As a firm believer in looking forward in fantasy football, I do get a kick out of looking back at historical performances and their suggestive connections to present-day action.

I’ll be the first to warn gamers not to get caught up in what has happened in fake football. We can utilize aspects of the past as a piece of the puzzle when looking ahead, albeit with far more emphasis on the current landscape. It’s such a team-centric game that much of what we observed even a year ago is irrelevant in 2019.

That said, going back to the 2000 season uncovers several interesting performances. The focus is how the 100 best performances stacked up against each other through last year, and if anything jumps out that we can apply to the ’19 forecast. In most applications of data from yesteryear, or even last season, fantasy footballers will realize they’re putting a square peg into a round hole.

Join The Huddle to get the winning fantasy football playbook for 2019!

To help balance quarterbacks vs. the rest of the players, point-per-reception scoring gives an illustration of positional value on the high end. When examining on the whole, averages favor quarterbacks. Simply put, conventional fantasy scoring systems result in more quarterbacks producing more points than the other positions. However, top-end running backs and receivers stand out by a wide margin.

Top 100 PPR scoring

Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	P_Yd	P_TD	Int	Ru_Yd	Ru_TD	Rec	Re_Yd	Re_TD	PPR
1	2006	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	20	2	0	1815	28	56	508	3	483.1
2	2000	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	0	0	0	1359	18	81	830	8	459.9
3	2003	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1420	27	74	690	0	447.0
4	2003	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	21	1	0	1645	13	100	725	4	443.8
5	2002	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1615	21	70	672	3	442.7
6	2001	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	0	0	0	1382	12	83	765	9	425.7
7	2006	Steven Jackson	RB	STL	0	0	0	1528	13	90	806	3	419.4
8	2018	Patrick Mahomes	QB	KAN	5097	50	12	272	2	0	0	0	417.1
9	2013	Peyton Manning	QB	DEN	5477	55	10	-31	1	0	0	0	412.0
10	2016	David Johnson	RB	ARI	0	0	0	1239	16	80	879	4	407.8
11	2000	Edgerrin James	RB	IND	0	0	0	1709	13	63	594	5	403.3
12	2009	Chris Johnson	RB	TEN	0	0	0	2006	14	50	503	2	398.9
13	2007	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4806	50	8	98	2	0	0	0	398.0
14	2011	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4643	45	6	257	3	0	0	0	397.4
15	2010	Arian Foster	RB	HOU	0	0	0	1616	16	66	604	2	396.0
16	2011	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5476	46	14	86	1	0	0	0	395.6
17	2003	Ahman Green	RB	GNB	0	0	0	1883	15	50	367	5	395.0
18	2015	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	3837	35	10	636	10	0	0	0	389.1
19	2015	Antonio Brown	WR	PIT	0	0	0	28	0	136	1834	10	388.2
20	2014	Antonio Brown	WR	PIT	20	1	0	13	0	129	1698	13	386.9
21	2002	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	0	0	0	1683	14	79	489	1	386.2
22	2018	Saquon Barkley	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1307	11	91	721	4	385.8
23	2018	Christian McCaffrey	RB	CAR	50	1	0	1098	7	107	867	6	385.5
24	2007	Randy Moss	WR	NWE	0	0	0	0	0	98	1493	23	385.3
25	2002	Marvin Harrison	WR	IND	0	0	0	10	0	143	1722	11	384.2
26	2017	Todd Gurley	RB	LAR	0	0	0	1305	13	64	788	6	383.3
27	2004	Daunte Culpepper	QB	MIN	4717	39	11	406	2	0	0	0	381.3
28	2016	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4428	40	7	369	4	0	0	0	380.0
29	2005	Shaun Alexander	RB	SEA	0	0	0	1880	27	15	78	1	378.8
30	2003	Randy Moss	WR	MIN	0	0	0	18	0	111	1632	17	378.0
31	2013	Jamaal Charles	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1287	12	70	693	7	378.0
32	2011	Ray Rice	RB	BAL	1	1	0	1364	12	76	704	3	376.8
33	2006	Larry Johnson	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1789	17	41	410	2	374.9
34	2011	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	4051	21	17	706	14	1	27	0	374.3
35	2007	Brian Westbrook	RB	PHI	0	0	0	1333	7	90	771	5	372.4
36	2018	Todd Gurley	RB	LAR	0	0	0	1251	17	59	580	4	372.1
37	2002	Ricky Williams	RB	MIA	0	0	0	1853	16	47	363	1	370.6
38	2014	Le’Veon Bell	RB	PIT	0	0	0	1361	8	83	854	3	370.5
39	2011	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	5235	39	12	109	3	0	0	0	370.3
40	2015	Julio Jones	WR	ATL	0	0	0	0	0	136	1871	8	369.1
41	2005	Larry Johnson	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1750	20	33	343	1	368.3
42	2005	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	47	3	0	1462	18	51	370	2	368.1
43	2007	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	17	1	0	1474	15	60	475	3	367.6
44	2004	Peyton Manning	QB	IND	4557	49	10	38	0	0	0	0	362.1
45	2011	Calvin Johnson	WR	DET	0	0	0	11	0	96	1681	16	361.2
46	2005	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1860	9	54	530	2	361.0
47	2003	Torry Holt	WR	STL	0	0	0	5	0	117	1696	12	359.1
48	2013	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5162	39	12	52	3	0	0	0	357.7
49	2018	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	4924	35	7	125	3	1	5	1	355.0
50	2018	Alvin Kamara	RB	NOR	0	0	0	883	14	81	709	4	354.2
Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	P_Yd	P_TD	Int	Ru_Yd	Ru_TD	Rec	Re_Yd	Re_TD	PPR
51	2014	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4381	38	5	269	2	0	0	0	354.1
52	2001	Marvin Harrison	WR	IND	0	0	0	3	0	109	1524	15	351.7
53	2014	Andrew Luck	QB	IND	4761	40	16	273	3	0	0	0	351.7
54	2004	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1518	13	52	578	2	351.6
55	2014	DeMarco Murray	RB	DAL	0	0	0	1845	13	57	416	0	351.1
56	2009	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4434	30	7	316	5	0	0	0	351.0
57	2000	Daunte Culpepper	QB	MIN	3937	33	16	470	7	0	0	0	350.5
58	2017	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	3983	34	11	586	3	0	0	0	347.9
59	2016	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	4944	38	7	117	0	0	0	0	347.5
60	2012	Adrian Peterson	RB	MIN	0	0	0	2097	12	40	217	1	347.4
61	2002	Charlie Garner	RB	OAK	0	0	0	962	7	91	941	4	347.3
62	2014	Matt Forte	RB	CHI	0	0	0	1038	6	102	808	4	346.6
63	2012	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5177	43	19	5	1	0	0	0	345.6
64	2011	Matthew Stafford	QB	DET	5038	41	16	78	0	0	0	0	345.3
65	2015	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4770	36	7	53	3	1	36	0	344.7
66	2012	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4295	39	8	259	2	1	-1	0	344.6
67	2000	Jeff Garcia	QB	SFO	4278	31	10	414	4	0	0	0	342.5
68	2012	Calvin Johnson	WR	DET	0	0	0	0	0	122	1964	5	342.4
69	2000	Eddie George	RB	TEN	0	0	0	1509	14	50	453	2	342.2
70	2018	Ben Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	5129	34	16	98	3	1	-1	0	341.9
71	2017	Le’Veon Bell	RB	PIT	0	0	0	1291	9	85	655	2	341.6
72	2014	Demaryius Thomas	WR	DEN	0	0	0	0	0	111	1619	11	340.9
73	2012	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4827	34	8	32	4	0	0	0	340.3
74	2004	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	38	0	0	1335	17	53	441	1	340.1
75	2005	Steve Smith	WR	CAR	0	0	0	25	1	103	1563	12	339.8
76	2015	Brandon Marshall	WR	NYJ	0	0	0	0	0	109	1502	14	339.2
77	2002	Hines Ward	WR	PIT	0	0	0	142	0	112	1329	12	339.1
78	2001	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1555	8	62	614	2	338.9
79	2013	Matt Forte	RB	CHI	0	0	0	1339	9	74	594	3	337.3
80	2003	Jamal Lewis	RB	BAL	0	0	0	2066	14	26	205	0	337.1
81	2015	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	4024	34	8	553	1	0	0	0	336.3
82	2011	Wes Welker	WR	NWE	0	0	0	30	0	122	1569	9	335.9
83	2006	Brian Westbrook	RB	PHI	0	0	0	1217	7	77	699	4	334.6
84	2012	Brandon Marshall	WR	CHI	0	0	0	-2	0	118	1508	11	334.6
85	2018	Tyreek Hill	WR	KAN	0	0	0	151	1	87	1479	12	334.0
86	2018	DeAndre Hopkins	WR	HOU	0	0	0	-7	0	115	1572	11	333.5
87	2002	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1387	11	69	597	0	333.4
88	2006	Frank Gore	RB	SFO	0	0	0	1695	8	61	485	1	333.0
89	2009	Adrian Peterson	RB	MIN	0	0	0	1383	18	43	436	0	332.9
90	2003	Deuce McAllister	RB	NOR	0	0	0	1641	8	69	516	0	332.7
91	2001	Terrell Owens	WR	SFO	0	0	0	21	0	93	1412	16	332.3
92	2016	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5208	37	15	20	2	0	0	0	332.3
93	2018	Deshaun Watson	QB	HOU	4165	26	9	551	5	0	0	0	331.7
94	2015	DeAndre Hopkins	WR	HOU	0	0	0	0	0	111	1521	11	331.1
95	2004	Muhsin Muhammad	WR	CAR	0	0	0	15	0	93	1405	16	331.0
96	2011	Rob Gronkowski	TE	NWE	0	0	0	2	1	90	1327	17	330.9
97	2013	LeSean McCoy	RB	PHI	0	0	0	1607	9	52	539	2	330.6
98	2014	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	3475	20	7	849	6	1	17	0	330.6
99	2002	Shaun Alexander	RB	SEA	0	0	0	1175	16	59	460	2	330.5
100	2011	LeSean McCoy	RB	PHI	0	0	0	1309	17	48	315	3	330.4

LaDainian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes and Marshall Faulk dominated the top-six performances. The position, even in PPR scoring, thoroughly owns the top-30 efforts. We have five wide receiver seasons — 80 percent of which came from the same two guys — in the top 30. Let that sink in … History says owners who drafted running backs early had a greater chance of a historic season than those who loaded up on WRs early on.

That’s not an argument to avoid wideouts early, but it certainly lends to one for favoring at least one RB earlier in drafts. Blending the positions is far more successful time after time than going super heavy in either direction. Sure, players sneak in studly outings from later rounds. Counting on it to always work in your favor is ill-advised.

Performance by year

2000: 5	2010: 1
2001: 4	2011: 10
2002: 8	2012: 6
2003: 7	2013: 5
2004: 5	2014: 8
2005: 5	2015: 7
2006: 6	2016: 4
2007: 4	2017: 3
2008: 0	2018: 10
2009: 3	2019: TBD

There’s no obvious pattern, and the results are all over the place. Someone may see 10 performances in 2018 and get excited, surmizing this will continue into 2019. It may, but someone can point to 2011 when 10 players entered this terrority only for the number to decrease by 40 percent the following season.

Top 100 non-PPR scoring

The same 100 players from the PPR scoring are applied in a non-PPR scoring format:

Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	P_Yd	P_TD	Int	Ru_Yd	Ru_TD	Re_Yd	Re_TD	FantPt	PPG
1	2006	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	20	2	0	1815	28	508	3	427	26.7
2	2018	Patrick Mahomes	QB	KAN	5097	50	12	272	2	0	0	417	26.1
3	2013	Peyton Manning	QB	DEN	5477	55	10	-31	1	0	0	414	25.9
4	2011	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4643	45	6	257	3	0	0	399	26.6
5	2007	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4806	50	8	98	2	0	0	398	24.9
6	2011	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5476	46	14	86	1	0	0	396	24.8
7	2015	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	3837	35	10	636	10	0	0	391	24.4
8	2016	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4428	40	7	369	4	0	0	382	23.9
9	2000	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	0	0	0	1359	18	830	8	381	27.2
10	2004	Daunte Culpepper	QB	MIN	4717	39	11	406	2	0	0	381	23.8
11	2011	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	4051	21	17	706	14	27	0	375	23.4
12	2003	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1420	27	690	0	373	23.3
13	2002	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1615	21	672	3	372	26.6
14	2011	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	5235	39	12	109	3	0	0	370	23.1
15	2005	Shaun Alexander	RB	SEA	0	0	0	1880	27	78	1	364	22.8
16	2004	Peyton Manning	QB	IND	4557	49	10	38	0	0	0	362	22.6
17	2013	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5162	39	12	52	3	0	0	358	22.4
18	2014	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4381	38	5	269	2	0	0	358	22.4
19	2014	Andrew Luck	QB	IND	4761	40	16	273	3	0	0	356	22.3
20	2016	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	4944	38	7	117	0	0	0	355	22.2
21	2018	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	4924	35	7	125	3	5	1	354	22.1
22	2009	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4434	30	7	316	5	0	0	351	21.9
23	2000	Daunte Culpepper	QB	MIN	3937	33	16	470	7	0	0	350	21.9
24	2009	Chris Johnson	RB	TEN	0	0	0	2006	14	503	2	349	21.8
25	2017	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	3983	34	11	586	3	0	0	348	21.8
26	2011	Matthew Stafford	QB	DET	5038	41	16	78	0	0	0	347	21.7
27	2012	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5177	43	19	5	1	0	0	346	21.6
28	2003	Ahman Green	RB	GNB	0	0	0	1883	15	367	5	345	21.6
29	2003	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	21	1	0	1645	13	725	4	344	21.5
30	2015	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4770	36	7	53	3	36	0	344	21.5
31	2012	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4295	39	8	259	2	-1	0	344	21.5
32	2001	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	0	0	0	1382	12	765	9	343	24.5
33	2000	Jeff Garcia	QB	SFO	4278	31	10	414	4	0	0	343	21.4
34	2015	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	4024	34	8	553	1	0	0	342	21.4
35	2018	Ben Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	5129	34	16	98	3	-1	0	341	21.3
