The 2025 NFL season delivered everything fantasy managers could ask for: breakout stars, stunning comebacks, frustrating busts, and plenty of lineup decisions that kept us refreshing our phones on Sunday mornings. As we reflect on another wild ride through the fantasy football landscape, it's time to hand out the hardware to the players, coaches, and moments that defined the year.
To determine who took home the hardware, RotoWire.com surveyed 946 fantasy football players to help determine the winners for each category. So without further ado, here are the 2025 RotoWire Fantasy Football Awards.
MVP: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
Christian McCaffrey reminded everyone why he remains the gold standard at the running back position, delivering week after week of elite production for fantasy managers fortunate enough to roster him. His receiving prowess made him a PPR (point-per-reception) monster where he finished No. 1 overall in PPR fantasy football leagues, over 40 points higher than the next player.
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Rookie of the Year: Jaxson Dart, Giants
Jaxson Dart took the NFL by storm in his first season, giving hope to 
Giants fans and fantasy managers alike to believe in the future. Officially getting his first NFL start in Week 4, Dart proceeded to finish as a Top 10 fantasy QB in 7 out of his 12 weeks at the helm. Despite some injury issues, his performance during the fantasy playoffs probably swayed voters to nudge him over R.J. Harvey & TreVeyon Henderson.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Drake Maye, Patriots
After a 4-13 record in his rookie season, Drake Maye took a massive leap forward and emerged as an elite quarterback with just a few days until his first Super Bowl appearance for the 
Patriots. Maye's 35 total touchdowns helped garner a 21.2 fantasy points per game, finishing as QB2 just behind Josh Allen. Voters took note of the fact that he averaged almost 7 points per game more than 2024.
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Waiver Wire Hero: Michael Wilson, Cardinals
With most fantasy owners projecting a sophomore bump for Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson had an ADP (average draft position) of 237. And despite being irrelevant in the first half of the NFL season, Wilson became a strong waiver wire pickup in the back half with 2 weeks as the No. 1 WR in fantasy. His 220.6 PPR fantasy points was good enough to place him as WR10 on the season – making him a no-brainer choice for this award.
Comeback Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
It's McCaffrey's 2nd RotoWire Fantasy Football Award; however, this was the most obvious award for the 49ers running back as he won by over 200 votes. CMC missed a majority of the 2024 season due to a severe calf and bilateral Achilles tendonitis issues during training camp. After returning and sustaining another injury in Week 13, McCaffrey returned with a vengeance to his elite status in fantasy.
Bust of the Year: Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
After a dominant rookie year at the No. 4 overall WR in fantasy, expectations for Brian Thomas Jr. were high going into his sophomore season. Fantasy managers who invested early draft capital (ADP of 14) in BTJ were left sorely disappointed as he finished as the 42nd WR in fantasy in 2025. Whether it was the change of offensive scheme, regression or something else, Brian Thomas Jr. edged out Justin Jefferson as the biggest bust in fantasy this year.
Playoffs Hero of the Year: Brock Purdy, 49ers
When fantasy championships were on the line, Brock Purdy delivered performances that carried managers to glory during the three most important weeks of the season. In Weeks 15 through 17, Purdy averaged 32.0 fantasy points and finished as the 4th, 1st and 1st fantasy QB in those weeks respectively. With so many injuries at the QB position, Purdy came in clutch and narrowly edged out Bijan Robinson for this award.
Iron Man Award: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
In an era where running back durability is increasingly rare, McCaffrey suited up and produced every single week of the NFL season. And that is even more rare for CMC as the 49ers running back has only played a full NFL season twice since the 2020 NFL season. Due to his past injury history, voters couldn't help themselves from awarding McCaffrey his 3rd RotoWire Fantasy Football award in 2025.
Most Frustrating Coach: Dan Campbell, Lions
Dan Campbell's unpredictable approach to his backfield and game-planning made it nearly impossible for fantasy managers to confidently set their lineups involving 
Lions players. His tendency to keep everyone guessing led to countless incorrect start/sit decisions throughout the season – especially with David Montgomery. Overall, the Lions offense took a step back this season and it led some angry fantasy owners pointing fingers at Campbell.
Fantasy Supporter of the Year: Ben Johnson, Bears
In his first year as a head coach, Ben Johnson brought his offensive genius to 
Chicago and created a fantasy-friendly system that elevated multiple players into weekly starters. His commitment to an aggressive, high-volume attack made rostering Bears players a pleasure all season long. Caleb Williams, De'Andre Swift and Rome Odunze all took huge steps in fantasy, while Johnson had Luther Burden & Colston Loveland establish themselves in their rookie season.
Fantasy Game of the Year: Ravens vs. Bills, Week 1
The season kicked off with a bang as Baltimore and Buffalo engaged in a shootout that set the tone for an exciting fantasy year. Managers lucky enough to have multiple starters in this contest were treated to a point bonanza that immediately reminded us all why we love this game. The game featured 38.8 fantasy points from Josh Allen, 29.2 from Derrick Henry, 28.1 from Zay Flowers and even 25.2 points from Keon Coleman. That's when you know a game is hitting all cylinders for fantasy owners.
Mr. Monday Award: Bijan Robinson, Falcons
When fantasy football managers needed a Monday night miracle, Bijan Robinson consistently answered the call and delivered clutch performances under the primetime lights. In his two Monday Night Football appearances, Robinson averaged 37.9 PPR fantasy points. To top it off, his Week 17 performance of 39.9 fantasy points certainly curried some favor from managers who won their fantasy championship due to that outing.
Touchdown Merchant Award: Isaac TeSlaa, Lions
Isaac TeSlaa developed a knack for finding the end zone at the expense of higher-owned teammates, frustrating managers who had invested in other Lions pass-catchers. His vulturing ways led to 6 touchdowns this season, which took away from Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Mongtomery and Sam LaPorta – all who were drafted much higher than Teslaa.
One Week Wonder Award: Kyle Pitts, Falcons
The fantasy football community have been clamoring for Kyle Pitts to show anything promising since he was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. When Kirk Cousins took over the starting QB role, Pitts finally showed a spark. Despite some other solid performances, nothing was close to his Week 15 performance when he dropped 45.6 PPR fantasy points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Will this finally be the breakout for Pitts or will he regress back to his norm?
Houdini Award: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs picked the worst possible time to go silent, vanishing from the stat sheet during the crucial fantasy playoff weeks when managers needed him most. Gibbs averaged 13.0 PPR fantasy points from Week 15 through 17. While that seems just fine, his 6.4 points during Championship Week takes the cake. His disappearing act cost countless teams their championship hopes and earned him this dubious distinction.
Conclusion
The 2025 fantasy football season will be remembered as the year of Christian McCaffrey's triumphant return to dominance, sweeping three major awards and reminding us that when healthy, he remains in a class of his own. It was also a season that showcased the next generation of talent, with Drake Maye & Jaxson Dart proving that the quarterback position continues to evolve with young arms ready to contribute immediately. We saw the agony of early-round busts, the thrill of waiver wire discoveries, and the heartbreak of playoff disappearances that define the emotional rollercoaster of fantasy sports. As we turn our attention to the offseason, these awards serve as a reminder of the moments that made us cheer, groan, and obsessively check our lineups one more time. Congratulations to all the winners, and here's to another unforgettable fantasy football season ahead. Start your 2026 draft prep now—it's never too early.
