Best Fantasy Performers of 2012
These are the fantasy performers who
achieved numbers greater then the average of the Top 5 at their
position. I took the Top 5 performers by fantasy points, added up
their points, divided that number by five. Any player who has a point
total that exceeds the Top 5 average had a truly amazing season.These
are the Fantasy Football Studs from 2012.
Quarterbacks
The average of the Top 5 Quarterbacks
was 405.3 points. Three quarterbacks put up Fantasy numbers that made
them truly advantageous to have on your team.
Drew Brees
The Saints did not make the
play offs, however Brees had the best numbers of any quarterback.
Wins and losses don't matter as much in fantasy football as they do in the
normal game of football. Brees put up an incredible 437.4 points. He
threw for the third highest yardage total of all time with 5,177
putting his current season behind he and Brady's 2011 year. He also
lead the NFL with 43 touchdowns . He was tied for most interceptions
thrown in the NFL with 19... Who cares! He threw 43 touchdowns,
5,177 yards, and had 405.3 total fantasy points. Barring a very
unfortunate injury Brees should be a fantasy stud for several more
years. He was the best fantasy quarterback of 2012.
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers had an extremely productive fantasy year putting up 409.1 points. He threw for 4,303 yards and 39 touchdown passes. Rodgers should continue to be a fantasy all star for a few more years. He has great receivers around him, and seems to be able to get points regardless of who is on the field. Rodgers did not have a receiver break 1,000 yards this year, and still threw for over 4,000 yards. He dealt with tons of injuries, and showed he can distribute the ball and still run a successful offense.
Rodgers had an extremely productive fantasy year putting up 409.1 points. He threw for 4,303 yards and 39 touchdown passes. Rodgers should continue to be a fantasy all star for a few more years. He has great receivers around him, and seems to be able to get points regardless of who is on the field. Rodgers did not have a receiver break 1,000 yards this year, and still threw for over 4,000 yards. He dealt with tons of injuries, and showed he can distribute the ball and still run a successful offense.
Tom Brady
Brady fell just below the 405.3 average, but was within a point of finishing at 404.6 fantasy points. He dealt with injuries to his Tight Ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Brady had an impressive year and like the other two quarterbacks mentioned, above is a great addition to your fantasy team. Brady puts up great fantasy numbers every year.
Brady fell just below the 405.3 average, but was within a point of finishing at 404.6 fantasy points. He dealt with injuries to his Tight Ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Brady had an impressive year and like the other two quarterbacks mentioned, above is a great addition to your fantasy team. Brady puts up great fantasy numbers every year.
Runningbacks
The average for the Top 5 Runningbacks
is 267.14. If you eliminate Aadrian Peterson's amazing 2,000 plus
yard season and 309.4 fantasy point season you have an average of
249.68.
Adrian Peterson
His story has been well documented. He came back from a major injury, surgery, and had a phenomenal year. He rushed for a ridiculous 2,097 yards. Peterson was just nine yards away from Eric Dickerson's all time record of 2,105 yards. He was the best player at any position in terms of distancing himself from the #2 man at a position point wise.
His story has been well documented. He came back from a major injury, surgery, and had a phenomenal year. He rushed for a ridiculous 2,097 yards. Peterson was just nine yards away from Eric Dickerson's all time record of 2,105 yards. He was the best player at any position in terms of distancing himself from the #2 man at a position point wise.
Arian Foster
He was the second best runningback fantasy wise. The Texans have relied on his running for the last few seasons. He had 1,411 yards with 15 touchdowns this year, and put up 256.1 points in the 2011 season. Foster is a runningback who has delivered for those who have spent a high draft pick on him. I expect good things from him in the upcoming year.
He was the second best runningback fantasy wise. The Texans have relied on his running for the last few seasons. He had 1,411 yards with 15 touchdowns this year, and put up 256.1 points in the 2011 season. Foster is a runningback who has delivered for those who have spent a high draft pick on him. I expect good things from him in the upcoming year.
Doug
Martin
He was a true breakout performer this year. The Buccaneers drafted him in the first round, and he was well worth the pick. He had 1,454 yard on the year, and scored 11 rushing touchdowns. His 264.6 fantasy points were 3rd best, and top for rookie runningbacks. Anyone who took Doug Martin can say that they got their moneys worth.