36	2000	Edgerrin James	RB	IND	0	0	0	1709	13	594	5	340	21.3
37	2012	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4827	34	8	32	4	0	0	340	21.3
38	2016	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5208	37	15	20	2	0	0	336	21.0
39	2005	Larry Johnson	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1750	20	343	1	335	20.9
40	2006	Larry Johnson	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1789	17	410	2	334	20.9
41	2018	Deshaun Watson	QB	HOU	4165	26	9	551	5	0	0	332	20.8
42	2014	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	3475	20	7	849	6	17	0	332	20.8
43	2010	Arian Foster	RB	HOU	0	0	0	1616	16	604	2	330	20.6
44	2006	Steven Jackson	RB	STL	0	0	0	1528	13	806	3	329	20.6
45	2016	David Johnson	RB	ARI	0	0	0	1239	16	879	4	328	20.5
46	2017	Todd Gurley	RB	LAR	0	0	0	1305	13	788	6	319	21.3
47	2002	Ricky Williams	RB	MIA	0	0	0	1853	16	363	1	317	19.8
48	2005	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	47	3	0	1462	18	370	2	317	19.8
49	2018	Todd Gurley	RB	LAR	0	0	0	1251	17	580	4	313	22.4
50	2003	Jamal Lewis	RB	BAL	0	0	0	2066	14	205	0	311	19.4
Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	P_Yd	P_TD	Int	Ru_Yd	Ru_TD	Re_Yd	Re_TD	FantPt	PPG
51	2013	Jamaal Charles	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1287	12	693	7	308	20.5
52	2007	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	17	1	0	1474	15	475	3	308	19.3
53	2005	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1860	9	530	2	307	19.2
54	2012	Adrian Peterson	RB	MIN	0	0	0	2097	12	217	1	307	19.2
55	2002	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	0	0	0	1683	14	489	1	304	19.0
56	2011	Ray Rice	RB	BAL	1	1	0	1364	12	704	3	301	18.8
57	2004	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1518	13	578	2	300	18.8
58	2018	Saquon Barkley	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1307	11	721	4	295	18.4
59	2014	DeMarco Murray	RB	DAL	0	0	0	1845	13	416	0	294	18.4
60	2000	Eddie George	RB	TEN	0	0	0	1509	14	453	2	292	18.3
61	2009	Adrian Peterson	RB	MIN	0	0	0	1383	18	436	0	290	18.1
62	2014	Le’Veon Bell	RB	PIT	0	0	0	1361	8	854	3	288	18.0
63	2007	Randy Moss	WR	NWE	0	0	0	0	0	1493	23	287	17.9
64	2004	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	38	0	0	1335	17	441	1	287	19.1
65	2007	Brian Westbrook	RB	PHI	0	0	0	1333	7	771	5	282	18.8
66	2011	LeSean McCoy	RB	PHI	0	0	0	1309	17	315	3	282	18.8
67	2018	Christian McCaffrey	RB	CAR	50	1	0	1098	7	867	6	279	17.4
68	2013	LeSean McCoy	RB	PHI	0	0	0	1607	9	539	2	279	17.4
69	2001	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1555	8	614	2	277	17.3
70	2018	Alvin Kamara	RB	NOR	0	0	0	883	14	709	4	273	18.2
71	2006	Frank Gore	RB	SFO	0	0	0	1695	8	485	1	272	17.0
72	2002	Shaun Alexander	RB	SEA	0	0	0	1175	16	460	2	269	16.8
73	2003	Randy Moss	WR	MIN	0	0	0	18	0	1632	17	267	16.7
74	2011	Calvin Johnson	WR	DET	0	0	0	11	0	1681	16	267	16.7
75	2013	Matt Forte	RB	CHI	0	0	0	1339	9	594	3	265	16.6
76	2003	Deuce McAllister	RB	NOR	0	0	0	1641	8	516	0	264	16.5
77	2006	Brian Westbrook	RB	PHI	0	0	0	1217	7	699	4	258	17.2
78	2017	Le’Veon Bell	RB	PIT	0	0	0	1291	9	655	2	257	17.1
79	2002	Charlie Garner	RB	OAK	0	0	0	962	7	941	4	256	16.0
80	2002	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1387	11	597	0	255	15.9
81	2014	Antonio Brown	WR	PIT	20	1	0	13	0	1698	13	252	15.8
82	2015	Antonio Brown	WR	PIT	0	0	0	28	0	1834	10	250	15.6
83	2018	Tyreek Hill	WR	KAN	0	0	0	151	1	1479	12	247	15.4
84	2014	Matt Forte	RB	CHI	0	0	0	1038	6	808	4	245	15.3
85	2001	Marvin Harrison	WR	IND	0	0	0	3	0	1524	15	243	15.2
86	2003	Torry Holt	WR	STL	0	0	0	5	0	1696	12	242	15.1
87	2002	Marvin Harrison	WR	IND	0	0	0	10	0	1722	11	241	15.1
88	2011	Rob Gronkowski	TE	NWE	0	0	0	2	1	1327	17	241	15.1
89	2001	Terrell Owens	WR	SFO	0	0	0	21	0	1412	16	239	14.9
90	2004	Muhsin Muhammad	WR	CAR	0	0	0	15	0	1405	16	238	14.9
91	2005	Steve Smith	WR	CAR	0	0	0	25	1	1563	12	237	14.8
92	2015	Julio Jones	WR	ATL	0	0	0	0	0	1871	8	235	14.7
93	2014	Demaryius Thomas	WR	DEN	0	0	0	0	0	1619	11	230	14.4
94	2015	Brandon Marshall	WR	NYJ	0	0	0	0	0	1502	14	230	14.4
95	2002	Hines Ward	WR	PIT	0	0	0	142	0	1329	12	226	14.1
96	2012	Calvin Johnson	WR	DET	0	0	0	0	0	1964	5	220	13.8
97	2015	DeAndre Hopkins	WR	HOU	0	0	0	0	0	1521	11	220	13.8
98	2018	DeAndre Hopkins	WR	HOU	0	0	0	-7	0	1572	11	219	13.7
99	2012	Brandon Marshall	WwR	CHI	0	0	0	-2	0	1508	11	217	13.6
100	2011	Wes Welker	WR	NWE	0	0	0	30	0	1569	9	214	13.4

It should come as no surprise to see quarterbacks dominate the group. The removal of receiving points naturally decimated the wide receivers. The first one checks in at No. 63 overall, and we’re talking about Randy Moss grabbing 23 touchdowns that year.

Plus/minus

Comparing the same 100 players in PPR vs. where they fell in non-PPR among those same 100 guys. … What does the difference look like for some of the biggest risers and fallers from non-PPR to format favoring receptions?

Decreased
PPR	Non-PPR	Diff	Yr	Player
19	82	-63	2015	Antonio Brown
25	87	-62	2002	Marvin Harrison
20	81	-61	2014	Antonio Brown
40	92	-52	2015	Julio Jones
23	67	-44	2018	Christian McCaffrey
30	73	-43	2003	Randy Moss
47	86	-39	2003	Torry Holt
24	63	-39	2007	Randy Moss
7	44	-37	2006	Steven Jackson
22	58	-36	2018	Saquon Barkley
10	45	-35	2016	David Johnson
21	55	-34	2002	LaDainian Tomlinson
52	85	-33	2001	Marvin Harrison
35	65	-30	2007	Brian Westbrook
45	74	-29	2011	Calvin Johnson
15	43	-28	2010	Arian Foster
68	96	-28	2012	Calvin Johnson
6	32	-26	2001	Marshall Faulk
11	36	-25	2000	Edgerrin James
4	29	-25	2003	LaDainian Tomlinson
Increased
PPR	Non-PPR	Diff	Yr	Player
39	14	25	2011	Tom Brady
99	72	27	2002	Shaun Alexander
44	16	28	2004	Peyton Manning
89	61	28	2009	Adrian Peterson
49	21	28	2018	Matt Ryan
97	68	29	2013	LeSean McCoy
80	50	30	2003	Jamal Lewis
48	17	31	2013	Drew Brees
51	18	33	2014	Aaron Rodgers
58	25	33	2017	Russell Wilson
57	23	34	2000	Daunte Culpepper
67	33	34	2000	Jeff Garcia
56	22	34	2009	Aaron Rodgers
100	66	34	2011	LeSean McCoy
53	19	34	2014	Andrew Luck
66	31	35	2012	Aaron Rodgers
65	30	35	2015	Tom Brady
70	35	35	2018	Ben Roethlisberger
63	27	36	2012	Drew Brees
73	37	36	2012	Tom Brady
64	26	38	2011	Matthew Stafford
59	20	39	2016	Matt Ryan
81	34	47	2015	Russell Wilson
93	41	52	2018	Deshaun Watson
92	38	54	2016	Drew Brees
98	42	56	2014	Russell Wilson

Again, as expected, the stark difference in high-point placement is glaring between the scoring systems. It’s crazy to see some of these placements. Antonio Brown goes from having his two strongest seasons in PPR finish in the top 20 to having those same seasons finish in the low 80s without points being added for the catches. No earth-shattering or even profound conclusion … just visually impressive to see in this format.

Overall non-PPR top 100

Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	P_Yd	P_TD	Int	Ru_Yd	Ru_TD	Rec	Re_Yd	Re_TD	FantPt
1	2006	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	20	2	0	1815	28	56	508	3	427
2	2018	Patrick Mahomes	QB	KAN	5097	50	12	272	2	0	0	0	417
3	2013	Peyton Manning	QB	DEN	5477	55	10	-31	1	0	0	0	414
4	2011	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4643	45	6	257	3	0	0	0	399
5	2007	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4806	50	8	98	2	0	0	0	398
6	2011	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5476	46	14	86	1	0	0	0	396
7	2015	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	3837	35	10	636	10	0	0	0	391
8	2016	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4428	40	7	369	4	0	0	0	382
9	2004	Daunte Culpepper	QB	MIN	4717	39	11	406	2	0	0	0	381
10	2000	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	0	0	0	1359	18	81	830	8	381
11	2011	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	4051	21	17	706	14	1	27	0	375
12	2003	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1420	27	74	690	0	373
13	2002	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1615	21	70	672	3	372
14	2011	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	5235	39	12	109	3	0	0	0	370
15	2005	Shaun Alexander	RB	SEA	0	0	0	1880	27	15	78	1	364
16	2004	Peyton Manning	QB	IND	4557	49	10	38	0	0	0	0	362
17	2013	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5162	39	12	52	3	0	0	0	358
18	2014	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4381	38	5	269	2	0	0	0	358
19	2014	Andrew Luck	QB	IND	4761	40	16	273	3	0	0	0	356
20	2016	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	4944	38	7	117	0	0	0	0	355
21	2018	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	4924	35	7	125	3	1	5	1	354
22	2009	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4434	30	7	316	5	0	0	0	351
23	2000	Daunte Culpepper	QB	MIN	3937	33	16	470	7	0	0	0	350
24	2009	Chris Johnson	RB	TEN	0	0	0	2006	14	50	503	2	349
25	2017	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	3983	34	11	586	3	0	0	0	348
26	2011	Matthew Stafford	QB	DET	5038	41	16	78	0	0	0	0	347
27	2012	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5177	43	19	5	1	0	0	0	346
28	2003	Ahman Green	RB	GNB	0	0	0	1883	15	50	367	5	345
29	2012	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4295	39	8	259	2	1	-1	0	344
30	2015	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4770	36	7	53	3	1	36	0	344
31	2003	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	21	1	0	1645	13	100	725	4	344
32	2000	Jeff Garcia	QB	SFO	4278	31	10	414	4	0	0	0	343
33	2001	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	0	0	0	1382	12	83	765	9	343
34	2015	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	4024	34	8	553	1	0	0	0	342
35	2018	Ben Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	5129	34	16	98	3	1	-1	0	341
36	2012	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4827	34	8	32	4	0	0	0	340
37	2000	Edgerrin James	RB	IND	0	0	0	1709	13	63	594	5	340
38	2016	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5208	37	15	20	2	0	0	0	336
39	2005	Larry Johnson	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1750	20	33	343	1	335
40	2006	Larry Johnson	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1789	17	41	410	2	334
41	2014	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	3475	20	7	849	6	1	17	0	332
42	2018	Deshaun Watson	QB	HOU	4165	26	9	551	5	0	0	0	332
43	2010	Arian Foster	RB	HOU	0	0	0	1616	16	66	604	2	330
44	2006	Steven Jackson	RB	STL	0	0	0	1528	13	90	806	3	329
45	2016	David Johnson	RB	ARI	0	0	0	1239	16	80	879	4	328
46	2018	Andrew Luck	QB	IND	4593	39	15	148	0	1	4	0	327
47	2015	Blake Bortles	QB	JAX	4428	35	18	310	2	0	0	0	324
48	2012	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	3869	19	12	741	8	0	6	0	323
49	2017	Todd Gurley	RB	LAR	0	0	0	1305	13	64	788	6	319
50	2012	Robert Griffin	QB	WAS	3200	20	5	815	7	0	0	0	318
Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	P_Yd	P_TD	Int	Ru_Yd	Ru_TD	Rec	Re_Yd	Re_TD	FantPt
51	2002	Ricky Williams	RB	MIA	0	0	0	1853	16	47	363	1	317
52	2005	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	47	3	0	1462	18	51	370	2	317
53	2010	Michael Vick	QB	PHI	3018	21	6	676	9	0	0	0	316
54	2006	Peyton Manning	QB	IND	4397	31	9	36	4	0	0	0	313
55	2014	Peyton Manning	QB	DEN	4727	39	15	-24	0	0	0	0	313
56	2018	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4442	25	2	269	2	0	0	0	313
57	2018	Todd Gurley	RB	LAR	0	0	0	1251	17	59	580	4	313
58	2012	Peyton Manning	QB	DEN	4659	37	11	6	0	0	0	0	311
59	2003	Jamal Lewis	RB	BAL	0	0	0	2066	14	26	205	0	311
60	2014	Ben Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	4952	32	9	27	0	0	-6	0	310
61	2016	Andrew Luck	QB	IND	4240	31	13	341	2	0	0	0	310
62	2018	Jared Goff	QB	LAR	4688	32	12	108	2	0	0	0	310
63	2015	Carson Palmer	QB	ARI	4671	35	11	24	1	0	0	0	309
64	2007	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	17	1	0	1474	15	60	475	3	308
65	2013	Jamaal Charles	RB	KAN	0	0	0	1287	12	70	693	7	308
66	2004	Shaun Alexander	RB	SEA	0	0	0	1696	16	23	170	4	307
67	2005	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1860	9	54	530	2	307
68	2012	Adrian Peterson	RB	MIN	0	0	0	2097	12	40	217	1	307
69	2000	Rich Gannon	QB	OAK	3430	28	11	529	4	0	0	0	306
70	2009	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	4388	34	11	33	2	1	-4	0	306
71	2010	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	3922	28	11	356	4	0	0	0	306
72	2015	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	4870	32	11	14	1	0	0	0	306
73	2016	Kirk Cousins	QB	WAS	4917	25	12	96	4	0	0	0	306
74	2001	Jeff Garcia	QB	SFO	3538	32	12	254	5	0	0	0	305
75	2008	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	5069	34	17	-1	0	0	0	0	305
76	2012	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	4719	32	14	141	1	0	0	0	305
77	2014	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	4952	33	17	68	1	1	1	0	305
78	2015	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	3821	31	8	344	1	0	0	0	305
79	2018	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	3992	32	5	22	4	1	1	0	304
80	2002	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	0	0	0	1683	14	79	489	1	304
81	2004	Donovan McNabb	QB	PHI	3875	31	8	220	3	0	0	0	303
82	2001	Kurt Warner	QB	STL	4830	36	22	60	0	0	0	0	301
83	2010	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	3900	36	4	30	1	0	0	0	301
84	2011	Ray Rice	RB	BAL	1	1	0	1364	12	76	704	3	301
85	2000	Peyton Manning	QB	IND	4413	33	15	116	1	0	0	0	300
86	2002	Rich Gannon	QB	OAK	4689	26	10	156	3	0	0	0	300
87	2004	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1518	13	52	578	2	300
88	2007	Tony Romo	QB	DAL	4211	36	19	129	2	0	0	0	299
89	2017	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	3302	22	16	754	6	0	0	0	299
90	2013	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	3379	24	13	585	6	0	0	0	298
91	2018	Russell Wilson	QB	SEA	3448	35	7	376	0	1	-11	0	298
92	2013	Andrew Luck	QB	IND	3822	23	9	377	4	0	0	0	297
93	2008	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	4038	28	13	207	4	0	0	0	296
94	2017	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	4577	32	8	28	0	0	0	0	296
95	2015	Kirk Cousins	QB	WAS	4166	29	11	48	5	0	0	0	295
96	2017	Alex Smith	QB	KAN	4042	26	5	355	1	0	0	0	295
97	2018	Saquon Barkley	RB	NYG	0	0	0	1307	11	91	721	4	295
98	2000	Donovan McNabb	QB	PHI	3365	21	13	629	6	2	5	0	294
99	2014	DeMarco Murray	RB	DAL	0	0	0	1845	13	57	416	0	294
100	2016	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	DAL	0	0	0	1631	15	32	363	1	293

