With the NFL regular season now completed, fans and fantasy football enthusiasts alike are reflecting on the remarkable performances of the 2024 season. This year, the discussion centers on who will be crowned the Fantasy MVP, as two players rise above the rest: Ja'Marr Chase and Saquon Barkley. While the NFL MVP title is unlikely to stray from the typical quarterback candidates like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, the fantasy MVP discussion is taking shape with some fierce contenders.
Saquon Barkley, who made headlines by joining the prestigious 2,000-yard rushing club, finished the season with 2,005 rushing yards, just shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's long-standing single-season record of 2,105 yards set back in 1984. Barkley also contributed significantly through the air, adding 33 receptions for 278 yards and two touchdowns, with his overall performance averaging 22.2 PPR points per game. Meanwhile, Ja'Marr Chase accomplished the extraordinary feat of becoming the Triple Crown winner. With 127 receptions, 1,708 receiving yards, and 17 receiving touchdowns, Chase is one of only five players to achieve this feat since the AFL-NFL merger.
Weighing the contributions of both players, the decision arrived at naming Chase as the 2024 Fantasy MVP. His consistency during the season proved invaluable for fantasy teams—Chase scored at least 20 PPR points eight times, more than five outings with at least 25 points, and had games where he eclipsed even 50 PPR points. He also demonstrated dominance when it mattered most, posting at least 18.4 PPR points across all three playoff weeks.
Barkley also had standout performances, including seven games of 20-plus PPR points. Despite not playing Week 18, he gathered impressive totals, but Chase's slight upper hand earned him the coveted MVP title. Three running backs stood out this season, with Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Bijan Robinson each averaging over 20 PPR points per game. Yet it was Chase who managed to be more consistent and impactful, especially during the playoff period.
The narrative doesn't end there. To honor the top-performing players, three All-Fantasy Teams have been created to represent the pinnacle of fantasy football this past season. The first team features standout talents including Lamar Jackson at quarterback, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson as the running backs, and Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson at the wide receiver slots.
Jackson earned his place on the first team thanks to his impressive average of 30.1 fantasy points per game, leading all quarterbacks with 915 rushing yards. Barkley’s numbers secured his position, but he was closely chased by Robinson and Gibbs, who made significant late-season contributions. Both Robinson and Gibbs averaged over 20 PPR points per game, bolstering their teams as they entered the fantasy playoffs.
At the receivers' position, Chase stood out with his record-breaking performances, along with Jefferson, who also passed the 300-point mark for the season. The tight end position featured Brock Bowers, who recorded most points among tight ends, setting multiple records as the rookie with most receptions (112) and yardage (1,194). His immediate impact puts him on the radar for future seasons.
The All-Fantasy Second Team included high-profile players like Joe Burrow, Derrick Henry, and George Kittle. Despite the Bengals missing the playoffs, Burrow's 4,641 passing yards tied him with legendary players for efficiency and success, maintaining averages typical of MVP candidates. Kittle and Henry showcased their respective prowess, ensuring their spots by remaining consistent options throughout the fantasy seasons.
For many, the importance of evaluating flex and superflex options cannot be understated. Eric Karabell has been updating his 2025 fantasy football rankings to guide enthusiasts, focusing on the right draft roles and strategies. Central to these rankings are players like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, who consistently proved their worth, alongside promising young talents like Jayden Daniels.
Karabell stresses the dynamic of superflex leagues, noting how they influence typical positional ranks, pushing quarterbacks higher on draft boards. Traditional RB2s and WR2s are all ranked with the potential for explosive scoring, emphasizing the need for awareness of player variability.
The 2025 Flex rankings highlight Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson at the forefront, encapsulating their season-long dominance. Rounding out the top-tier selections were stars like Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, both of whom delivered impressive seasons amid fierce competition. With flex spots being valuable, the need for adaptable players becomes apparent.
With fantasy football drafts approaching, knowledge of standout fantasy players and their expected performances will guide fans. The 2024 season showcased exceptional talents and with their performances solidified, players like Chase, Barkley, and others are sure to impact upcoming fantasy decisions.