunter Henry (Patriots)
A glorious revenge game wasn't in the cards for Henry against the Chargers last Saturday as he failed to catch either of his targets on a day where the Patriots offense was embarrassingly limp even by their low standards. Henry's fantasy usefulness in 2025 will entirely depend on what the Pats WR room ends up looking like.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cole Kmet (Bears), Jake Ferguson (Cowboys), Dalton Kincaid (Bills)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Eagles
What a redemption game for the Eagles after their rough day in Landover in Week 16. Vic Fangio's group got 4 takeaways (2 fumble recoveries, 2 INT's-1 of which was returned for a TD) and a sack while surrendering just 7 points to a Cowboys offense that was completely out of whack without CeeDee Lamb in the lineup. A DC change and total overhaul of the DB group completely returned the swagger to this unit after their pathetic finish to 2023. They should be one of the first D/ST's off the board next season.
Honorable Mentions: Ravens, Bills, Chiefs
LVP: Colts
Kudos to the Colts for ruining the run of D/ST's obliterating the Giants in spectacular fashion by surrendering 45 POINTS to Drew Lock and co. in a Week 17 loss that eliminated them from playoff contention. For reference purposes, the Giants had scored just 59 points in their previous 5 games. The Colts couldn't even a log or a sack or a takeaway! Regardless of whether or not the Colts elect to retain Shane Steichen, there's simply no way that Gus Bradley can return as DC in 2025. They've had a bottom 6 scoring defense in each of his 3 seasons on the job and this madness simply has to stop at some point.
Dishonorable Mentions: Steelers, 49ers, Packers
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