2024 Fantasy Season Awards
My version of an award show for the 2024 fantasy season.
Today, we will be doing a fantasy award “show”, highlighting key players from this past fantasy season. With the 2 week lull between the conference championships and the Super Bowl, figured this would be the right time to recap the 2024 season.
There will be seven total awards, which are listed below:
Rookie of the Year
Best Late Round Value
Biggest “What If?”
Most Improved Player
Biggest Bust - Early Rounds
Biggest Bust - Later Rounds
Most Valuable Player
These candidates and winners are all subjective opinions of my own, and we’re not the result of any sort of voting. More-so than giving out the “awards” themselves, I just thought this would be a useful exercise to analyze and recap the 2024 season from a broader view, talking about some of the most (and least) impactful players from this past season.
Also, if you are interested in an update on upcoming offseason content, that will be at the bottom of this article.
Now, let’s dive in!
Rookie of the Year
Candidates: Bucky Irving, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Brock Bowers, Jayden Daniels
Honorable Mention: Ladd McConkey
Bucky Irving
8th in FP/G (17.1) among RBs following the Bucs bye week
Finished season with absolutely elite efficiency, 5th in YPC (5.42), 3rd in MTF/Att (0.26), 4th in YACo/Att (3.02), 5th in explosive run % (6.8%).
Malik Nabers
8th in FP/G (14.6) among all WRs this season
2nd in NFL in TPRR (32%), very efficient 2.30 YPRR
Brian Thomas Jr.
11th in FP/G among WRs, led all WRs in FP/G in fantasy playoffs (wks 15-17)
11th in YPRR (2.56), 2nd in NFL in TPRR (32%) following Jags bye in week 12
Brock Bowers
2nd among all TEs in FP/G at 12.2 (led in total FP at 206.7)
3rd among TEs in TPRR (27%), 5th in YPRR (2.11)
Broke several rookie records - 112 receptions (rookie TE and ALL positions), 1,194 receiving yards (rookie TE record)
Jayden Daniels
6th among all QBs in FP/G (21.5)
6th in catchable throw rate (77.8%), 2nd among all QBs in rush yards (891) and rush YPG (52.4)
Summary: This was a really strong year for the rookies, so much so that the WR13 in total HPRR fantasy points (Ladd) was left off the candidate list as an honorable mention. That being said, it was really tough deciding between this group. Ultimately, Brian Thomas Jr., who finished as the WR4 in total fantasy points feels like the best choice here. His torrid stretch in the most important weeks of the fantasy season (wks 15-17), averaging a league-leading 23.9 HPPR FP/G in this time, ultimately gave him the nod for me.
Winner: Brian Thomas Jr.
Best Late Round Value
Candidates: Bucky Irving, Jonnu Smith, Bo Nix, Baker Mayfield, Chuba Hubbard
Bucky Irving
See previous section for Bucky’s awesome efficiency
Drafted as the RB52 overall, finished as RB18 (13.2 FP/G) and RB8 (17.1 FP/G) post-bye
Jonnu Smith
Among tight ends: T-1st in TPRR (28%), 4th in YPRR (2.23), 4th in both receptions (88) and rec YPG (52.0)
Drafted as the TE24, finished as TE5 in FP/G (10.5)
Bo Nix
6th in passing TDs (29) this season
Drafted as QB26, finished season as QB8 with 19.3 FP/G
Baker Mayfield
T-2nd in passing TDs (41), while 7th in both YPA (7.89) and CPOE (4.8%)
Drafted as QB22, finished as QB4 with 22.6 FP/G
Chuba Hubbard
7th among RBs in rush YPG (79.7), 10th in YPC (4.78), 11th in explosive run rate (6%), 7th in YACo/Att (2.70)
Drafted as RB46, finished as RB12 in FP/G (14.9)
Summary: It really came down to the two Buccaneers along with Chuba here. Nix and Jonnu were great, but the other guys were producing at a higher level with relatively similar costs. It was tight race between the remaining three, but I ultimately crown Bucky the winner here. His elite production down the stretch of the season is what gives him the edge for me.
Winner: Bucky Irving
Biggest “What If?”
Candidates: Stefon Diggs, Rashee Rice, Jayden Reed, Josh Downs, Chris Godwin
Stefon Diggs
Efficient with a 25% TPRR and 1.97 YPRR
Was the WR10 in total fantasy points before tearing his ACL in week 8
Rashee Rice
2nd in NFL in both TPRR (36%) and YPRR (3.60) through first 3 weeks of the season
Led NFL in receptions (24) and was 2nd in rec yards (288) before having a season-ending knee injury
Jayden Reed
Weeks 1-9: 2.84 YPRR, 68.9 rec YPG, 21.2% 1st Read %, GB was 14th in PROE (filtering out weeks w/o Love)
Weeks 10-18: 1.66 YPRR, 29.6 rec YPG, 17.8% 1st Read %, GB was 29th in PROE
The “What If?” here lies in what would the back half of Reed’s season have been like if the Packers would’ve continued to pass at a league average rate.
