TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Mitchell Marner

Collects Three Points on Wednesday
Tomas Hertl

Scores the Overtime Winner
Oakland Athletics

A's Open to Kyler Murray Exploring a Return to Baseball
Coby White

is Available on Wednesday
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Won't Play on Wednesday
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Suffers Small Fracture in his Finger
VJ Edgecombe

is Ruled Out on Wednesday
Isaiah Hartenstein

to Play on Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

is Cleared for Wednesday's Contest
Collin Murray-Boyles

to Remain Sidelined on Thursday
Egor Demin

Ruled Out for Thursday's Game
Brandon Ingram

Considered Questionable For Thursday
Kyshawn George

Slated to Miss Thursday's Matchup With Jazz
Drey Jameson

Could be a Sleeper Out of the Arizona Bullpen
Brandon Williams

Expected to Suit Up Against Magic on Thursday
Rafael Devers

Feeling Much Better, Could Return This Weekend
Abner Uribe

Dominates Tigers; a Saves Candidate in Milwaukee?
Dylan Crews

Returns to Grapefruit League Lineup on Wednesday
Cooper Flagg

Considered Questionable For Thursday
Trae Young

Off Injury List For Thursday
Shane McClanahan

Throws Two Scoreless Innings in Spring Debut
Kirby Yates

Is Kirby Yates the Favorite for Closing Duties in Anaheim?
Klay Thompson

Probable For Thursday's Clash With Magic
Stefon Diggs

Patriots Releasing Stefon Diggs
Mick Abel

Making his Case as Twins Starter in 2026
Corbin Carroll

Progressing to Batting Practice Swings
Byron Buxton

Looking Like a Draft-Day Value
Merrill Kelly

Scheduled for Bullpen Session on Thursday
Cam Schlittler

to Make Grapefruit League Debut on Friday
Andrew Kittredge

Dealing With Shoulder Inflammation
Walker Jenkins

Reassigned to Minor-League Camp
Cody Bellinger

Scheduled to Return to Grapefruit League Action on Thursday
Matt Shaw

to Start Seeing More Time in the Outfield
Hunter Greene

Says he Doesn't Have UCL Damage
Nolan McLean

Feeling Better, to Throw 50-55 Pitches in Sim Game
Trent McDuffie

Chiefs Sending Trent McDuffie to Rams in Blockbuster Deal
Hunter Greene

to Undergo MRI for Elbow Injury
Taylor Moore

Looking to Build on Cognizant Classic Finish
Robert MacIntyre

Brings Solid Form to Bay Hill
Scottie Scheffler

the Tournament Favorite at Bay Hill
Jonathan Drouin

Ready to Go Wednesday
Xander Schauffele

Trending Well Ahead of API
Jake Walman

Avoids Major Injury Tuesday
Marcus Johansson

Makes Early Exit Versus Lightning
Cole Smith

Golden Knights Pick Up Cole Smith From Nashville
Michael McCarron

Sent to Wild for Second-Round Pick
Ryan O'Reilly

Sustains Eye Injury Tuesday
Artturi Lehkonen

Deemed Week-to-Week
Kevin Love

Active Wednesday Night
Jaden Ivey

to Miss Five-Game Road Trip
Zach Edey

Has Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Matas Buzelis

Exits Early Tuesday
Josh Giddey

Hurts Ankle Tuesday
Jarrett Allen

Exits Early With Knee Injury
Si Woo Kim

Looking to Return to Top Form at Bay Hill
Leon Draisaitl

Dominates With Five-Point Game
Ben Griffin

Looking to Return to Form at Arnold Palmer Invitational
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks to Build on Cognizant Classic Win at Arnold Palmer
Sam Burns

Searching for Consistency at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Daniel Berger

Offers Sneaky Upside at Bay Hill
Jack Hughes

Contributes With Two Assists
Dougie Hamilton

Picks Up Two Points in Win
Jacob Markstrom

Cruises to Win
Dylan Guenther

Picks Up Two Points on Tuesday Night
Jeremy Swayman

Defeats the Penguins
Zion Williamson

Ready to Take on Lakers
VJ Edgecombe

Sustains Back Injury Tuesday
Justin Thomas

Making Season Debut at API Following Lower-Back Surgery
NASCAR

Collin Morikawa Hopes To Better Last Year's Runner-Up Finish at API
Emmet Sheehan

