She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s Miss United Sta — oh wait, wrong awards. Hey guys, and thanks for dropping in as we dish out some mid-season fantasy football awards. As of this writing, we have just one more game to go in Week 8, and with most fantasy championships rolling in Week 16, we’re halfway through the season. It’s been a crazy, injury-riddled, COVID-affected season, but the elation of a win and the despair of a loss have not been lost to the fantasy faithful. Without further adieu, let’s get to our awards!

Note: All winners will receive a write-up in this article sent with the author’s utmost kudos. All honorable mentions were sent a Microsoft Zune as consolation.

“LaDainian Tomlinson” Most Valuable Fantasy Player Award

Winner: Kyler Murray

I really, really considered Alvin Kamara for this award, but I just couldn’t do it. Kamara was an easy first-round pick this year, but Murray’s ADP was at the back of the fifth round. For that kind of value, Kyler is the winner here. Through seven games, he’s neck and neck with Russell Wilson for the overall QB1 because of his elite 1,847/13/7 passing and 437/7 rushing lines.

Honorable Mentions: Alvin Kamara, Russell Wilson

“Have a Nice Trip, See You Next Fall” Award

Winner: Daniel Jones

It was a moment that will likely be mocked around the fantasy world for years to come. In Week 7 against Philly, Jones took off down the middle on a run from inside his own red zone and had nothing but turf in front of him before stumbling and falling on an 80-yard scoreless scamper. Players on his own sideline couldn’t help but chuckle.

Honorable Mentions: None, this award was tailor-made just for Danny Dimes

DeVante Parker “Least Valuable Fantasy Player” Award

Winner: Lamar Jackson

Ouch. This one hurt a bit to write, but L-Jax just hasn’t gotten it done this season. I ranked him as my top quarterback in the preseason, and hindsight is really biting me hard on that ranking. Not counting Week 8 action, Jackson is the QB16 on the season. A mid-range QB2 is all that we’ve gotten from last year’s MVP.

Honorable Mentions: Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Thomas

Randy Moss “Best Fantasy Rookie” Award

Winner: Justin Jefferson

There have been some excellent rookies in 2020. Robinson has been everything fantasy managers could want in a starting RB. Higgins as shined in Cincinnati, and it appears he has a connection with Joe Burrow that could develop into a dangerous combination for years to come. When push comes to shove, I’m going with J² as the winner of this one. It’s rather fitting another Viking would win the Randy Moss Award. Prior to Week 8, the rook piled up a 36/537/3 receiving line and ranked as the WR10.

Honorable Mentions: James Robinson, Tee Higgins

George Blanda “Best Fantasy Veteran” Award 

Winner: Tom Brady

Thirty is the new 40, right? Entering Week 8, Brady was the QB6 thanks to some strong numbers in his new locale. Through seven games, Brady has averaged nearly 300 passing yards per game, while piling up 20 total TDs to just four picks. His arsenal of Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette, and Ronald Jones just gained a new weapon in Antonio Brown who should be available for Week 9. Is a top-5 finish in the works? Oh, yeah!

Note: Frank Gore was deemed “too old” and disqualified from consideration for this award

Honorable Mention: Aaron Rodgers

“Jordan Game 6” Clutch Award

Winner: Russell Wilson

Close games? Not a problem for Russ, who – in case you hadn’t heard – has been cookin’ this season. In Week 3 against Dallas, Wilson and Co. found themselves down 31-30 with just a few minutes left on the clock. Wilson marched his team down the field and hit D.K. Metcalf for a 29-yard go-ahead TD and went on to win the game 38-30. Just two weeks later, it was Wilson to Metcalf once again, as Wilson hit No. 14 for a six-yard TD on fourth down with 20 seconds to play. Seattle won the game 27-26. The only other player who can be considered here is the recipient of both Wilson’s game-winners – Metcalf.

Honorable Mention: D.K. Metcalf

Peyton Hillis “Waiver Wire Hero” Award

Winner: Robby Anderson

Remember 2010? That was the year Peyton Hillis racked up an unthinkable 1,654 scrimmage yards and 13 total TDs and became the waiver wire hero to end all waiver wire heroes. Seriously, finding this type of production on the waiver wire is tough to come by, but every now and then you can find a Pittsburgh De’Angelo Williams or a rookie Alvin Kamara to win you your league. That guy this year? None other than Robby Anderson. Through eight games, he sports a 51/688/1 line and is third in the NFL in receiving yards.

If you’ve read my RB Roundup articles, you’ll know I love me some Mike D. He’s compiled a 84/350/2 rushing line and a 38/244/2 receiving line, and even though Christian McCaffrey will likely be back for Week 9, Davis likely won you a handful of games and may have earned himself some involvement regardless of CMC’s health. Nevertheless, his role will be minimized beginning in Week 9, while Anderson should remain involved as the team’s top wideout for the rest of the season. It pained me to not honor Davis here, but Robby was more deserving.