Josh Downs
With Richardson: 25% TPRR, 2.15 YPRR, 48.3 rec YPG, 26.8% 1st Read %
With Flacco: 34% TPRR, 2.40 YPRR, 66.4 rec YPG, 32.4% 1st Read %
What If Downs had Flacco (or competent QB play) all season?
Chris Godwin
7th in TPRR (28%), 9th in YPRR (2.62), 6th in rec YPG (82.3), 3rd in TDs (5) from weeks 1-8
Was 4th in FP/G (16.1) among all WRs prior to his season-ending injury in week 8
Summary: This one felt pretty easy to narrow down to the top two, which was Rashee Rice and Chris Godwin for me. They were producing at different level in comparison to these other guys. I ultimately chose Rashee Rice as the winner here. He looked like a bonafide stud ascending in year 2 in an offense that was in need of his talent. I think he had a real chance at a top-3 finish.
Winner: Rashee Rice
Most Improved Player
Candidates: Chuba Hubbard, Chase Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jerry Jeudy, Jameson Williams
Honorable Mention: Rico Dowdle
Chuba Hubbard
Jumped from 3.79→4.78 YPC this year
Finished as RB33 in FP/G in 2023 (9.6), yet RB12 in FP/G this year (14.9)
Chase Brown
Went from 44→229 rush att and 14.9→61.9 rush YPG. Became absolute workhorse from week 9 on, averaging nearly 19 carries per game and 78.9 rush YPG.
Totaled just 46.5 FP in 2023, yet had 229 in 2024. Averaged 18.4 FP/G from week 9 on (5th among all RBs).
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Went from 1.39→1.96 YPRR and 36.9→66.5 rec YPG. Broke out in week 8, registering 81.1 rec YPG and an elite 2.61 YPRR from that point on.
Was the WR57 in FP/G in 2023 (7.0), while WR20 in 2024 (11.9 FP/G). WR12 from week 8 on.
Jerry Jeudy
Jumped from 54→90 total receptions, and 758→1,229 total rec yards
Finished as WR55 in 2023 (7.2 FP/G), yet was WR26 this year (11.5 FP/G). Was WR2 from weeks 8-15.
Jameson Williams
Totaled just 30 catches (16% TPRR) and a 1.40 YPRR in 2023, while up at 59 receptions (20% TPRR) and a very efficient 2.14 YPRR in 2024.
Was the WR64 in 2023 (6.4 FP/G), yet jumped into the top 20 WRs this year finishing as WR18 (12.3 FP/G).
Summary: While all of the receivers here make a good case, as does Chuba Hubbard, nobody had an ascension quite like Chase Brown. From a change-of-pace RB as a rookie with just 44 total carries, to a bonafide workhorse playing nearly every snap and producing at a top-5 RB level down the stretch, he felt like the clear correct decision for this award.
Winner: Chase Brown
Biggest Bust - Early Rounds
Candidates: Tyreek Hill, Travis Etienne, DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Jaylen Waddle
Honorable Mention: Christian McCaffrey
Tyreek Hill
Finished 2023 season as WR2 (19.6 FP/G), major efficiency drops going from a 37%→25% TPRR and 3.96→1.99 YPRR
Drafted as WR2, finished as WR33 (10.5 FP/G)
Travis Etienne
Brutal efficiency (3.72 YPC, 0.09 MTF/Att) and ended up being out-carried by Tank Bigsby (10.5 vs 10 rushes per game)
Drafted as RB11, finished down at RB41 (just 7.4 FP/G after 14.9 in 2023)
DK Metcalf
Really struggled down the stretch, with just a 20% TPRR and 1.77 YPRR from week 8 on. He was at a 23% TPRR and 2.22 YPRR in 2023.
Drafted as WR21, finished as WR51 from week 8 onward
Deebo Samuel
Dropped from a 25%→20% TPRR and 2.39→1.69 YPRR. Had just 51 receptions on the season (3.4 per game).
Was drafted as WR12, finished as WR49 (8.6 FP/G)
Jaylen Waddle
Huge efficiency drop-offs, going from 29%→19% TPRR and 2.82→1.74 YPRR. Went from 69.7→49.6 rec. YPG, and became clear 3rd target on his team (15.4% tgt share).
Drafted as WR13, finished as WR53 (8.0 FP/G)
Summary: All of these guys feel like great bust candidates, yet there can only be one winner. Ultimately, Tyreek Hill is my choice here. I think the difference between Tyreek’s disappointing season and the rest of these guys was his cost. While the rest of these guys were late 2nd-4th round picks, Tyreek was a top 5 selection heading into the year. It’s much harder to overcome the production (or lack thereof) that Tyreek gave you in the 1st round, compared to the rest of these players drafted a couple rounds later.