Behind in Camp Due to Illness
Tommy Fleetwood

Isn't As Confident of a Start at Bay Hill as Previous Weeks
Blake Lizotte

Unavailable Against Bruins
Marcus Foligno

Considered Week-to-Week
Jonas Brodin

Rejoins Wild Lineup
John Carlson

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Mikael Granlund

Troy Terry, Mikael Granlund Remain Out Tuesday
J.T. Miller

Lands on Injured Reserve
Kyler Murray

Will be Released
Trey Hendrickson

Bengals Not Using the Franchise Tag on Trey Hendrickson
Daniel Jones

Colts Place Transition Tag on Daniel Jones
Adam Scott

Might Endure Tough Times at Bay Hill
Aldrich Potgieter

Extremely Risky When it Comes to Bay Hill
PGA

Sungjae Im to Make Season Debut at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Jordan Spieth

an All-or-Nothing Option at Bay Hill
Harry Hall

Trying to Rebound After the Genesis Invitational
Ryan Gerard

Needs Better Start at Bay Hill
Kenneth Walker III

Won't Get the Franchise Tag
Patrick Cantlay

Still Plagued by Bad Putting Ahead of Arnold Palmer Invititational
Daniel Jones

Colts Expected to Use Transition Tag on Daniel Jones
Breece Hall

Jets Placing Franchise Tag on Breece Hall
CFB

Mark Stoops Joining Texas Coaching Staff
Jason Day

Attempts to Bounce Back from The Genesis Invitational
Jacob Bridgeman

Rolling into Arnold Palmer Invitational
Russell Henley

Looks to Defend Title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Khalil Mack

Will Play in 2026
MMA

Lone'er Kavanagh Gets Back In The Win Column
Brandon Moreno

Gets Outclassed
Marlon Vera

Loses Fourth Fight In A Row
Daniel Jones

Colts Have "50/50" Chance to Get a Deal Done With Daniel Jones
David Martinez

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Daniel Zellhuber

Loses Third Consecutive Fight
King Green

Gets Second-Round TKO Win
Felipe Bunes

Drops Decision At UFC Mexico City
Édgar Cháirez

Edgar Chairez Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ryan Blaney

Falls to Eighth Despite Running Most of the Race in the Top Five At COTA
Ty Gibbs

Wins A Stage and Finishes Fourth At COTA
Christopher Bell

Earns First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at COTA
Kyler Murray

"Repeatedly" Linked to Jets
Shane Van Gisbergen

Falls Short of Victory At COTA
Tyler Reddick

Wins At COTA and Makes NASCAR History
David Montgomery

Texans Acquire David Montgomery From Lions
Kyler Murray

Likely to be Released
Travis Etienne Jr.

Not Expected to be Franchise-Tagged
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Planning to Release Aaron Jones Sr.?
Tyler Reddick

Could Make History at COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Still the Favorite at COTA
Christopher Bell

Will Be Tough to Beat at COTA
AJ Allmendinger

Could Contend at COTA
Connor Zilisch

Carries Plenty of Upside for DFS at COTA
Chase Elliott

May be A Strong Contender Again at COTA
Chris Buescher

Is Nothing But Consistent at Road Courses
Ross Chastain

May Be An Underrated Competitor for the Win at COTA
William Byron

Is William Byron a Viable DFS Option for COTA?
Carson Hocevar

Needs Clean Race at COTA
Kyle Larson

Could be A Decent DFS Option for COTA Lineups
Ryan Blaney

Could Ryan Blaney be A Sleeper DFS Option for All Formats for COTA?
Chase Briscoe

Should DFS Players Roster Chase Briscoe at COTA?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Is A Favorable Value Option for COTA DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

Could Ty Gibbs Be A Rosterable DFS Play for COTA?
A.J. Brown

Patriots "Have Explored Trade Talks" Involving A.J. Brown
Lone'er Kavanagh

Set For UFC Mexico City Main Event
Brandon Moreno

Looks To Bounce Back
David Martinez

Set For UFC Mexico City Co-Main Event
Marlon Vera

In Dire Need Of Victory
King Green

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Zellhuber

Aims To Snap Two-Fight Skid
Felipe Bunes

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Édgar Cháirez

Edgar Chairez A Favorite At UFC Mexico City
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Interested in Trading George Pickens
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF