American Football: Fantasy NFL Awards of 2005

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Another fantasy season is in the books. It's time to take a look back at the players who have made an impact for owners. And it's never too early to start creating your wish list for next year's draft.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

This was pretty much a no-brainer. Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander has dominated fantasy football this season by rushing for 1,807 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Can you tell that he was playing during the last year of his contract?

Last season, Alexander ran for 1,696 yards and 16 touchdowns. There is no doubt that he will get a huge deal from either the Seahawks or a team that desperately needs a Pro Bowl running back.

Honorable mentions for this award are Edgerrin James, LaDainian Tomlinson and Peyton Manning. They all had great fantasy seasons, as usual.


BUST OF THE YEAR

There could be a lot of players to put in this category:

Houston running back Domanick Davis and wide receiver Andre Johnson, Detroit running back Kevin Jones. You could even throw Oakland wide receiver Randy Moss into that group.

But the one that rises to the top is Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis. Talk about a terrible season: Lewis rushed for more than 90 yards in just three games. He gained 817 yards and scored a measly three touchdowns.

Owners must have been pulling their hair out after wasting a pick on this bust!

His highest yardage output came in Week 12 against Cincinnati (113 yards and a touchdown) and his only other 100-yard game was Week 15 against the Packers (105 yards and a touchdown). These statistics are a far cry from his 2004 numbers - 1,538 yards and 12 touchdowns.


RUNNING BACK OF THE YEAR

Shaun Alexander got the player of the year, Tomlinson and James are the bridesmaids here, too.

Chiefs running back Larry Johnson gets the nod for the running back of the year and should be considered a top pick in next year's draft. Say goodbye to Priest Holmes in Kansas City; Johnson has shown he is ready to be the top guy for the Chiefs.

He's rushed for 1,549 yards and 17 touchdowns this season - 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns came in his last eight games as a starter.

His lowest output during that span was 107 yards and his highest was 211 yards against the Texans in Week 11.


QUATERBACK OF THE YEAR

Carson Palmer definitely lived up to the preseason fantasy hype and deserves to win this honor. Palmer has thrown for 3,782 yards and 32 touchdowns, which is tops in the league. Peyton Manning is second with 28.

In 2004, Palmer threw for 2,897 yards, 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Keep him high on your draft list as you're planning for next season. He should continue to be one of the league's premier quarterbacks for many years to come.


RECEIVER OF THE YEAR

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is the hands-down winner. Smith has shown no signs of his leg injury last season by tallying a career-best 1,432 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The honorable mention is Washington's wide out Santana Moss.

He rejuvenated his career with 1,400 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.


DEFENSE OF THE YEAR

They may have no offense, but the Chicago Bears don't need it with a defense like theirs.

The defense has carried Chicago to a division title with six defensive touchdowns, 24 interceptions, 40 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries and 26 forced fumbles.

They've allowed only 274.2 yards per game (175 yards passing and 99.2 yards rushing), making them the top defense in the league.


KICKER OF THE YEAR

Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers is the best in the NFL and is the best in fantasy football. He hit 38 of 40 field goals (10-for-10 from 20-29 and 30-39 yards, 12-for-13 from 40-49 yards and 6-for-7 from 50-plus), with his longest coming from 54 yards.