Whew! The 2020 fantasy football season has come to a close. I hope that you had a successful season and won your championship — if not, well, there’s always next year. If you’re looking to get a jump start on your competition, reviewing this year’s results to identify trends at each position can be a good place to start.
Below, you’ll find the top players at each position. You can access the full lists here; I’ve included results from PPR-scoring formats for Weeks 1 through 16, but you can toggle those lists to fit your league’s scoring settings.
Quarterback Notes:
- Of the top five quarterbacks (Kyler Murray, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson), two were getting drafted in the top-five at their position. All five were top-twelve in ADP, meaning they were taken as QB1s.
- Of the QB1s (top-twelve), four were drafted outside of QB1 territory: Ryan Tannehill, Justin Herbert, Kirk Cousins, and Ben Roethlisberger.
- The four players drafted as QB1s to not finish in QB1 territory: Dak Prescott (injury), Drew Brees (injury/regression), Matt Ryan (regression), Carson Wentz (regression).
- Biggest surprise relative to ADP: Justin Herbert (ADP = QB36).
- Biggest disappointment relative to ADP (non-injury related): Lamar Jackson (ADP = QB2).
- Player with the most points per game to miss this list: Dak Prescott (27.7 PPG).
- 2021 Draft Tip: rushing quarterbacks (or “Konami code” quarterbacks) are better fantasy options than traditional pocket passers.
Running Back Notes:
- Of the top five running backs (Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry, James Robinson, and Aaron Jones), two were getting drafted in the top-five at their position. Five were top-twelve in ADP, meaning they were taken as RB1s.
- Of the RB1s (top-twelve), seven were drafted outside of RB1 territory: James Robinson, Aaron Jones, David Montgomery, Jonathan Taylor, Kareem Hunt, Mike Davis, and Antonio Gibson).
- The seven players drafted as RB1s to not finish in RB1 territory: Christian McCaffrey (injury), Saquon Barkley (injury), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (low usage), Nick Chubb (injury/RB13), Joe Mixon (injury), Miles Sanders (injury/regression) Austin Ekeler (injury).
- Biggest surprises relative to ADP: James Robinson (ADP = RB66), J.D. McKissic (ADP = RB86).
- Biggest disappointment relative to ADP (non-injury related): Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ADP = RB7).
- Player with the most points per game to miss this list: Christian McCaffrey (30.1 PPG).
- 2021 Draft Tip: If you invest in an RB1 early, draft their handcuff at some point. Doing so could’ve helped McCaffrey managers save their season.
Wide Receiver Notes:
- Of the top five wide receivers (Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, and Calvin Ridley), three were getting drafted in the top-five at their position. Three were top-twelve in ADP, meaning they were taken as WR1s.
- Of the WR1s (top-twelve), Seven were drafted outside of WR1 territory: Stefon Diggs, Calvin Ridley, D.K. Metcalf, Justin Jefferson, Keenan Allen, Adam Thielen (WR13), Robert Woods.
- The seven players drafted as WR1s to not finish in WR1 territory: Michael Thomas (injury/suspension), Julio Jones (injury), Chris Godwin (injury/low usage), Kenny Golladay (injury), D.J. Moore (low usage), Odell Beckham (injury/low usage), Amari Cooper (WR14/Prescott injury).
- Biggest surprise relative to ADP: Justin Jefferson (ADP = WR48).
- Biggest disappointment relative to ADP (non-injury related): T.Y. Hilton (ADP = WR24).
- Player with the most points per game to miss this list: Will Fuller (17.2 PPG).
- 2021 Draft Tip: High-volume slot receivers (Cooper Kupp, Cole Beasley, Tyler Boyd, Jarvis Landry, Jamison Crowder) are strong floor plays at WR2/WR3.
Tight End Notes:
- Of the top five tight ends (Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, T.J. Hockenson, Robert Tonyan, Logan Thomas), two were getting drafted in the top-five at their position. Two were top-twelve in ADP, meaning they were taken as TE1s.
- Of the TE1s (top-twelve), six were drafted outside of TE1 territory:
- The six players drafted as TE1s to not finish in TE1 territory: George Kittle (injury), Zach Ertz (injury/regression), Evan Engram (TE14/drops), Tyler Higbee (regression), Jared Cook (low usage), Austin Hooper (low usage).
- Biggest surprise relative to ADP: Robert Tonyan (ADP = TE69)
- Biggest disappointments relative to ADP (non-injury related): Evan Engram (ADP = TE6), Tyler Higbee (ADP = TE9).
- Player with the most points per game to miss this list: C.J. Uzomah (11.4 PPG).
- 2021 Draft Tip: Draft a tight end early or wait on a late-round option. When scouting tight ends, emphasize volume stats.
Kicker Notes:
- Of the top five kickers (Jason Sanders, Younghoe Koe, Daniel Carlson, Tyler Bass, Rodrigo Blankenship), zero were getting drafted in the top-five at their position. One was top-twelve in ADP, meaning he was taken as a K1.
- Of the K1s (top-twelve), eight were drafted outside of K1 territory: Jason Sanders, Daniel Carlson, Tyler Bass, Rodrigo Blankenship, Ryan Succop, Jason Myers, Cairo Santos, and Joey Slye.
- The eight players drafted as K1s to not finish in K1 territory: Wil Lutz (offensive regression), Robbie Gould (offensive regression), Matt Prater (offensive regression), Zane Gonzalez (offensive regression/injury), Matt Gay (cut), Jake Elliott (offensive regression), Mason Crosby (offensive improvement), and Dan Bailey (regression).
- Biggest surprise relative to ADP: Jason Sanders (ADP = K25).
- Biggest disappointment relative to ADP (non-injury related): Wil Lutz (ADP = K3).
- Player with the most points per game to miss this list: Mike Nugent (9.7 PPG).
- 2021 Draft Tip: Don’t draft a kicker until the last round. Better yet, don’t play in a league with a kicker.
Defense/Special Teams Notes:
- Of the top five defense/special team units (PIT, MIA, IND, LAR, BAL), two were getting drafted in the top-five at their position. Three were top-twelve in ADP, meaning they were taken as DST1s.
- Of the DST1s (top-twelve), five were drafted outside of DST1 territory: MIA, IND, WAS, SEA, ARI.
- The five units drafted as DST1s to not finish in DST1 territory: SF, BUF, CHI, MIN, LAC.
- Biggest surprise relative to ADP: MIA (ADP = DST32).
- Biggest disappointment relative to ADP (non-injury related): CHI (ADP = DST6).
- Unit with the most points per game to miss this list: ATL (4.9 PPG).
- 2021 Draft Tip: Target a defense with a lot of sack potential with a stable offense to keep them off the field.
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Isaiah Sirois is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Isaiah, check out his archive and follow him @is_sirois.