For decades now, NFL Fantasy Football has become a staple of fan culture and has just continued to grow in popularity. Many managers are now engaged with NFL teams across the league as they compete for bragging rights and prizes.
These managers also want to avoid the dreaded last-place slot, where there is likely an outlandish punishment at the end of the line. GIVEMESPORT is here to recognize the players who were the reason many owners finished in first rather than last.
And for this ranking, we are only including players who have competed since 1997, when Fantasy Football became available to the public on espn.com. Additionally, we are utilizing the PPR scoring model, as provided by Pro Football Reference.
With that in mind, here are the top 10 highest-scoring Fantasy Football seasons ever.
10 Patrick Mahomes (2022): 417.4 points
All-time great quarterbackPatrick Mahomes had one of his best seasons in 2022, winning both regular-season MVP and Super Bowl MVP awards.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ leader under center averaged 24.5 fantasy points per game in what was a great fantasy season for quarterbacks. Mahomes ended up throwing for 5250 yards and 41 touchdowns as he collected his second Lombardi Trophy.
9 Marshall Faulk (2001): 419.7 points
Even though he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Marshall Faulk is still among the most underrated running backs in league history. The all-purpose back was the catalyst for the “Greatest Show on Turf”.
Faulk set a new standard for running backs as a receiving threat, and in 2001, he posted his fourth straight season of over 2,000 all-purpose yards. This isn’t the first time you will see the three-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year on this list.
8 Lamar Jackson (2024): 430.4 points
Lamar Jackson may not have collected his third regular-season MVP in 2024, but the legendary dual-threat quarterback won a lot of leagues for Fantasy Football managers.
The Baltimore Ravens’ superstar set career-highs in completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer rating last season, averaging 25.3 fantasy points per game.
7 Cooper Kupp (2021): 439.5 points
2021 was the year of Cooper Kupp. The Los Angeles Rams’ star receiver led all wideouts in receptions, yards, and touchdowns en route to winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP.
Kupp posted 36 more total fantasy points than any other player in the league, and had a case to win league MVP this season, especially considering what the Rams accomplished this season.
6 Priest Holmes (2002): 440.7 points
Priest Holmes might never make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the Kansas City Chiefs’ legend had an incredible three-year prime.
The star running back was named to three First-team All-Pro teams, and in 2002, he rushed for a career-high 1,615 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Like Faulk, Holmes was also a phenomenal pass catcher, recording 672 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver this season. Holmes played in only 14 games in 2002, averaging a stunning 31.4 fantasy points per game.
5 LaDanian Tomlinson (2003): 443.8 points
LaDainian Tomlinson is one of the greatest running backs of all time, and he had several incredible seasons with the San Diego Chargers.
The first-ballot Hall of Famer had one of his best campaigns in 2003, rushing for 1,645 on a career-high 5.3 yards per carry. LT scored 17 total touchdowns this season for 443.8 fantasy points in 16 games.
4 Priest Holmes (2003): 445.0 points
Priest Holmes shows up again on our list, playing all 16 games this year. The Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar running back rushed for 1,420 yards and a league-leading 27 touchdowns while also catching 74 passes for 690 yards.
Holmes outscored LaDanian Tomlinson by just 1.2 points in what was another terrific fantasy season for NFL tailbacks.
3 Marshall Faulk (2000): 459.9 points
Marshall Faulk was squarely in the middle of his prime in 2000, tallying 2,189 total yards and 26 touchdowns. The St Louis Rams were not as good as the previous season’s championship-winning squad, but their star tailback was still as reliable as ever.
Faulk played 14 games, averaging 32.85 fantasy points per game, and ended up winning league MVP this season.
2 Christian McCaffrey (2019): 471.2 points
Christian McCaffrey pops up in this top 10 for the first time at No. 2. The Carolina Panthers were just 5-11, but they got the most out of their best player, who had 1,000+ yards as both a receiver and a rusher.
McCaffrey had 19 total touchdowns this year, scoring 50 more fantasy points than any other player in the NFL.
1 LaDanian Tomlinson (2006): 481.1 points
LaDanian Tomlinson is one of four running backs to win league MVP in the 21st century, and it’s hard to find another season that measures up to his 2006 campaign.
The engine of this San Diego Chargers’ offense rushed for a career-high 1,815 yards while scoring an NFL record 28 touchdowns on the ground. LT was also still lethal as a pass-catcher this season with 56 receptions for 508 yards and three touchdowns.
Even though NFL franchises now play 17 games, it might be a long time before anyone comes close to this staggering point total.