Congratulations, Christian McCaffrey! You are the Madman’s 2023 Fantasy MVP. May you be showered with confetti by friends and family, imagine holding a wonderful trophy, then take yourself to Disneyland. You’ve earned it.
But there was a much more interesting battle than the race for MVP, and that is for top fantasy wide receiver.
Tyreek Hill seemed to have dashed away, dashed away, dashed away all season toward this award. But then he got banged up, right as CeeDee Lamb was going boom!
After a solid 18.6 PPR outing in Week 15, the first round of the fantasy playoffs, The next week, Lamb registered his sixth 25-point outing of the season, notching 25.2. Then in championship week, he went nuclear, with 40.2 — his fourth 30-plus game of the season. He, quite literally, was a league-winner.
But was it enough to rally past The Cheetah? After all, Hill recorded nine games of 25 or more and five of 30-plus. He averaged — averaged! — 26.1 through Week 13.
Hill was in the running for NFL MVP — not fantasy, not just WR, but league-wide real-world MVP. Then he tweaked his ankle in Week 14, and since he has missed one game and averaged 14.2 — with his total points (42.6) placing him 32nd among WRs since Week 14.
Lamb is tops in that time, averaging 25.8 per game and a total of 103.1, nearly 20 points more than the next best WR in that span.
Yet, Hill was significantly better than Lamb for most of the year — his 26.1 easily outpacing Lamb’s 22.1 during that stretch. But Lamb was still the WR3 in that time. And that time wasn’t the fantasy playoffs.
It seemed impossible just a few weeks ago, as impossible as Falcons 28, Patriots 3, as unlikely as the 2004 Red Sox ALCS rally, as far-fetched as Scott rallying the Beacon Town High Beavers past the Dragons without the help of Teen Wolf.
Yet it happened. CeeDee Lamb outran Tyreek Hill to the finish. And though neither caught McCaffrey in the race for MVP, Lamb does take home the coveted the Best Fantasy WR award.
Had just one true dud all season, and it came in Week 1. Averaged nearly a point more per game than scoring runner-up Jalen Hurts. Lamar Jackson made a late push, and had a huge championship week game, but it wasn’t enough to pass Allen.
McCaffrey can’t win again. Kyren Williams won in an earlier piece for best waiver pick, so neither can he. And Mostert’s cheap draft cost gives him an edge that surpasses the one extra PPR point you got from Travis Etienne over the course of the season.
Yeah, he won our Best Rookie TE, and that should disqualify him. But he outscored Travis Kelce. T.J. Hockenson was hurt down the stretch. And could we really give this to Evan Engram or George Kittle? I mean, they were fine at a thin position, but award worthy?
Jordan Love QB, Packers, vs. Bears (FanDuel $7,800/DraftKings $6,600)
Has been rolling with multiple TD passes in seven of past eight games and seven total TDs in the past two games. Could get in shootout with Justin Fields’ crew.
Melvin Gordon RB, Ravens, vs. Steelers (FD $5,500/DK N/A)
With the Ravens expected to go into rest mode having clinched the No. 1 seed, we don’t expect to see much of Gus Edwards or Justice Hill. Enter: Gordon.
Pierre Strong Jr. RB, Browns, at Bengals(FD $4,600/DK $4,000)
Similarly, not expecting much action out of Jerome Ford or Kareem Hunt. That would leave Strong to absorb the work. Isn’t Week 18 great?
Demarcus Robinson WR, Rams, at 49ers (FD $6,500/DK $4,500)
Cooper Kupp sitting out and Puka Nacua expected to leave after notching his 29-yard bonus threshold, that leaves Robinson and the rest to catches passes from Carson Wentz.
Baker Mayfield QB, Buccaneers, at Panthers (FD $7,200/DK $6,200)
Dealing with a rib issue, which can make it difficult to throw. Plus, facing a Panthers team that doesn’t give up a lot through the air. Scored in single digits in Week 13 vs. Carolina.
Elijah Mitchell RB, 49ers, vs. Rams (FD $6,600/DK $5,800)
Has been battling an illness, which could open the door for third-stringer Jordan Mason to get significant carries as the Niners employ preseason mode.
Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, Lions, vs. Vikings (FD $8,800/DK $8,600)
There isn’t a lot of incentive to go full throttle to go from the No. 3 seed to No. 2. Don’t be surprised if the Lions let off the gas in the second half to protect their health for the playoffs.
Evan Engram TE, Jaguars, at Titans (FD $6,800/DK $5,400)
QB Trevor Lawrence is questionable with a shoulder issue. We don’t like Engram’s prospects with C.J. Beathard under center. The Titans are No. 1 vs. opposing TEs this season and have given up just two TDs to them.
Daily Duel
Drew Loftis and Jarad Wilk submit dueling rosters into a DFS contest:
Site: DraftKings
Slate: Sun. main (13 games)
Type: $20 tourney
Top prize: $1M
Pot: $2.25M
QB: Justin Fields Chi (at GB) $7,200
RB: Rachaad White TB (at Car) $7,600
RB: James Conner Ari (vs. Sea) $6,100
WR: D.J. Moore Chi (at GB) $7,000
WR: Jayden Reed GB (vs. Chi) $5,700
WR: D.J. Chark Jr. Car (vs. TB) $3,700
TE: Tucker Kraft GB (vs. Chi) $3,700
Flex: Jordan Addison Min (at Det) $5,300
DST: Patriots NE (vs. NYJ) $3,600
QB: Justin Fields Chi (at GB) $7,200
RB: James Conner Ari (vs. Sea) $6,100
RB: Zamir White LV (vs. Den) $6,000
WR: D.J. Moore Chi (at GB) $7,000
WR: Greg Dortch Ari (vs. Sea) $4,600
WR: Calvin Ridley Jac (at Ten) $6,500
TE: Lucas Krull Den (at LV) $2,700
Flex: DK Metcalf Sea (at Ari) $7,200
DST: Giants NYG (vs. Phi) $2,300
For late changes to Daily Duel rosters, follow @NYPost_Loftis on X.
Season risked: $171.44
Season’s winnings: Drew $106, Jarad $60