Season Review: QB's
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MVP: Patrick Mahomes II - Kansas City Chiefs
Hard to argue much with this pick. Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts both deserve nods for their performances this year but the biggest performer was by far Patrick Mahomes. There were people who doubted Mahomes could take the top spot for QBs when he lost Tyreek Hill, but Mahomes squashed that idea as he led all QBs with 413.4 fantasy points this season. Not only did Mahomes throw for a career high 5,250 yards but he also threw his second most TDs. Not only was Mahomes stellar in the air, but he was also put up his second most rushing yards and a career high 4 TDs on the ground. Mahomes was not only the fantasy football MVP, but also the favorite for the NFL MVP as well.
Honorable Mention: Jalen Hurts
Regular Season Slinger: Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
If Jalen Hurts was able to finish out the regular season he likely would have been both the NFL MVP and the fantasy MVP. Coming into the season Hurts was ranked as the 5th QB, but Hurts was able to exceed expectations by scoring the most fantasy points per game. Hurts put up career highs all across the board with 3,701 passing yards, 35 total touchdowns, and a career high 3.67:1 passing TD:INT ratio. Hurts was the leading candidate for MVP all season long, and was on pace for the highest scoring player in all of fantasy, which outranked his 55 ADP at the beginning of the year.
Honorable Mention: Patrick Mahomes
Biggest Surprise: Geno Smith - Seattle Seahawks
Nobody thought going into 2022 that Geno Smith would lead the Seattle Seahawks into the playoffs while Russ Wilson and the Broncos gift-wrapped Seattle with a top 5 pick. Nobody thought that Geno would land in the top 15 fantasy scoring QBs, let alone as the QB6. Geno revived his career in 2022 by destroying all his personal bests in yardage and touchdowns, as well as throwing only 11 interceptions. People may have wrote off Geno, but lucky for fantasy managers, he did not write back.
Honorable Mention: Justin Fields
Biggest Letdown: Justin Herbert - LA Chargers
Justin Herbert was still a fantastic QB this year, dealing with inconsistent supporting casts, unfortunate injuries to skill players, a gate flood of a defense, and questionable coaching decisions, and still managing to bring the Chargers to the postseason. Unfortunately for Herbert owners, those variables do not get reflected in fantasy. Herbert was drafted as the 2nd QB in most leagues, yet failed to land in the top 10 QBs. He threw for the third most passing yards, yet threw for less TDs than Derek Carr, Tua Tagovailoa, and Aaron Rodgers. Herbert will be a prime candidate for a bounce back QB next year, as he will enter the season with healthy players, and hopefully some improvements on both ends of the ball.
Honorable Mention: Russell Wilson
Rising Star: Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
T-Law bounced back from last season, and it had much to do with a Doug Pederson led coaching staff. The front office made an investment in helping Lawrence's progression by spending some cash on Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and Zay Jones, all of which contributed significantly to the quick breakout for Trevor. Travis Etienne emerged as the Jaguars lead back, and is going to make a jump next year as well. Lawrence beat out all of his rookie stats with 3,901 yards 24 passing TDs and only 8 interceptions, along with adding 5 touchdowns on the ground. The Jags are likely to invest in some more help for Lawrence in the draft (maybe Jaxon Smith-Njigba?), and will get Calvin Ridley back from suspension. Lawrence proved he is on the way to be a superstar QB this year, and he is ready to take that jump in 2023.
Honorable Mention: Justin Fields
Waiver Wire Savior: Daniel Jones - NY Giants
Daniel Jones was a great pickup for most fantasy managers. He helped fantasy managers lead deep playoff runs with almost no draft capital for managers. He was available in a lot of leagues, only being owned in 64% of leagues, despite ranking 7th in fantasy scoring amongst QBs this year. Brian Daboll was able to work his QB magic on Danny Dimes, by guiding him to a new personal record for passing yards. He also set a new personal low with only 5 interceptions on the year. The so called "Vanilla Vick" was able to run for over 700 yards (More than Cam Akers, Leonard Fournette, and D'Andre Swift) as a QB and 7 touchdowns (More than Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, Rhamondre Stephenson, Travis Etienne, and more) in an impressive campaign. If Daniel Jones is still in the big apple next year, expect more big things from him.
Honorable Mention: Jared Goff
Playoff Performer: Tom Brady - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brady had to overcome a lot of adversity this year, but at the ripe young age of 45, Brady was once agin able to lead a late season charge. Brady threw for the most passing yards and second most passing touchdowns in the span of weeks 14-17, all of which are key playoff weeks. In Week 17, a championship game for most leagues, Brady scored a league high 38 fantasy points. Brady is known for his clutch performances, so when it comes to crunch time, playing Brady is always a smart move.
Honorable Mention: Kirk Cousins.