Here is the listing of the actual 100 highest scorers in non-PPR scoring during that same time period of 2000-18. Once again, quarterbacks rule the rankings. The difference is extreme, but running backs still hold high placements, generally fueled by banner touchdown years.

Positional breakdown (PPR)

• Quarterbacks: 30 appearances
• Running backs: 48
• Wide receivers: 21
• Tight ends: 1

Positional breakdown (non-PPR)

• Quarterbacks: 69 appearances
• Running backs: 31
• Wide receivers: 0
• Tight ends: 0

Removing reception points eradicates the wideouts and lone tight end appearances. Quarterbacks litter the board, as expected, and it demonstrates how valuable elite running back performances truly are in fantasy.

PPR points per game

PPR Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	G	PPR/G
2	2000	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	14	32.9
5	2002	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	14	31.6
6	2001	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	14	30.4
1	2006	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	16	30.2
3	2003	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	16	27.9
4	2003	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	16	27.7
36	2018	Todd Gurley	RB	LAR	14	26.6
14	2011	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	15	26.5
7	2006	Steven Jackson	RB	STL	16	26.2
8	2018	Patrick Mahomes	QB	KAN	16	26.1

The only real standout is Todd Gurley’s partial 2018 season. It rated 36th among 16-game efforts but climbed to seventh on a per-game basis. Perhaps gamers can be more comfortable in seeing the 2019 version of Gurley as being possibly exceptional with limited work. More impressive, for as good as he was last year, three other 14-game seasons were more prolific in the 2000s.

Non-PPR points per game

Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	G	Fan PPG
10	2000	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	14	27.2
1	2006	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	16	26.7
4	2011	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	15	26.6
13	2002	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	14	26.6
53	2010	Michael Vick	QB	PHI	12	26.3
2	2018	Patrick Mahomes	QB	KAN	16	26.1
3	2013	Peyton Manning	QB	DEN	16	25.9
5	2007	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	16	24.9
6	2011	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	16	24.8
33	2001	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	14	24.5

Faulk twice made sizeable jumps in the rankings sorted by points per game. He was trumped by Michael Vick going from No. 53 to fifth place over just 12 games in 2010. Pat Mahomes was pretty good, huh?

Top-20 performances by age (PPR)

Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	Age	G	PPR	PPR/G
1	2006	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	27	16	483.1	30.2
2	2000	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	27	14	459.9	32.9
3	2003	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	30	16	447.0	27.9
4	2003	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SDG	24	16	443.8	27.7
5	2002	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	29	14	442.7	31.6
6	2001	Marshall Faulk	RB	STL	28	14	425.7	30.4
7	2006	Steven Jackson	RB	STL	23	16	419.4	26.2
8	2018	Patrick Mahomes	QB	KAN	23	16	417.1	26.1
9	2013	Peyton Manning	QB	DEN	37	16	412.0	25.8
10	2016	David Johnson	RB	ARI	25	16	407.8	25.5
11	2000	Edgerrin James	RB	IND	22	16	403.3	25.2
12	2009	Chris Johnson	RB	TEN	24	16	398.9	24.9
13	2007	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	30	16	398.0	24.9
14	2011	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	28	15	397.4	26.5
15	2010	Arian Foster	RB	HOU	24	16	396.0	24.8
16	2011	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	32	16	395.6	24.7
17	2003	Ahman Green	RB	GNB	26	16	395.0	24.7
18	2015	Cam Newton	QB	CAR	26	16	389.1	24.3
19	2015	Antonio Brown	WR	PIT	27	16	388.2	24.3
20	2014	Antonio Brown	WR	PIT	26	16	386.9	24.2
		Averages			26.9		415.3	26.5

Shocker … players in their prime turned in the top-20 showings, on average. Late bloomers, like Holmes, do exist, but this chart is a reminder just how much the NFL really is a young man’s game.

Top-20 oldest performances (PPR)

Top 100 Rk	Year	Player	Pos	Tm	Age	G	PPR	PPR/G
65	2015	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	38	16	344.7	21.5
9	2013	Peyton Manning	QB	DEN	37	16	412.0	25.8
92	2016	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	37	16	332.3	20.8
70	2018	Ben Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	36	16	341.9	21.4
73	2012	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	35	16	340.3	21.3
39	2011	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	34	16	370.3	23.1
48	2013	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	34	16	357.7	22.4
28	2016	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	33	16	380.0	23.8
49	2018	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	33	16	355.0	22.2
63	2012	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	33	16	345.6	21.6
16	2011	Drew Brees	QB	NOR	32	16	395.6	24.7
51	2014	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GNB	31	16	354.1	22.1
59	2016	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	31	16	347.5	21.7
76	2015	Brandon Marshall	WR	NYJ	31	16	339.2	21.2
95	2004	Muhsin Muhammad	WR	CAR	31	16	331.0	20.7
13	2007	Tom Brady	QB	NWE	30	16	398.0	24.9
67	2000	Jeff Garcia	QB	SFO	30	16	342.5	21.4
3	2003	Priest Holmes	RB	KAN	30	16	447.0	27.9
46	2005	Tiki Barber	RB	NYG	30	16	361.0	22.6
61	2002	Charlie Garner	RB	OAK	30	16	347.3	21.7
		Averages			32.8		362.2	22.6

Quarterbacks can conitinue playing at elite levels well into their 30s, whereas running backs and wideouts effectively die by age 30 when it comes to leading the way in fantasy productivity. None of that should surprise anyone.

Overall assessment

Fantasy football is jam-packed with statistics and angles of analysis. Sometimes, stats are just numbers with no grandiose importance or even  utilization entering a draft. It’s never a bad idea to have some concept of where elite performances fall in the grand scheme of things, but drafting a player with the expectation of a historically great showing is mostly an exercise in wishful thinking.

Add the best combination of players with the strongest chances of being great within an individual year, not in relation to historical context. If it happens to work in favor of the latter … great.  But aiming for some kind of generational benchmark in production is silly and unnecessary.