👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

2016 Fantasy Football MVPs - RotoBaller Writer Predictions

This piece kicks off a series of articles where RotoBaller's football writers will throw out their predictions for the upcoming season.

In this article, we will get the predictions on who will be the Fantasy Football MVP in 2016. What does that mean exactly? The Fantasy Football MVP is the player who gets described as a "League Winner" at seasons end and provides one of the best values in fantasy football.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

2016 Fantasy Football MVP Predictions

Russell Wilson, Seahawks QB

Joey Christopoulos (Tudddyguy)

Russell Wilson will be one of the first quarterbacks taken in the draft and chances are he will be taken between rounds 2 or 3. However, Wilson has gone from surprising game manager, to Super Bowl winner to eventual 2016 superstar. He threw 34 touchdowns last season and is coming off rushing for 6 touchdowns in 2014. From Week 11 on last season, he put up a 24-1 TD-to-INT ratio. His passer rating was 110 and he was so-so at best the first half of the year. He could easily score 40+ total touchdowns and and accumulate 4,500+ all purpose yards. Wilson has the potential to be a top-5 player in all of fantasy this year.

 

David Johnson, Cardinals RB

Andrew Bua (@Andrew_Bua)

Not a completely bold choice here, but for a guy who hasn’t carried the load for a full season it certainly isn’t a safe one either. Starting only five games last season for the Cardinals, Johnson still managed to finish as the 7th fantasy RB in standard leagues. Now in a position to be the go-to running back on the team, Johnson will benefit from open lanes all year long considering opposing defenses have to account for Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, and Michael Floyd (not to mention Carson Palmer throwing to them). Johnson could edge out Le’Veon Bell as the top dual threat RB in the NFL; if you’re in a PPR league than his chances for fantasy MVP are even higher.

 

Derek Carr, Raiders QB

Pierre Camus (@Pfunk00)

Carr is being criminally undervalued with a 9th or 10th round ADP. 4,000+ yards and 35 TDs would only be a slight improvement over last year. This third-year QB could make a third-year leap akin to Andrew Luck in 2014. Armed with one of the best young receivers in the league in Amari Cooper, as well as sure-handed Michael Crabtree, there is a lot to like in Oakland. Waiting for a QB in drafts is more advisable than ever, but when it comes time to pull the trigger, Carr is the man you should aim for.

 

Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB

Tyger McGuiggan (@Tyger_McG)

If Aaron Rodgers can score more than 360 points this year, and I think he has the potential to scrape up against 400, he will have been worth a first round pick. While he has been going in the second or third rounds in most drafts, there are plenty of leagues where he drops as far as the fifth. Anytime a player who isn’t taken until the third, fourth, or even fifth round, yet returns top 5 overall production, then that player is going to be on a lot of championship teams.

 

Donte Moncrief, Colts WR

Nate Williams (@FFCatalyst)

Moncrief is a great value, and is built like a stud wide receiver. He's 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, runs a 4.4, and plays for a team that will throw the ball 600+ times. He averaged 14 points per game in PPR last season while recording eight touchdowns. This season he will be more than a position player and big-play maker. He will be Andrew Luck's go-to WR -- and you're getting him on average in the fifth round!

 

Lamar Miller, Texans RB

Bryan Levin

Lamar Miller has always been a talented back, but lacked opportunity while simultaneously being severely under-utilized. Leaving Miami for Houston was a great move for his fantasy stock, as he now will be relied upon to carry the offense and take some pressure off of still-unproven QB Brock Osweiler. The sky is the limit for Miller, who could very well end up being a top-three fantasy RB at the end of the year.

 

Golden Tate, Lions WR

Andrew C. Lovell (@Andrew_Lovell)

If we're measuring the best value in fantasy football this season, it's Lions wide receiver Golden Tate. He's ranked 44th overall in RotoBaller's rankings, but his RotoBaller average ADP is 55.7. He's a borderline WR2 that could produce 100-plus receptions and 1,200-plus yards, yet he's being drafted in the middle of the fifth round. Denver Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas is also being similarly undervalued (No. 25 in rankings; 32.9 average ADP).

 

Antonio Brown, Steelers WR

Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21)

Antonio Brown will find a way to best his insane fantasy season from 2015. Brown has an excellent opportunity in his age-28 season to break 2,000 yards in an offense that likes to pass the ball, as he's shown the ability to dominate and perform when it counts. Brown had Martavis Bryant on the other side of the field and still caught 136 passes for 1,834 yards and 10 scores. With Bryant gone and Bell out for three games, Brown is going to take over the entire league. Watch for the Ben Roethlisberger-to-Brown connection to happen early and often all season long.