Winner: Tyreek Hill
Biggest Bust - Later Rounds
Candidates: Anthony Richardson, CJ Stroud, Zamir White, Kyle Pitts, Dalton Kincaid
Anthony Richardson
Richardson was arguably worse in year 2, finishing 34th in ANY/A (4.74) and dead last in CPOE (-6.1%). He threw just 8 pass TDs to 12 INTs in 11 starts, getting benched for Joe Flacco in the process.
Drafted as QB5, finished as QB 18 in FP/G (16.2)
CJ Stroud
Major sophomore slump for Stroud, just 27th in both ANY/A (5.44) and CPOE (0.1%). Last year, he was 2nd among all QBs in ANY/A (7.49).
Drafted as QB6, finished as QB28 with just 13.9 FP/G. Was 9th in FP/G in 2023.
Zamir White
Classic dead-zone RB case here. Zamir flashed in late 2023 averaging just shy of 100 rush ypg and 4.73 YPC over weeks 15-18. However, he was abysmal in 2024, with a 2.82 YPC and 0.08 MTF/Att. He ultimately lost his job to.. Alexander Mattison.
Drafted as RB26, finished as RB69 with just 3.5 FP/G
Kyle Pitts
Clear 4th target in ATL offense with a 12.5% target share and an 11.3% 1st Read %
Drafted as TE6, finished as TE19 with just 6.3 FP/G
Dalton Kincaid
Did not take year 2 leap, and was a part-time player with just a 57.7% route share. 4th on Bills in rec YPG (34.5)
Drafted as TE5, finished as TE20 with 6.1 FP/G
Summary: Like the early round bust section, these guys all make strong cases. Ultimately, I think the sky-high expectations of CJ Stroud and the Texans offense give him the edge as biggest bust of the group. Dropping from 19.0 to 13.9 FP/G while falling flat on his face in one of the most hyped up offenses heading into the season was a mega-disappointment.
Winner: CJ Stroud
Most Valuable Player
Candidates: Ja’marr Chase, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, Lamar Jackson
Ja’marr Chase
Triple Crown winner with 1708 rec yards, 127 receptions, and 17 rec TDs. Elite 2.45 YPPR.
Led all WRs in FP/G (20.0) and total FP (339.5)
Saquon Barkley
Broke 2k rush yards with a ridiculous 125.3 rush YPG. He was 2nd in YPC (5.81) and 4th in explosive run rate (7.2%).
Easily led all RBs in FP/G (21.3), despite being RB6 in draft season
Derrick Henry
Just shy of 2k rush yards (1,921), leading all RBs in YPC (5.91) and rush TDs (16).
Finished as the RB3 in FP/G (19.3)
Bijan Robinson
3rd in NFL in total rush yards with 1,456. Got particularly hot after 1st few weeks, averaging just shy of 100 rush YPG and leading all RBs in FP/G from week 6 on.
Finished as the RB4 overall (18.3 FP/G)
Lamar Jackson
Led all QBs in YPA (8.80) and ANY/A (9.38). Was 2nd in passing TDs (41), while also leading all QBs in rush YPG (53.8)
Finished as the clear QB1 (25.8), outscoring QB2 in total FP (439.4) by over 50 total points
Summary: While all 5 of these guys had incredible seasons in their own rights, it came down to a pretty clear top 2 for the MVP. That top 2 is Ja’marr Chase and Saquon Barkley. Ultimately, Barkley gets the crown for me due to his higher FP/G and his draft cost being outside the top 5 RBs. Just an insane season from Barkley this year, after being casted off by many as old and washed.
Winner: Saquon Barkley
That wraps up the 2024 fantasy season awards. Onto 2025 we go!
I’ll be dropping my first article on the 2025 season rather soon, before the Super Bowl takes place. This article will be an in-depth overview of opening 2025 ADPs, based of Underdog’s freshly released 2025 Big Board contest.
I have plenty of other content for the 2025 season coming here throughout the offseason as well. This includes rookie breakdowns, ADP discussions, draft strategy, 2024 data reviews, and much more.
I will also be dropping a full 2025 draft guide this offseason, which will include player rankings for redraft, dynasty, and best ball, as well as a ton of other information and data that will help you draft effectively for the upcoming season. The draft guide will be completely free for all paid Substack subscribers, or a one time $29.99 fee for anyone who is not a paid subscriber. If you are not currently a paid subscriber, you can subscribe at any point to gain access to this draft guide when it comes out.
And last but not least, the Super Bowl preview article will (of course) be out next week.
Tons of content coming your guys way. Stay tuned!
Can’t wait for next year. Great as always