Tag: trevor lawrence

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is Madman’s fantasy football MVP

Every NFL season is strange, and 2022 was no different. But one of the weirdest things about this season was how it lacked the meteoric rise of an off-the-radar player.

We didn’t have a mid-round pick finish in the top five or 10, like Deebo Samuel last season. You didn’t have a player go from complete obscurity to top-three at his position, like Robert Tonyan in 2020. You didn’t get a surprising vault to the top like Lamar Jackson in 2019.

Primarily, the top of the scoring charts were dominated by those who were near the top of draft boards. That virtually eliminated draft value as a component in choosing our fantasy MVP, which means it came down to performance and availability, and separation from positional peers.

The Madman just can’t award the MVP to a QB. Even if it was harder than normal to get by at QB this season, it still isn’t as hard as dealing with subpar running backs or wide receivers.

Speaking of running backs and wide receivers, they again populated the top of the scoring charts. Yet the top four RBs only had about one PPR point per week separating them on average. The top four wide receivers had a similar quad cluster at the top. The top QB outscored the next best QB by less than a point per week.

There was one position that had a clear runaway leader, someone so far ahead that the next best option finished nearly a touchdown per week behind, a guy who scored almost 100 more in PPR than the next best option.

The Madman’s fantasy MVP this season, for the first time ever, is a tight end: the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce.

Travis Kelce looks to evade the Broncos’ Josey Jewell after making a catch during a Chiefs game earlier this season.
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BEST QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs — A late-season injury took leader Jalen Hurts out of contention. Mahomes was just a touch better than Josh Allen over the course of the season and in the fantasy playoffs. Honorable mentions: Hurts (Eagles), Allen (Bills), Joe Burrow (Bengals).

BEST RB: Austin Ekeler, Chargers — Tight call with Christian McCaffrey. But Ekeler finished more than a point better per week in PPR. Honorable mentions: McCaffrey (Panthers/49ers), Josh Jacobs (Raiders).

BEST WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings — This one is closer than it might appear. Jefferson was a monster most weeks, but when he wasn’t, he was trash (three games in which he scored fewer than seven in PPR) — and one of those came in the title week. But … he only had one other game in which he dipped below 15, and he had seven games in which he topped 30. Even a great season by Tyreek Hill isn’t enough to overcome those numbers. Honorable mentions: Hill (Dolphins), Davante Adams (Raiders), Stefon Diggs (Bills).

BEST ROOKIE: Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets — Maybe Jets RB Breece Hall would have run way with this if he hadn’t been injured. But as it stands, instead, we give it to his teammate. Honorable mentions: Chris Olave (WR, Saints), Kenneth Walker (RB, Seahawks).

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) walks on the field during practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, Wednesday, January 4, 2023, in Florham Park, NJ.
Garrett Wilson was a great pickup for fantasy owners.
Corey Sipkin

Big weeks

Aaron Rodgers QB, Packers, vs. Lions (FanDuel $7,100/DraftKings $6,000)

The best way to try to navigate Week 18 fantasy chaos is to lean on players whose teams have something to play for. It has been a rough fantasy season for Rodgers, but with playoffs on the line, at home, against the league’s worst defense vs. QBs, we’re OK using him here.

Trevor Lawrence QB, Jaguars, vs. Titans (FD $8,000/DK $6,100)

A do-or-die game, with a QB on the rise. We’re not worried about his toe injury, and Lawrence doesn’t have to worry about Tennessee’s poor pass defense.

Trevor Lawrence has made an impact for fantasy owners.
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Allgeier RB, Falcons, vs. Buccaneers (FD $6,500/DK $5,600)

Getting good volume since Atlanta’s Week 14 bye. Facing a Bucs team with nothing to play for other than to avoid injury.

D.J. Moore WR, Panthers, at Saints (FD $7,300/DK $6,100)

Seems to be clicking with QB Sam Darnold (TD in four of five games). Not worried about motivation for eliminated Panthers, since everyone is playing and coaching for their jobs.

Small weaks

Justin Herbert QB, Chargers, at Broncos (FD $7,500/DK $6,800)

It makes no sense for the Chargers to risk Herbert with little to gain and him still nursing a shoulder ailment. Oh, and Denver has the league’s second-best defense vs. opposing fantasy QBs, so there’s that, too.

Christian McCaffrey RB, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (FD $10,000/DK $9,300)

Shot at No. 1 seed is very slim and not worth the risk to CMC, who is dealing with ankle and knee issues. Plus, Elijah Mitchell could return this week. Expect more Jordan Mason as well.

Christian McCaffrey wasn’t helpful for fantasy owners this past week.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Clement RB, Cardinals, at 49ers (FD $5,700/DK $4,900)

People might be tempted, with James Conner out. But facing the league’s top run defense, without a legitimate NFL quarterback or passing-game threat, and an RB who has more than 10 carries just once in the past four seasons? No thanks.

Garrett Wilson WR, Jets, at Dolphins (FD $7,100/DK $5,800)

It should go without saying at this point: Don’t play Wilson. Joe Flacco has gotten the call, and some will point to Wilson’s monster Week 2 with him. But we would counter with his humdrum Weeks 1 and 3.

Insanity’s Daily Duel

Site: DraftKings
Slate: Sun main (13 games)
Type: $20 tourney
Top prize: $1M

Drew’s Crew

QB — Dak Prescott (Dal, at Was) $6,600

RB — Cam Akers (LAR, at Sea) $6,200

RB — Najee Harris (Pit, vs. Cle)

WR — D.J. Moore (Car, at NO) $6,100

WR — Drake London (Atl, vs. TB) $4,900

WR — Rashid Shaheed (NO, vs. Car) $4,200

TE — Dalton Schultz (Dal, at Was) $4,500

Flex — Ja’Marr Chase (Cin, vs. Bal) $8,400

DST — Broncos (Den, vs. LAC) $2,500

Ja’Marr Chase
Getty Images

Wilk’s Warriors

QB — Geno Smith (Sea, vs. LAR) $6,000

RB — Najee Harris (Pit, vs. Cle) $6,100

RB — Kenneth Walker (Sea, vs. LAR) $6,400

WR — Brandon Aiyuk (SF, vs. Ari) $6,800

WR — DK Metcalf (Sea, vs. LAR) $6,700

WR — Rashid Shaheed (NO, vs. Car) $4,200

TE — George Kittle (SF, vs. Ari) $6,000

Flex — Alexander Mattison (Min, at Chi) $5,100

DST — Texans (Hou, at Ind) $2,700

For late roster chances, follow @NYPost_Loftis and @NYPost_Roto on Twitter

Season risked: $168
Season winnings: Jarad $135, Drew $27



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Russell Wilson returns from injury, leads Broncos to win vs. Jaguars

LONDON — Latavius Murray scored on a 2-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to help the Denver Broncos snap a four-game losing streak by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 21-17 on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.

Russell Wilson led two go-ahead scoring drives in the second half on his return from a hamstring injury. Wilson finished 18 for 30 for 252 yards with a touchdown and interception.

The embattled quarterback looked rusty early, but connected on a 47-yard completion to KJ Hamler after the Broncos fell behind 17-14 on Travis Etienne’s 1-yard touchdown run with 3:54 to play. Wilson then scrambled for 10 yards on a third-and-5 to get to the Jacksonville 28.

The late score gave Murray a touchdown for two different teams this month in London. He ran for a score for New Orleans earlier this month at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Broncos (3-5) erased a 10-point deficit on Jerry Jeudy’s 6-yard touchdown reception in the first half and Melvin Gordon’s 1-yard run to complete a 98-yard scoring drive early in the second half.