 

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins WR

Cliff Clinton (@CliffClinton)

I’m looking at players who are drafted outside of the Top-20 here, guys whose success makes you go “I did not see that coming, and I will happily benefit from this all season!” And I have a (frankly, astounding) amount of faith that Jarvis Landry is your fantasy MVP for the 2016 fantasy football season! Landry is being drafted outside of the top-50 on average, despite having the fourth most catches in 2015. While guys like DeVante Parker are getting more buzz, Landry has proved himself to be a consistent fantasy option who should only improve. With an improved offensive line, a coaching staff that is more willing to task risks, and a quarterback who's trying to stretch the field, expect this to be one of the last years that Jarvis Landry is taken outside of the second round.

 

Devin Funchess, Panthers WR

Nathan Powell (@NPowellFF)

When I am searching for the Fantasy Football MVP, I'm looking for a double-digit round RB/WR who has the opportunity to finish top-15 at his position. Devin Funchess qualifies as that in 2016. Funchess showed flashes in his rookie season and has had a great training camp, putting him into a position where he could possibly supplant Kelvin Benjamin as Carolina's #1 wide receiver. Funchess has 10+ touchdown upside in one of the NFL's best offenses and is well worth his 11th round ADP.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Sam Reinhart

Won't Return This Season
Carter Yakemchuk

Injured in Tuesday's Loss
Aaron Ekblad

Hand Injury "Doesn't Look Good"
Cameron Johnson

Available Against Jazz
Aaron Gordon

Likely to Play Wednesday Night
Malik Monk

Suiting Up Wednesday
DeMar DeRozan

Cleared to Face Raptors
Andrew Wiggins

Questionable Against Celtics
Norman Powell

Won't Play Wednesday
Danny Wolf

Without Timeline for Return
Jose Fernandez

Launches Two Home Runs in Historic MLB Debut
Chase DeLauter

Exits Tuesday's Game with Foot Injury, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Odell Beckham Jr.

Meets with John Harbaugh About Giants Reunion
Chris Kirk

Has Course History on His Side in San Antonio
Billy Horschel

a Volatile Option at the Valero Texas Open
Joe Highsmith

Still Searching for Form in San Antonio
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks to Find Form at the Valero Texas Open
Dalton Kincaid

Load Management a Possibility for Dalton Kincaid
J.K. Dobbins

is Fully Healthy for 2026
Jauan Jennings

49ers Acknowledge Jauan Jennings Won't Return
LeBron James

Set to Play in Cleveland Matchup
Jayson Tatum

Cleared to Play Wednesday
Neemias Queta

Returns Against Miami
De'Anthony Melton

Ruled Out Against Spurs
Kristaps Porzingis

Ruled Out Wednesday
Pascal Siakam

Expected to Suit Up Wednesday
Andrew Nembhard

Sitting Out Wednesday
Olivier-Maxence Prosper

Off Injury Report Wednesday
Ty Jerome

to Miss Fifth Straight Game
Caris LeVert

Available Tuesday Against Raptors
Miles McBride

to Suit up on Tuesday
Collin Murray-Boyles

Cleared to Play Tuesday
Marcus Sasser

is Available on Tuesday
Brandon Ingram

Returns Vs. Detroit
Seiya Suzuki

to Begin a Rehab Assignment Soon
Simon Holmstrom

Misses Tuesday's Action
Alexandre Carrier

Out 2-4 Weeks With Upper-Body Injury
Jordan Spieth

a Horse for Course History at TPC San Antonio
Mason Lohrei

Misses Second Consecutive Game Tuesday
Tyler Myers

Unavailable Against Bruins
Robert MacIntyre

Has One Flaw to Overcome at Valero Texas Open to be a Must-Play
Michael Bunting

to Sit Out Tuesday's Game
Maverick McNealy

In Exceptional Form This Season
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well But Still Searching For A Win
Hideki Matsuyama

Playing Well Heading to the Valero Texas Open
Si Woo Kim

Heads to Valero Texas Open For Final Tune-Up Before Masters
Nikita Kucherov

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Ready for Action Tuesday
Sam Bennett

Rejoins Panthers Lineup Tuesday
Cody Ponce

Diagnosed With ACL Sprain, to Miss "Significant Time"
Tank Dell

Uncertain for OTAs, But Expected to Play in 2026
Alvin Kamara

Saints Still Want to Address Alvin Kamara's Contract
George Pickens

Cowboys Have "Long-Term Plans" for George Pickens
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Falcons Not Ruling Out Potential Kyle Pitts Sr. Trade
Jordan James

the "Front-Runner" to be Top Backup RB
A.J. Brown

Patriots Still Not Ruling Out an A.J. Brown Trade
Aaron Rodgers

Planning to Re-Sign With Steelers?
Seattle Seahawks

Mike Washington Jr. Would Fill a Big Need for Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams

Kenyon Sadiq a Good Fit With the Rams?
Green Bay Packers

Packers to "Strip Everything Down" on Offense
Anthony Richardson Sr.

to Stay With Colts?
NFL

Ty Simpson has Visits With Cardinals, Dolphins, Browns
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers Touch Base
Cameron Ward

