In a season that saw record scoring, these were the players and owners that stood above the rest in 2018.
Most Valuable Player
QB Patrick Mahomes - Buddies
Buddies owner Mike Kinsman went all-in on Patrick Mahomes by trading 2017 MVP candidate Deshaun Watson shortly before Week 2 and it paid off big time. In a year that saw record scoring, Mahomes led the way by posting 273 points (good for 4th all-time) and six games where he scored 4 or more touchdowns. His breakout season led the Buddies to a AFC West title and their first playoff appearance in five years after going a combined 12-27 over the past three seasons.
| Player | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | 10 | 1 | 0 | 32 |
| Todd Gurley | 1 | 9 | 1 | 22 |
| Drew Brees | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Jared Goff | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Travis Kelce | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Rookie of the Year
RB Saquon Barkley - Llamas
If there was ever a slam dunk, can't miss #1 overall pick in YFFL history, it was Saquon Barkley. He lived up to the hype by scoring 126 points, the second highest rookie RB total in league history (just 6 points behind Ezekiel Elliott's 132 points in 2016). Although we didn't get to see the vaunted duo of Barkley and Le'Veon Bell in action this year, 2019 is shaping up to be a big year for the Llamas.
| Player | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | 11 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Phillip Lindsay | 0 | 10 | 1 | 21 |
| Nick Chubb | 0 | 1 | 9 | 11 |
| Sony Michel | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kerryon Johnson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Macor Misa
RB James Conner - Chickens
Le'Veon Bell's holdout meant that James Conner went from a reserve, to a spot starter, to a full-fledged superstar over the course of the 2018 season. Conner took advantage of the opportunity and scored 122 points (a top 25 season all-time at RB) and help lead the Chickens to yet another division title. With Bell's future in Pittsburgh practically over, this may be only the beginning for Conner's career as the Chickens continue with league dominance.
| Player | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Conner | 7 | 1 | 1 | 24 |
| Phillip Lindsay | 2 | 5 | 3 | 19 |
| Eric Ebron | 1 | 2 | 4 | 11 |
| Jared Cook | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| Adrian Peterson | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Owner of the Year
Mike Kinsman - Buddies & Chickens
While Anthony Aceto guided two teams into the playoffs and enjoyed the first ever undefeated season in YFFL history, it was Mike Kinsman who outmaneuvered everyone in 2018. From trading away Watson and giving the reigns to Mahomes while also filling a gap at WR with Amari Cooper, to discovering undrafted rookie sensation Phillip Lindsay on the waiver wire in Week 2, Mike had the magic touch this season. Plus, his hiring of general manager Nick Wood continues to pay dividends as the Chickens continue to be the marquee franchise of the YFFL with their 8th division title in 11 years under Wood's guidance.
| Owner | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Kinsman | 8 | 2 | 1 | 29 |
| Anthony Aceto | 3 | 7 | 1 | 24 |
| Brian Davidson | 0 | 2 | 9 | 13 |
| Kevin Sansone | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bobby Sansone | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |