The 15 greatest PPR fantasy football seasons of all-time
prince j. grimes
·3-min read
12/10/06 --NFL / DENVER BRONCOS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS --- San Diego, CA, U.S.A: San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson sprints away from defenders during 1st half action of the Chargers' 48-20 win over Denver at Qualcomm Stadium. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY staff ORG XMIT: RH 30794 S_Chargers 12/10/2006 (Via MerlinFTP Drop)
Believe it or not, fantasy football actually pre-dates the internet, with origins that go all the way back to the 1960s.
For the purposes of this list, we will not be tracking points into the 1960s.
The internet brought fantasy football to the masses in the late 90s. So, for a nice round number, this list will track the greatest fantasy seasons since 2000. And because quarterbacks have dominated this list since 2011, we'll use points per reception scoring to get some other positions in here. You can catch the greatest QB fantasy seasons of all-time here.
These are the top 15 PPR fantasy football seasons of all time, via Pro Football Reference.
15. 407 points: David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals (2016)
Dec 24, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-268692 ORIG FILE ID: 20161224_kek_sn8_045.JPG
This was the peak of David Johnson mania, his lone 1,000-yard rushing season where he nearly eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards too.
Manning set single-season records with 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdowns.
13. 415.4 points: Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams (2006)
MINNEAPOLIS - DECEMBER 31: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams celebrates his touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings on December 31, 2006 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Rams defeated the Vikings 41-21. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Steven Jackson ORG XMIT: 71465511 GTY ID: 65511EG018_St_Louis_Rams
Jackson racked up more than 1,500 yards on the ground and 800 yards through the air.
Dec 22, 2019; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-403391 ORIG FILE ID: 20191222_neb_bg7_087.JPG
The unanimous MVP, Jackson threw 36 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,200 yards.
11. 417.1 points: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (2018)
Sep 16, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
His first year as a starter, Mahomes went for over 5,000 yards passing and 50 touchdowns.
10. 417.4 points: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (2022)
Nov 27, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles from Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mahomes eclipsed 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns through the air for the second time in his career.
9. 419 points: Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams (2001)
St. Louis Rams' Marshall Faulk scores a touchdown in the second quarter against Miami Dolphins' Sam Madison in St. Louis, Missouri, 30 September, 2001. AFP PHOTO/SCOTT ROVAK ORG XMIT: STL99
Faulk went for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns from scrimmage.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on January 04, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151583 ORIG FILE ID: 2192443384
Jackson topped his second MVP season the year before, throwing for over 4,000 yards and running for over 900.
7. 439 points: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (2021)
Nov 15, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) reacts after the Rams were unable to convert a fourth down against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
With 145 catches, the eventual Super Bowl MVP came up just four short of tying the single-season receptions record. He came close to the receiving yards record too.
6. 440 points: Priest Holmes, Kansas City Chiefs (2002)
FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Priest Holmes #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs off a tackle against the New England Patriots during their National Football League game on September 22, 2002 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: ASP4
Holmes had over 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground in just 14 games.
5. 443 points: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers (2003)
9/28/03 -- OAKLAND, CA -- San Diego Charger runningback LaDainian Tomlinson running for yardage in first quarter action as the Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 34-31 in overtime on September 28, 2003 at the Network Associates Coliseum. (Photo by Jack Gruber/USA TODAY) ORG XMIT: RAIDERS_CHARGERS_JMG1821
In 2003, Tomlinson's receiving numbers took a major leap, as he caught 100 passes for over 700 yards.
4. 445 points: Priest Holmes, Kansas City Chiefs (2003)
11/30/03 ---NFL/ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS --- SAN DIEGO, CA: Kansas City running back Priest Holmes during the Chief's 28 - 24 win over the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY.
Holmes followed his monster 2002 season with a whopping 27 rushing touchdowns to go with career-best receiving numbers.
3. 459 points: Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams (2000)
1/30/2000 --Atlanta, Ga. -- SB34--Super Bowl XXXIV , St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans. Rams #28 Marshall Faulk during second quarter play.
Faulk rushed for a career-best 18 touchdowns in 2000, while still doing his usual damage in the passing attack with an additional eight touchdowns.
2. 471 points: Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (2019)
Dec 1, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-403338 ORIG FILE ID: 20191201_jrs_bb4_119.JPG
McCaffrey eclipsed 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving, including 116 receptions and 19 total touchdowns.
1. 481 points: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers (2006)
SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 17: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers runs for a gain against Ty Law #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during their NFL game on December 17, 2006 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LaDainian Tomlinson;Ty Law ORG XMIT: 71465479 GTY ID: 65479DM004_Kansas_City_C
Tomlinson set the single-season record with 28 rushing touchdowns, while going for over 2,300 yards from scrimmage.
