We've reached the halfway point of the NFL season, and fantasy season (depending on your league) which means it's time to doll out some mid-season fantasy awards. So consider this our NFL Fantasy LIVE mid-season awards banquet. It's kind of like a youth sporting league, where we're basically handing everyone a participation award. Except for a few of the "bust" nominees, who have seem to have participated in about as much NFL action as we have this season. Anyway, this will have all the fun and excitement of your typical awards show, without any of the long speeches and overcooked chicken. Plus, there's no band to play anyone off the stage. Be sure to watch NFL Fantasy LIVE throughout the week to see who takes home each award!
Best waiver-wire pickup
Nominees: Justin Forsett, Ahmad Bradshaw, Steve Smith Sr.
No one knew how the Ravens backfield situation would play out, but amidst all of the Lorenzo Taliaferro and Bernard Pierce nonsense, Forsett rose to the top of the pile and has put up top-10 numbers as a fantasy running back.
Despite lots of speculation that this could be the season of T-Rich, it was actually Bradshaw who became the dominant back for the Colts. Bradshaw is a top-10 fantasy runner thanks in large part to his role in the passing game where he's caught six touchdown receptions. Only Randall Cobb has more touchdown receptions (eight) as a wide receiver than Bradshaw.
The venerable Smith was either drafted super late, or not at all. If you picked him up of the waiver wire like most owners, you've been rewarded with one of his finest seasons. He was the fifth-highest fantasy receiver heading into Week 8.
Mid-season fantasy Rookie of the Year
Nominees: Kelvin Benjamin, Sammy Watkins, Branden Oliver
Some draft pundits weren't sure if Benjamin would adapt to the NFL game, and while he's had his fair share of bone-headed rookie drops, it seems like every week he's making another highlight-reel catch. Many of which have been for touchdowns, too. He and Cam Newton forged an instant connection that has paid dividends for fantasy owners.
Watkins started off the season slowly, but that was largely due to the ineffectiveness of his quarterback. With Kyle Orton under center, Watkins has been showing the world why the Bills paid so much to move up and draft him, especially with his game-winning touchdown a week ago against the Minnesota Vikings.
Oliver was an undrafted rookie this year, but with all of the injuries to the Chargers running backs he's had a chance to get into the mix. And ever since he did, he's been a force on the field and in fantasy. He doesn't figure to lose many touches, even after Ryan Mathews returns.
Mid-season fantasy Bust of the Year
Nominees: Cordarrelle Patterson, Zac Stacy, Keenan Allen
No player was subject to more offseason hype and analysis than Patterson. Boy, were we all wrong on this one. It appears his talent alone hasn't been enough to trump adjusting to the NFL game. Owners were reaching higher and higher in drafts for Patterson as the season inched closer and closer. Patterson might have this one locked up already.
There were rumblings of a committee shaping up in St. Louis, but no one thought that committee basically would not include Stacy. That's what happened last week when Stacy saw just one offensive snap as Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham carried the way. Yes, Stacy was dealing with injuries but his ineffectiveness stretches far beyond that.
There were times this season where we weren't entirely sure whether Allen had quit the Chargers to pursue a rap career (something he debated doing last year). As it turns out, he's still part of the team. He just hasn't been very involved in Philip Rivers' magical season, frustrating the owners who drafted him as a WR2 or WR3.
Best spot start
Nominees: Matt Asiata (Week 4), Larry Donnell (Week 4), Joe Flacco (Week 6)
Asiata turned in the most Asiata performance ever in Week 4, plodding along for 78 yards and falling into the end zone three times. He finished the day with 28 fantasy points. He has since been surpassed by the far more talented Jerick McKinnon, making this spot start a distant, but good, memory.
Donnell became the flavor of the week after he owned the red zone against the Redskins on Thursday Night Football, catching three touchdowns to lead all tight ends with 23.40 fantasy points in Week 4. Since then his performances have been wildly inconsistent, further making this spot start one for the record and memory books.
With Drew Brees on a bye in Week 6, plenty of owners turned to Flacco out of desperation and were richly rewarded with his five-touchdown, 306 yard performance. Flacco seemingly threw a touchdown to every member of the Ravens, as relative unknowns Michael Campanaro and Kamar Aiken found the end zone. Yeah, it was that kind of day.
Best draft bargainÂ
Nominees: Philip Rivers (11th round), Jeremy Maclin (11th round), Lamar Miller (11th round)
Rivers currently has 20 touchdown passes with just five interceptions and has been playing some of the best football of his career. Rivers has been consistent as well, scoring over 19 fantasy points in six of his eight games so far this season. What more could you ask for out of the Baron of the Bolo, considering he was drafted in the late rounds of almost every draft.
Apparently we all should have been touting Lamar Millerthis year, as he is currently 10th in fantasy scoring among running backs. Miller survived the offseason arrival of Knowshon Moreno, and was still producing when the duo were splitting carries. With Moreno on IR now, Miller has been carrying an even bigger load, and still running like there's no tomorrow.
Mid-season fantasy MVP
Nominees: DeMarco Murray, Andrew Luck, Matt Forte
Murray has been a revelation this year behind his formidable offensive line. His 913 rushing yards are more than 28 NFL teams have total on the season.
Luck has put the Colts on his back, and leads the NFL in passing yardage. His rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns are what has helped push him to be the highest scorer in fantasy football so far.
After a very quiet start to the season, Forte has been all but unstoppable since. The veteran had two single-digit fantasy games in his first three contests, and is still the second-most fantasy points among running backs.
Be sure to get your vote in, then watch NFL Fantasy LIVE all week long to see the winners!
