That’s a wrap folks! Another very normal, nothing out of the ordinary season of fantasy football in the books. I mean, other than that whole flesh eating virus and the record number of touchdowns scored. The virus doesn’t eat flesh. What are you an epidemiologist now, random italicized voice? Well there actually were a record number of touchdowns scored in 2020. Maybe it was because the lack of preseason put defenses at a severe disadvantage, maybe it was because no fans make it much easier for road teams to score, or maybe it was because of the Russians. Regardless, fantasy quarterbacks (and running backs and wide receivers) put up some ridiculous numbers this season. In this series I’ll be going over the top players at each position, listed in order of how many fantasy points they actually scored this season. This is not a ranking for 2021 fantasy football. I repeat, THIS IS NOT A RANKING FOR 2021! Anyway, here’s the top 20 quarterbacks for 2020 fantasy football and how they compared to where I originally ranked them:
1. Josh Allen – Vindication! I can’t tell you how many people called me an idiot this preseason when I suggested there was still hope for Allen to improve his passing accuracy and make the leap to elite with Stefon Diggs. My mother even told me I was dumber than rocks. Although she’s been telling me that for decades. But Josh Allen is a bonafide fantasy beast, so who’s laughing now Ma! Preseason Rank #6, 2020 Projections: 3,500 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 550 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns in 15 games. Final Numbers: 4,544 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 421 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
2. Aaron Rodgers – Did the Jordan Love draft pick really light a fire? Meh. I think it was mostly having a healthy Davante Adams for the majority of the year combined with no crowds to mess with his “Green 52” hard counts on the road. Either way this was a career year and in no way did I see it coming. Preseason Rank #9, 2020 Projections: 4,200 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 180 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 16 games. Final Numbers: 4,299 passing yards, 48 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 149 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
3. Kyler Murray – Direct hit! I ranked him #3 and he finished #3. I sunk your battleship! Kyler was the player I owned on the most of my fantasy teams this year and he was better than even I had hoped in the first half of the season. Unfortunately that pesky midseason shoulder injury hampered what very well might have been the #1 fantasy QB season. He and Mahomie will be neck and neck as my #1 heading into 2021. Preseason Rank #3, 2020 Projections: 4,000 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 600 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns in 15 games. Final Numbers: 3,971 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 819 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
4. Patrick Mahomes – What has the world come to when 4,700 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns is a disappointment?! Alright, fake news, it’s not actually a disappointment. This #4 finish is an illusion like when David Blaine shoved that Ford Explorer up his butt. Mahomes would likely have finished all the way up at #1 or #2 had he not been rested in week 17. Preseason Rank #1, 2020 Projections: 4,400 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 205 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns in 15 games. Final Numbers: 4,740 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 302 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns in 15 games.
5. Deshaun Watson – Did you know Watson led the league in passing yards? Me neither. I mean, obviously I do now because I just wrote it. But I didn’t at one point not long ago and I’ll probably forget it in the not-too-distant future. What was I saying again? Oh yeah, Deshaun is really damn good, even without DeAndre Hopkins. Can’t wait to see where he’s traded to this offseason and what kind of weapons he’ll have at his disposal. Preseason Rank #5, 2020 Projections: 3,750 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 470 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns in 15 games. Final Numbers: 4,823 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 444 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
6. Russell Wilson – I was ready to give Russ the MVP around week 4. Mama was right, I’m dumb. Was Russ injured in the second half of the year? Maybe. I’ve become pretty convinced that it was just a shift in Petey Sunshine’s play calling due to ball security issues and a finally healthy defense. I’ll likely be avoiding Wilson in 2021. Preseason Rank #4, 2020 Projections: 4,000 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 350 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns in 16 games. Final Numbers: 4,212 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 513 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
7. Ryan Tannehill – I was one of the few believers in Tannehill as a QB1 coming into the season, but the Tan Man blew away my lofty projections. The seven rushing touchdowns were the big surprise from a guy who had never scored more than one rushing TD in a season prior to the four he scored in 2019. I still don’t think we should expect more than a couple ground scores moving forward as long as Derrick Henry is a Titan, but even the haters still have to admit Tannehill has become the real deal. Preseason Rank #11, 2020 Projections: 4,300 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 250 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 15 games. Final Numbers: 3,817 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 266 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
8. Tom Brady – Another direct hit! Old man Brady provides a glimpse at what a ridiculously high scoring season this really was. I ranked him #8 projecting him for 30 passing touchdowns and he finished #8 with 40 passing touchdowns. Basically, if you weren’t able to throw 25 passing touchdowns this year then it’s time to hang up the jock because your fantasy owners would like to repay the kick to the nuts. Preseason Rank #8, 2020 Projections: 4,500 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 30 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns in 16 games. Final Numbers: 4,633 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 6 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
9. Justin Herbert – And the late QB crowd rejoices! Herby set all kinds of rookie records, breaking the marks set by legends of the gridiron: Baker Mayfield and Carson Wentz. OK, so those names aren’t super impressive, but Herbert’s rookie season really was a thing of beauty. The consistency was what impressed me most and I can’t wait to see how he follows it up–on someone else’s fantasy team. Preseason Rank #38, 2020 Projections: None. Final Numbers: 4,336 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 234 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns in 15 games.
10. Lamar Jackson – The story here is less about Jackson’s underperformance and more about the handful of unexpected performances listed above. LJax did come a little shy of my passing touchdown projection, but we knew some degree of pass regression was likely to come. He rewarded those owners who were patient with some huge numbers in the fantasy playoffs. Preseason Rank #2, 2020 Projections: 2,915 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 1,000 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns in 14 games. Final Numbers: 2,757 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 1,005 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns in 15 games.
11. Kirk Cousins – Here’s where it drops off a cliff like Antonio Brown’s career in 2019. Did Captain Kirk put up a nice year end stat line? Sure. Would I be happy starting him every week in a 1-QB league? Nah, I’d rather slam my junk in a car door. Preseason Rank #18, 2020 Projections: 4,200 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 100 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 16 games. Final Numbers: 4,265 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 156 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 16 games.
12. Matt Ryan – Ah ha! Another direct hit! What did I win? A case of Natty Ice signed by Matty Ice. I hope that comes with a gift receipt. Do you need anymore proof of the drop-off after #10? These guys all put up fine year end numbers but week in week out, they were less reliable than my stoner cousin Rufus. Preseason Rank #12, 2020 Projections: 4,500 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 130 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 16 games. Final Numbers: 4,581 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 92 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
13. Derek Carr – How could I be so spot on with my projections and sooo far off on final fantasy ranking? If you reached this page by Googling “final fantasy ranking,” welcome! Anyway, I must have had some sort of unreasonable preseason bias I was holding against Carr when I bumped him down that far. Maybe it was the fact that Waller was the only receiving threat I trusted; who would’ve guessed Nelson Agholor had more of a pulse than Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards combined. Preseason Rank #28, 2020 Projections: 4,100 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 60 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 16 games. Final Numbers: 4,103 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 140 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
14. Ben Roethlisberger – Was Big Ben better than I expected? Debatable. He had some really big games, but there were also times when he looked like Smoking Jay Cutler out there. I think it’s time for Ben to call it a career. Preseason Rank #26, 2020 Projections: 3,900 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 25 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 15 games. Final Numbers: 3,803 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 11 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns in 15 games.
15. Matthew Stafford – #15 ranked fantasy QB but #1 toughest QB. He could lose his right arm in a freak meat slicing accident and still play four quarters plus overtime that same evening. This was a respectable season coming off a back injury with no Kenny Golladay to lean on. Of course, Golladay is also free-agent this offseason so Stafford may not have him next year either. Preseason Rank #21, 2020 Projections: 3,800 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 60 rushing yards in 14 games. Final Numbers: 4,084 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 112 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
16. Cam Newton – This has to be the strangest full season quarterback stat line in the past decade. Eight passing touchdowns in fifteen games. EIGHT. With 10 interceptions too. Excuse me, I need to go rinse with mouthwash to get rid of the vomit taste. Preseason Rank #20, 2020 Projections: 3,630 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 240 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdown in 14 games. Final Numbers: 2,657 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 592 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns in 15 games.
17. Baker Mayfield – Whatever you do, don’t look at Mayfield’s game log from weeks 1-11. It’s scarier than having to watch all of Baker’s Progressive commercials on an endless loop. On the plus side, there were 4 of 16 games where you would’ve been happy to start him, and three of those at least come consecutively. I know, I’m grasping for straws here. Preseason Rank #10, 2020 Projections: 4,000 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 140 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 16 games. Final Numbers: 3,563 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 165 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
18. Teddy Bridgewater – I had to triple check this stat line. 15 passing touchdowns? That doesn’t even seem possible. With D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel all looking good this season I would’ve guess Teddy Two Gloves had 25 TDs minimum. Maybe Matt Rhule isn’t the mastermind all the college folks claimed. We may have another Chip Kelly on our hands here. Preseason Rank #24, 2020 Projections: 3,600 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 60 rushing yards in 15 games. Final Numbers: 3,733 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 279 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns in 15 games.
19. Jared Goff – I had the same reaction here as I did to Teddy: only 20 passing TDs?! Seems unthinkable in the anti-defense season with a wide receiver corps of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Josh Reynolds and Van Jefferson. Apparently the record touchdown numbers were heavily weighted toward the top 10 QBs and a handful of running backs. Preseason Rank #16, 2020 Projections: 4,300 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 50 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown in 15 games. Final Numbers: 3,952 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 99 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns in 15 games.
20. Philip Rivers – No surprises here, a nice boring stat line as Rivers shot putted his way into the top 20. Pretty impressive when you consider he has 34 kids to take care of too. Preseason Rank #27, 2020 Projections: 4,300 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 20 rushing yards in 16 games. Final Numbers: 4,169 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, -8 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
Honorable Mentions:
Dak Prescott –  How can I not mention Dak? He held the number one per game fantasy average with 27.03 points in his first five games. Through the first four games Dak was on an incredible 16-game pace of 6,760 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns. Let’s hope Prescott is ready to go by week one. Preseason Rank #7, 2020 Projections: 4,200 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 300 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns in 16 games. Final Numbers: 1,856 passing yards, 9 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 93 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns in 5 games.
Jalen Hurts – I’m amped about Hurts. I really think he has what it takes to be the next Lamar Jackson. The Eagles aren’t really going to bring in Adam Gase to revitalize Carson Wentz, are they? Please tell me they can’t be that stupid. Has to be the fakest of fake news. Preseason Rank #37, 2020 Projections: None. Final Numbers: 1,061 passing yards, 6 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 357 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns in 5 games.