Mechanical Tweaks are Focused on his Footwork
Jaylen Waddle

to Play the Slot And Outside
Geno Smith

Aaron Glenn Thinks Geno Smith Will Lead Jets to "Promised Land"
Mason Taylor

Jets Expecting a "Hell of a Year" From Mason Taylor
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Valero Texas Open
PGA

Stephan Jaegar Still Looking For Consistency at Valero Texas Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

is Red-Hot Coming to TPC San Antonio
Tony Finau

a Risky Proposition at Valero Texas Open
Ludvig Aberg

Looks to Shake Off Collapse at Valero Texas Open
Jacob deGrom

Cleared for Season Debut on Tuesday
Colt Emerson

Signs an Eight-Year Extension with Mariners
William Nylander

Records Four Points Against Ducks
Macklin Celebrini

Becomes Sixth Teenager With 100-Point Season
Jaden Schwartz

Could Return Tuesday
Jordan Greenway

Available Tuesday
Jake Sanderson

Remains Out Tuesday
Cutter Gauthier

Exits Early Against Maple Leafs
Cale Makar

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Monday
Patrick Rodgers

Needs to Make More Birdies in San Antonio
Sepp Straka

Seeks Opportunity in San Antonio This Weekend
Nick Taylor

Could Again Struggle at the Valero Texas Open
Keith Mitchell

Sets Up Solidly for TPC San Antonio
Jose Altuve

Tallies Four Hits, Two Homers in Big Night
Rickie Fowler

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Valero Texas Open
Nazem Kadri

Scores Twice in Blowout Victory
Anthony Mantha

has Three-Point Performance on Monday
Miguel Vargas

Hits Grand Slam, Drives in Six in Win Over Miami
Tanner Bibee

to Start on Tuesday Against Dodgers
Aliaksei Protas

Won't Play Tuesday
Matt McCarty

Seeking to Play into the Weekend in San Antonio
Chase Elliott

Takes Advantage of Pit Strategies for Second Career Martinsville Win
Denny Hamlin

Dominates but Finishes Second at Martinsville
Joey Logano

Bounces Back with Third-Place Finish at Martinsville
Ty Gibbs

Gains his Fourth Top-Five Finish of the Season at Martinsville
William Byron

Scores Another Top-Five Finish at Martinsville
Joe Pyfer

Extends His Winning Streak
Israel Adesanya

Loses Fourth Consecutive Fight
Maycee Barber

Suffers Her First Knockout Loss
Alexa Grasso

Scores Highlight-Reel Knockout
Niko Price

Retires After UFC Seattle Loss
Michael Chiesa

Victorious In His Retirement Fight
Julian Erosa

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Lerryan Douglas

Scores First-Round Knockout Win In His UFC Debut
Alex Bregman

Clobbers First Two Homers in Sunday's Loss at Wrigley
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Records Five Hits, Drives in Four in Win Over Cardinals
Kyle Larson

Is Likely to Pay Off for DFS at Martinsville
Christopher Bell

Could Have Another Top-10 Performance At Martinsville
William Byron

Is A Threat to Win Again at Martinsville
Chase Elliott

is A Solid DFS Option for Martinsville Lineups
Chase Briscoe

has Plenty of Upside for DFS Lineups at Martinsville
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Unlikely to See High-Leverage Opportunities in Near Future
Jacob deGrom

Feels "Much Better," Hopeful he Can Start This Week
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Martinsville?
Ryan Preece

Is A Solid DFS Option for Martinsville Lineups
Josh Berry

Could Josh Berry Pay Off for Tournament DFS Lineups At Martinsville?
Carson Hocevar

May be Too Inconsistent to Start in Martinsville DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Is Austin Cindric Worth Rostering for DFS At Martinsville?
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Martinsville
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Martinsville
Tyler Reddick

Should Come Back Down to Earth at Martinsville
Joey Logano

Will Be Strong at Martinsville
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looking to Rebound at Martinsville
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Showing Progress, Qualifies Fifth at Martinsville
Dylan Cease

Fans 12 in Blue Jays Debut on Saturday
Andrew Vaughn

Needs Hand Surgery, Expected to be Out 4-6 Weeks
Jacob deGrom

"Confident" he Will Make his Next Start
Jacob deGrom

Scratched From Saturday's Start Due to Neck Stiffness
Jeferson Quero

Brewers Calling Up Catching Prospect Jeferson Quero
Deyvison De Los Santos

Marlins Promote Deyvison De Los Santos to Major Leagues
Shea Langeliers

Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day
Kevin Gausman

Picks Up No-Decision But Strikes Out 11 on Opening Day
Joe Pyfer

Set For UFC Seattle Main Event
Israel Adesanya

Returns At UFC Seattle
Maycee Barber

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak To Eight
Alexa Grasso

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Niko Price

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michael Chiesa

Set For Retirement Fight
Lerryan Douglas

Set For His UFC Debut
Julian Erosa

Looks To Bounce Back
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF