The 2010 fantasy football season was without question, one of the strangest and most unpredictable ever. The top overall point scorer wasn't even drafted in most leagues. Furthermore, the third highest-scoring running back and the second highest-scoring wide receiver weren't even on most fantasy cheat sheets! Now that this wild campaign is in the rearview mirror, it's time to hand out some fantasy hardware for the most notable statistical accomplishments.
So without further ado, here are NFL.com's 2010 Guru Awards.
Fantasy MVP
Michael Vick, QB, Eagles: Vick wasn't even the No. 1 quarterback on his own team entering the regular season, but an injury to Kevin Kolb opened to door for him to earn a more prominent role. He went on to finish the fantasy football season with 310.32 points on NFL.com -- to lead all players. More impressively, he recorded those numbers despite missing three-plus games. (Runner-up: Arian Foster, RB, Texans)
Breakout player of the year
Arian Foster, RB, Texans: The Texans drafted Ben Tate looking to improve their rushing attack in 2010. Little did they know that the solution was already on their roster. Foster grabbed the starting role and ran with it, recording an impressive 2,208 scrimmage yards and 16 total touchdowns. Shockingly, Foster's average draft position on NFL.com was Round 9. (Runner-up: Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns)
Sleeper of the year
Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns: Much like the Texans, the Browns took a rookie in the NFL Draft to improve their rushing game. But when Montario Hardesty was lost for the season, Hillis moved up the depth chart and became the offensive centerpiece. The Arkansas product went on to record career bests across the board and helped numerous fantasy owners reach the postseason. (Runner-up: Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers)
Super sleeper of the year
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Broncos: When the regular season opened, the names Demaryius Thomas, Eddie Royal and Jabar Gaffney were all viable fantasy sleepers among the Broncos wideouts. But despite not being drafted in most leagues, it was Lloyd who emerged as the most valuable option. Believe it or not, the veteran finished second in fantasy points at his position on NFL.com. (Runner-up: Steve Johnson, WR, Bills)
Rookie of the year
Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers: There were a ton of promising rookies in the 2010 NFL Draft class, but none of the big names panned out. Instead, it was Williams who became the best first-year player in fantasy football. The Syracuse product finished in the top 15 in fantasy points among wideouts, scoring more points than Larry Fitzgerald and Marques Colston. (Runner-up: LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers)
Bust of the year
Randy Moss, WR, Titans: Moss, who had an average draft position of Round 2 (15.92) on NFL.com, finished with the worst single-season totals of his entire career. Between the Patriots, Vikings and Titans, Moss combined to record 27 receptions, 375 yards and five touchdowns. In all, a total of 66 wide receivers scored more fantasy points than Moss in 2010. (Runner-up: Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers)
Draft value of the year
Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: What do Jerome Harrison, Clinton Portis, Marion Barber and C.J. Spiller have in common? All of them had a higher average draft position than McFadden. Considered a risk due to his proneness to injuries over his first two NFL seasons, McFadden turned skeptics into believers by posting career fantasy bests across the board. (Runner-up: Arian Foster, RB, Texans)
Waiver pickup of the year
Michael Vick, QB, Eagles: No one can argue that 2010 was the year of the waiver wire in fantasy football, as countless free agents turned into superstars. But no one was better than Vick, who didn't even have his name called in most fantasy drafts but still ended up as the most productive player. He'll now warrant a first-round pick in most 2011 fantasy drafts. (Runner-up: Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns)
Comeback player of the year
Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs: Bowe's value had taken a major hit after the 2009 campaign, as he recorded career lows in all the major categories and was suspended for a number of games as well. But with the help of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and a more explosive pass attack, Bowe went on to lead all wideouts in fantasy points on the strength of his 15 touchdowns. (Runner-up: Brandon Lloyd, WR, Broncos)
Performance of the year
Michael Vick, QB, Eagles -- Week 10: If you were lucky enough to have Vick active in Week 10, well, you were part of fantasy football history. He went off against the Redskins, throwing for 333 yards, rushing for another 80 yards and scoring a total of six touchdowns. It was the greatest single-game fantasy performance by a quarterback of all time. (Runner-up: Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders - Week 7)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question for Michael on anything fantasy football related? Leave it in our comments section or send it to **AskFabiano@nfl.com**!