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson throws a pass against the Jaguars in London on Oct. 30, 2022.
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The announced attendance of 86,215 is the largest crowd in the history of NFL international games.

The Jaguars (2-6) lost their fifth consecutive game despite a career day from Etienne, who carried 24 times for 156 yards and a touchdown.

Etienne scored on a 1-yard plunge to give Jacksonville a 17-14 lead with 3:54 to play.

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson celebrates after a win over the Jaguars in London on Oct. 30, 2022.
USA TODAY Sports

After Murray’s touchdown with 1:43 remaining, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw an interception to K’Waun Williams at the Jacksonville 35.

Lawrence had a costly red zone interception on a first-and-goal from the 1 in the first half. Lawrence was 18 for 31 for 133 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

On Denver’s first possession after the break, Wilson connected three times with rookie tight end Greg Dulcich, including a 38-yard completion to the 1. Gordon then ran it in to give the Broncos a 14-10 lead.

Wilson missed last week’s game because of a strained hamstring and looked rusty early, throwing an interception on his second pass.

The Broncos didn’t get their first first down until almost midway through the second quarter.

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Trevor Lawrence showed grit during Jaguars’ struggles

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Trevor Lawrence learned it is not always what you do, but where you go and who you are there with.

The top pick in a draft almost always goes to a bad team, but the Jaguars in 2021 were not just bad, but uniquely dysfunctional — with Urban Meyer, a college coaching guru, showing he was remarkably unfit for an NFL job. Lawrence had to navigate through some choppy seas, but he never lost his dignity even as he lost, week after week, on the field.

The quarterback did, however, admit he lost some of his confidence.

“There are times when it gets a little shaky, and you really have to work through that,’’ Lawrence said a few days before the Jaguars hosted the Giants on Sunday. “Honestly, there were times last year where you start to question some things. This game really tests you mentally — obviously physically but mentally especially, really when you’re having not a great year, as a team, as a player, as an offense, whatever that may be, you really just have to keep that confidence.’’

Trevor Lawrence
Getty Images

For most of his life, all Lawrence knew was winning. His high school teams won 41 consecutive games and two state championships in Georgia. Lawrence won his first 29 games at Clemson and finished his college career with a record of 38-2, but he is 5-18 as an NFL starter. Yet at 23 years old, his potential remains extremely high, based on his physical ability and his mental acuity.

“Honestly, I haven’t been challenged too much, as far as my confidence, until really, getting into the NFL,’’ Lawrence said. “Things have gone pretty smoothly in my career. I’ve had a few bumps in the road, but really last year was challenging.’’

Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2017, thus he was on a recruiting trail that took him to Cartersville, Ga.

“Tremendous high school football player,’’ Daboll said. “You go down there and watch a practice. He can play on Sundays when he was down there in high school. He was really, really talented. He’s really talented now. I think he’s doing a great job in coach [Doug] Pederson’s offense. He’s big. He can throw it accurately. He can move. They run him on some quarterback, not just keepers, but also quarterback-designed runs, too. So, athletic, smart. He’s a really good person, too. He’s going to be a good player in this league for a long time.’’

Last week, Lawrence completed 20 of 22 passes for 165 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, while also rushing for two touchdowns. His quarterback rating was 113.1, but the Jaguars were beaten in Indianapolis, 34-27. Lawrence became the first quarterback in NFL history to lose a game with 20-plus passing attempts, 90-plus completion percentage, three total touchdowns and no turnovers.

Giants safety Xavier McKinney faced Lawrence once when the two were in college. Lawrence tossed three touchdown passes to close out his sensational true freshman year, and Clemson completed a 15-0 season with a 44-16 rout of Alabama in the national championship game.

“Obviously, I think he’s a really good quarterback,’’ McKinney said. “He has a really good arm and makes smart decisions — he’s grown a lot since I played him. He was young when I first played him, but he was really good. He’s gotten a lot better, and it shows.’’

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