MVP

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego: The Charger possibly had the best fantasy season ever. He scored an NFL-record 31 touchdowns, led the league with 1,815 rushing yards and had 56 receptions for 508 yards. Also, he scored in 11 games, including three four-touchdown games, six with three or more TDs and 10 with two or more scores.

Runner up: Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City.
Nominees: Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis; Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans; Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis

Biggest Surprise

Marques Colston, WR/TE, New Orleans: In leagues in which the rookie was eligible as a tight end, he was the best player at that position. Nobody took the former Hofstra player in fantasy drafts after he was taken with the fourth-to-last pick in the 2006 NFL draft. Colston finished the season with 70 receptions, 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns.

Runner-up: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville.
Nominees: Tony Romo, QB, Dallas; Marion Barber, RB, Dallas; Mike Furrey, WR, Detroit; Desmond Clark, TE, Chicago; Robbie Gould, K, Chicago.

Biggest Bust

LaMont Jordan, RB, Oakland: The Raider was chosen in first or second rounds in preseason fantasy drafts. If owners knew what they know now, he wouldn’t have been drafted at all in many leagues. After gaining 1,588 total yards, 11 touchdowns and 70 receptions (most among running backs) last season, expectations were high for this season. However, he recorded just 508 total yards, two touchdowns and 10 receptions in nine games.

Runner-up: Carnell Williams, RB, Tampa Bay.
Nominees: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Miami; Reuben Droughns, RB, Cleveland; Chris Chambers, WR, Miami; Randy Moss, WR, Oakland.

Rookie Of The Year

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville: With Fred Taylor ahead of the former UCLA star on the depth chart, he went undrafted in most preseason fantasy drafts. Jones-Drew collected 1,377 total yards and 15 touchdowns. He scored in the Jaguars’ last eight games and 10 of their last 12 contests.

Runner-up: Marques Colston, WR/TE, New Orleans.
Nominees: Vince Young, QB, Tennessee; Matt Leinart, QB, Arizona; Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans; Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis.

Final Point

The wide receiver position produced much fewer studs than in 2005. No receivers recorded 1,400 receiving yards in 2006, while five reached that mark in 2005. Also, just five receivers caught at least 10 touchdowns in 2006, compared to eight in 2005. The drop off in production likely will lead to receivers slipping down fantasy draft boards in 2007.