He was a true breakout performer this year. The Buccaneers drafted him in the first round, and he was well worth the pick. He had 1,454 yard on the year, and scored 11 rushing touchdowns. His 264.6 fantasy points were 3rd best, and top for rookie runningbacks. Anyone who took Doug Martin can say that they got their moneys worth.
Honorable
Mentions
These two players would be elite when you remove Adrian Petersons insanely high total from the average of the Top 5. Marshawn Lynch 250 points. Alfred Morris 246.3 points.
These two players would be elite when you remove Adrian Petersons insanely high total from the average of the Top 5. Marshawn Lynch 250 points. Alfred Morris 246.3 points.
Wide
Receiver
The
average for the Top 5 wide receivers was 212.34. There were three
very talented receivers who beat the Top 5 average or were incredibly
close.
Calvin
Johnson
An impressive 226.4 points making him the best wide receiver. He had an absolutely mammoth amount of yardage. He broke Jerry Rice's single season receiving yard record. He had 1,964 yards on the year. The only thing that slightly limited his fantasy points was his low touchdown output. He only had 5 touchdowns on the year. In 2011 he had 16 touchdowns, and around 300 less yards, but ended with more fantasy points. Johnson is going to be the best fantasy wide receiver for quite some time. Detroit was terrible this year, they only had four wins. However, as with Drew Brees, wins do not matter in Fantasy Football. I can't predict how the Lions will do next year, but I can predict Calvin Johnson will have an incredible year once again.
An impressive 226.4 points making him the best wide receiver. He had an absolutely mammoth amount of yardage. He broke Jerry Rice's single season receiving yard record. He had 1,964 yards on the year. The only thing that slightly limited his fantasy points was his low touchdown output. He only had 5 touchdowns on the year. In 2011 he had 16 touchdowns, and around 300 less yards, but ended with more fantasy points. Johnson is going to be the best fantasy wide receiver for quite some time. Detroit was terrible this year, they only had four wins. However, as with Drew Brees, wins do not matter in Fantasy Football. I can't predict how the Lions will do next year, but I can predict Calvin Johnson will have an incredible year once again.
Brandon
Marshall
He was definitely the favorite target of Jay Cutler. Marshall had an extremely productive year. He amassed 216.6 fantasy points. He had 118 catches, 1,508 yards, as well as eleven touchdowns. He will prove to be an excellent fantasy option as long as Jay Cutler is throwing him the ball. He would do well in any offense, but he and Cutler seem to have really good chemistry.
He was definitely the favorite target of Jay Cutler. Marshall had an extremely productive year. He amassed 216.6 fantasy points. He had 118 catches, 1,508 yards, as well as eleven touchdowns. He will prove to be an excellent fantasy option as long as Jay Cutler is throwing him the ball. He would do well in any offense, but he and Cutler seem to have really good chemistry.
Dez
Bryant
Dez Bryant put up 209.7 fantasy points. He has 92 catches, 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had a very good year, and although he started off slow, he delivered for those who needed him to late in the season. He should continue to be a stellar fantasy option for the next few years.
Dez Bryant put up 209.7 fantasy points. He has 92 catches, 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had a very good year, and although he started off slow, he delivered for those who needed him to late in the season. He should continue to be a stellar fantasy option for the next few years.
Tight Ends
The
average of the Top 5 Tight Ends was 137.94. Three amazing fantasy
Tight Ends emerged.
The
elite Tight Ends can make a significant difference in your number of
wins for the year.
Rob
Gronkowski
He had slightly less points for the year then Jimmy Graham. 145 against Graham's 152.2. The amazing thing about Gronk is he achieved his point total in only 11 games! He was hurt which was very unfortunate. Gronk achieved 13.2 points a game vs Graham's 10.1 points a game. If Gronk had stayed healthy he was on pace to break 200 fantasy points. He should be a strong fantasy performer again next year.
He had slightly less points for the year then Jimmy Graham. 145 against Graham's 152.2. The amazing thing about Gronk is he achieved his point total in only 11 games! He was hurt which was very unfortunate. Gronk achieved 13.2 points a game vs Graham's 10.1 points a game. If Gronk had stayed healthy he was on pace to break 200 fantasy points. He should be a strong fantasy performer again next year.