Honorable Mentions: James Robinson, Mike Davis, Travis Fulgham, Chase Claypool

David Blaine “Disappearing Act” Award

Winner: Calvin Ridley Week 4

There have been some real disappointing performances this season, but Ridley’s Week 4 goose egg takes the cake. Prior to the no-show, he had gone for three straight 100-yard games and crossed the goal line four times. I can’t think of a bigger disappearing act than this one, but Alexander Mattison‘s fantastic Week 6 faceplant comes close.

Honorable Mentions: Alexander Mattison

Kevin White “Glass Bones & Paper Skin” Award

Winner: San Francisco 49ers

There have been some crazy lineups rolled out by various teams this season due to a rash of injuries around the league. No team seems to have been hit harder, however, than the Niners. San Fran has seen Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and Tevin Coleman all spend some time on the IR. Jerick McKinnon has seen his role fluctuate within the offense, and rookie JaMycal Hasty has mixed in for his share of work, too. This is one of the most frustrating backfields in recent memory, and in his first game back in Week 8, Coleman left early with yet another injury.

Honorable Mentions: New York Jets

Amy Schumer “Trainwreck” Award

Winner: New York Jets

Just “in Gase” you forgot, Gang Green is 0-8, and they are the worst team in the league by a country mile. The top options for this team have been Braxton Berrios and Frank Gore for multiple games, the defense has no chance of stopping anyone, Sam Darnold looks like he’s in way over his head, and it’s hard to believe any player in the locker room is still on the head coach’s side. This team is trending toward historically bad, and there are still eight games to go.

Honorable Mentions: New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys

Henry Heimlich “Choke Job” Award

Winner: Atlanta Falcons

Who can forget the 28-3 Super Bowl debacle? Not the Atlanta Falcons, who have apparently never heard the phrase, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” The festivities kicked off for Atlanta in Week 2, where the team went up 20-0 in the first quarter before being outscored 40-19 over the final three quarters and giving up an onside kick that led to a game-winning field goal from Greg Zurelein. The following week, the Falcons were up 26-10 on the Bears late into the fourth quarter before surrendering 20 straight points in the final seven minutes to lose 30-26. Finally, down 16-14 in the final 90 seconds, Atlanta marched into Detroit territory and needed only to pick up a first down, take a knee, and kick a chip shot for the win. Instead, Todd Gurley inadvertently fell into the end zone with 64 seconds remaining, giving Matthew Stafford time to get down the field and hit T.J. Hockenson for a game-winning score as time expired.

Honorable Mentions: Los Angeles Chargers

Doug Baldwin “Best Undrafted Player” Award

Winner: James Robinson

The rookie from Illinois State should arguably have won the above “Waiver Wire Hero” Award too, but we’re here to diversify the winners. Through seven weeks, J-Rob has totaled 706 yards and six total touchdowns and ranks as the RB5. He was well off the fantasy radar ahead of Leonard Fournette‘s release, and even as lead back, he wasn’t widely picked up ahead of Week 1.

Honorable Mentions: Travis Fulgham, Chase Claypool

William Refrigerator Perry “Best Fantasy Nickname” Award

Winner: Robert “Big Bob” Tonyan

I won’t shy away from my affinity for goofy nicknames. I mean, who really cares about stats and analysis anyway? I’m here for the nicknames, baby! I have to give this one to one of my favorites – the incomparable “Big Bob” Tonyan. Although “The Nooch” and “MAC Daddy” are great choices here, the award goes to the Packers tight end.

Honorable Mention: Ben “The Nooch” DiNucci, Mo “MAC Daddy” Alie-Cox

“Biggest Waste of FAAB” Award

Winner: Devonta Freeman

Freeman signed with the G-Men prior to Week 3, and his arrival had fantasy managers clamoring to the waiver wire for his services. In five games, Freeman produced just 54/172/1 on the ground and 7/58 through the air before succumbing to injury in Week 7 on TNF and being listed as out for Week 8.

Honorable Mention: Carlos Hyde

All-Fantasy Teams, Mid-Season Edition

__________

All-Rookie Fantasy Teams, Mid-Season Edition

__________

Fantasy Performances of the Year

1. Dalvin Cook Week 8: 30/163/3 rushing, 2/63/1 receiving

2. Tyler Lockett Week 7: 15/200/3 receiving

3. Davante Adams Week 7: 13/196/2 receiving

4. Alvin Kamara Week 3: 6/58 rushing, 13/139/2 receiving

5. Chase Claypool Week 5: 7/110/3 receiving, 3/6/1 rushing

Fantasy Duds of the Year

1. Calvin Ridley Week 4: 0/0/0 receiving

2. Alexander Mattison Week 6: 11 touches, 30 yards, no TDs

3. Kirk Cousins Week 2: 11/26 pass attempts, 113 passing yards, no TDs, 3 INTs

4. Aaron Rodgers Week 6: 16/35 pass attempts, 160 passing yards, no TDs, 2 INTs

5. Lamar Jackson Week 3: 15/28 pass attempts, 97 passing yards, one TD, 83 rushing yards, one fumble lost

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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.