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A lull in football has created some time for me to reminisce. I have been playing Fantasy football for over a decade now, and I have had my fair share of great players to carry my team, but I wanted to take a look at the greatest seasons ever in fantasy football. That said, let's dive into the top five fantasy football (PPR) performances of all time!
1) 2006, LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers RB
481.1 FPTS, 1,815 Rush yds, 508, Rec yards, 31(!!) Total Touchdowns
Arguably the most electrifying running back in NFL History, “LT”, LaDainian Tomlinson holds the record for most (PPR) fantasy points in a single season. Tomlinson had the greatest season in Fantasy Football history and one of the greatest individual seasons in NFL History. During the 2006 season, Tomlinson set multiple records and established himself as a dominant force on the field. Tomlinson finished the season with an astounding 1,815 rushing yards, leading the league in that category.
LaDainian Tomlinson is the best RB I’ve ever watched play football. Man was a fantasy cheat code. He scored 481.1 fantasy points in 2006. ??pic.twitter.com/8EC8m7MTZw
The most remarkable aspect of Tomlinson’s 2006 season was his ability to find the end zone. Tomlinson set a new NFL single-season record with 28 rushing touchdowns, breaking the previous mark of 27 set by Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander in 2005. Tomlinson’s 31 total touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in 2006 also set a record, surpassing the previous mark of 28 set by Paul Hornung in 1960.
2) 2019, Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers RB
471.2 FPTS, 1,387 Rush yds, 19 Total TDs, 116 RECEPTIONS, 1,005 Rec yards
The now San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey’s 2019 season was nothing short of spectacular. McCaffrey’s 2019 season would ultimately establish him as one of the premier running backs in the NFL. Playing for the Carolina Panthers, McCaffrey became the third player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, joining Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk in achieving this feat.
One of the standout aspects of McCaffrey’s 2019 season was his durability and workload. Despite the heavy usage, McCaffrey played in all 16 games for the Panthers, emphasizing his resilience and conditioning. McCaffrey finished the season with 403 touches (287 carries and 116 receptions), making him the focal point of the Panthers’ offense. Now, with the 49ers, McCaffrey is still breaking records and he's the all-time leading fantasy player in points per game. Wish McCaffrey luck as he pursues his first Super Bowl Ring next Sunday.
3) 2000, Marshall Faulk, ST Louis Rams, RB
459.9 FPTS, 1,359 Rush yds, 830 Rec yards, 26 Total Touchdowns
By now, you may have caught onto the theme that running backs are very important. They take on a huge bulk of the touches for teams, which can lead to injuries on any given snap. Had Marshall Faulk played all 16 games in 2000, he might be at the top of this list. The star running back for “ The Greatest Show on Turf” produced an outlandish 1,359 rushing yards (5.4 YPC), 253 carries, 830 receiving yards and 81 receptions. Oh, and a measly 26 total touchdowns, again in 14 GAMES. Faulk's outstanding performance throughout the 2000 season earned him the NFL Most Valuable Player award, becoming the first and only running back since 1985 to win the prestigious honor. Faulk also received the Offensive Player of the Year award for the third time in his career.
2000 St. Louis Rams
Motioning Marshall Faulk out of the I-Formation, faking pitch and running Tunnel Screen back to Faulk! pic.twitter.com/k9GlxKWXAv
4) 2002, Priest Holmes, Kansas City Chiefs RB
442.7 FPTs,1,165 Rushing yards, 672 Rec Yards, 30 Total Touchdowns
In the 2002 season, Priest Holmes led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,615, showcasing his vision, agility, and ability to break tackles. Holmes also excelled as a receiver out of the backfield, contributing 672 receiving yards on 70 receptions. Holmes displayed remarkable versatility, making him a dual-threat weapon for the Chiefs offense. Holmes impact went beyond his yardage totals.
Holmes set a new NFL single-season record for rushing touchdowns with 27, breaking the previous mark of 25 set by Emmitt Smith in 1995. In addition to his rushing prowess, Holmes added three receiving touchdowns, bringing his total touchdowns for the season to an incredible 30. Unfortunately, Holmes career was hampered by injuries, and he retired from professional football in 2007. Nonetheless, his incredible 2002 season remains a testament to his skill, determination, and ability to dominate as one of the premier running backs in the league.
5) 2019 Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens, QB
421.7 FPTs, 3,127 Passing Yards, 36 Touchdown Passes, 1,206 Rushing Yards
Finally, we have our first non-running back! The league’s first and only unanimous MVP, as well as the first unanimous First Team All-Pro selection. In 2019, Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to a league-best 14-2 record, securing the top seed in the AFC. Jackson threw for 3,127 yards and also set the record for rushing yards (1,206 yards)in a single season by a quarterback.
Since twitter is down let's watch some Lamar Jackson 2019 highlights pic.twitter.com/wxNNC1WRWa
Known for his rushing ability, one thing that buoyed Jackson's amazing season was his efficiency as a passer, completing 66.1% of his throws. Jackson demonstrated improved accuracy and decision-making compared to his rookie season. Jackson’s ability to extend plays with his legs and create opportunities both as a runner and a passer made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