Jimmy
Graham
Jimmy had 152.2 fantasy points. He is a favorite option of Drew Brees. The Saints
Jimmy had 152.2 fantasy points. He is a favorite option of Drew Brees. The Saints
did
not make the playoffs, but Graham still had an excellent year. As
long as Drew Brees is the Saints quarterback, Jimmy Graham should
continue to be a top three fantasy tight end.
Tony
Gonzalez
He has had quite a remarkable career. Matt Ryan has plenty of options in the high powered Falcons offense. Gonzalez was still able to put up 930 yards and 8 touchdowns, even with all the other options in the Falcons offense. He and Matt Ryan clearly have chemistry as he was thrown to 124 times, and hauled in 93 catches. Gonzalez has had a great career and should continue to right up until retirement.
He has had quite a remarkable career. Matt Ryan has plenty of options in the high powered Falcons offense. Gonzalez was still able to put up 930 yards and 8 touchdowns, even with all the other options in the Falcons offense. He and Matt Ryan clearly have chemistry as he was thrown to 124 times, and hauled in 93 catches. Gonzalez has had a great career and should continue to right up until retirement.
Kicker
The
Top 5 kickers averaged out to 144 fantasy points. Many kickers are
worthwhile fantasy options. A select few put up exceptional numbers
that make them more beneficial to have then other kickers.
Stephen
Gostkowski
The New England Patriot kicker produced 153 fantasy points. He kicked 66 PAT's, the runner up was Denver's kicker who kicked 55. The Patriots offense score so much that Gostkowski kicks more 1 point PAT's then anyone else. They are not worth as much as field goals, but still add up. Gostkowski was 29 of 35 in regular field goals. As long as he is the Patriots kicker, he should continue to have good fantasy years.
The New England Patriot kicker produced 153 fantasy points. He kicked 66 PAT's, the runner up was Denver's kicker who kicked 55. The Patriots offense score so much that Gostkowski kicks more 1 point PAT's then anyone else. They are not worth as much as field goals, but still add up. Gostkowski was 29 of 35 in regular field goals. As long as he is the Patriots kicker, he should continue to have good fantasy years.
Lawrence
Tynes
Kicker for the New York Giants. He put up 145 fantasy points. He was 33 of 39, with 46 PAT's. It must be stressful being Tom Coughlin's kicker, he pulls it off though. I know that is not the best fantasy analysis, but it's true!
Kicker for the New York Giants. He put up 145 fantasy points. He was 33 of 39, with 46 PAT's. It must be stressful being Tom Coughlin's kicker, he pulls it off though. I know that is not the best fantasy analysis, but it's true!
Team
Defense
The
top 5 defenses averages out to 125.4 points. Only two teams surpassed
this mark. In fact the average was so high due to one spectacular
defense.
Chicago
Bears
Da BEARS. They put up a remarkable 143 fantasy points. The Bears scored 9 defensive touchdowns. If you had the Chicago Bears defense on your fantasy squad you had a distinct advantage. The Bears were 17 points better than Denver, who was the 2nd best defensive team. The Bears put up a remarkable 41 sacks, 20 fumble recoveries, and had 24 interceptions. They were the best defense in the NFL. Next year's performance could change. They will still have a stellar group of defensive players, but no longer have Lovie Smith as coach. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the team.
Da BEARS. They put up a remarkable 143 fantasy points. The Bears scored 9 defensive touchdowns. If you had the Chicago Bears defense on your fantasy squad you had a distinct advantage. The Bears were 17 points better than Denver, who was the 2nd best defensive team. The Bears put up a remarkable 41 sacks, 20 fumble recoveries, and had 24 interceptions. They were the best defense in the NFL. Next year's performance could change. They will still have a stellar group of defensive players, but no longer have Lovie Smith as coach. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the team.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos put up 126 fantasy points. They lead the NFL with 52 sacks, and had strong play from linebacker Von Miller. The Broncos also benefit from teams having to play catch up football. With Peyton Manning at the helm, other teams are often playing from behind.
The Broncos put up 126 fantasy points. They lead the NFL with 52 sacks, and had strong play from linebacker Von Miller. The Broncos also benefit from teams having to play catch up football. With Peyton Manning at the helm, other teams are often playing from behind.