2025 Fantasy Football Award Winners: From MVP to sleeper and bust of the year

Some people get excited for the Oscars or the Grammys or the Golden Globes. But true sports fans know the Fantasy Football awards are really the ones that matter. Let’s hand out some hardware as we examine the fake football season that’s just been completed.

He was a healthy bell cow at a position known for injuries and platoons, the constant piece in a loaded offense. McCaffrey’s rushing efficiency dipped to 3.9 YPC, but 96-890-7 through the air helped pay the bills. He was also 46 touches ahead of the field.

Advertisement

Runners-Up: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jonathan Taylor, Trey McBride

Williams was ordinary at best for his two final Denver seasons, so expectations were understandably low when he moved to Dallas. But maybe he’s finally removed from major injuries — the burst returned this year, and he was also bankable at the goal line. He finished the year at RB11. Williams wins over Drake Maye because a sleeper hit at RB is more impactful.

Runners-Up: Drake Maye, Trevor Lawrence, Juwan Johnson

I didn’t think it was possible for Jefferson to play 16 games, ostensibly healthy, and manage just 76-947-2, but here we are. J.J. McCarthy’s struggles were too much to overcome, despite the best efforts from offensive guru Kevin O’Connell. Jefferson might be a third-round pick next year.

Advertisement

Runners-Up: Brian Thomas Jr., Lamar Jackson, Ladd McConkey

Harvey ran pure with touchdowns all year, finding the end zone 12 times despite a modest 177 touches. And he was ready when opportunity spiked down the stretch, charting as the RB8 over the final six weeks.

Runners-Up: Jaxson Dart, Harold Fannin Jr., Ashton Jeanty

Normally when we hit the wire for a receiver pickup, we’re hoping for WR3/4 value at best. Wilson sailed past that baseline, with four top-10 WR games in the past seven weeks. It’s fair to wonder why Wilson clicked in this offense, but Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a two-year disappointment.

Advertisement

Runners-Up: Alec Pierce, Harold Fannin Jr., Rico Dowdle

Matthew Stafford put together a career year in his age-37 season, and the Rams employed a narrow target tree, to the delight of fantasy managers. Puka Nacua was unstoppable all over the field, Davante Adams is a touchdown-scoring god, and Kyren Willams (with some Blake Corum help) scored consistently all year.

Runner-Up: San Francisco/Kyle Shanahan

Zombie of the Year: Kyle Pitts, Falcons

It was a shame Pitts didn’t have anything left in Week 17, but his late-season rally pushed him up to TE3 by the end of the year. He’s earned himself a major check when free agency comes in March.

Advertisement

Runners-Up: Javonte Williams, Jacoby Brissett

Where’s the Help Award: Josh Allen, Bills

Allen famously won the 2024 NFL MVP despite Mack Hollins leading his team in touchdown catches (all of five). Allen repeated as the QB1 this year despite a pedestrian room of pass-catchers. James Cook was terrific as a runner, but Buffalo’s roster build has been a failure.

Runners-Up: Tetairoa McMillan, Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty, De'Von Achane

Heartbreaker of the Year: Tucker Kraft, Packers

He probably would have been the TE2 for the year — there was no stopping Trey McBride — had he stayed healthy. The Packers had legitimate Super Bowl dreams with a healthy Kraft and Micah Parsons; they're probably toast now.

Advertisement

Runners-Up: Cam Skattebo, Zay Flowers (tackled at the 5 all year)

Carnival Team of the Year: San Francisco 49ers

I came really close to giving the Niners the nod as the best fantasy team, but hopefully managers are okay with this consolation prize. San Francisco was especially fun in December, scoring 127 points in three games and punting just twice — while allowing 89 points on the other side.

Runners-Up: Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears