LaDainian Tomlinson is widely regarded as one of the greatest fantasy football players of all time, and for good reason. Bursting onto the scene in 2001 as a rookie for the San Diego Chargers, Tomlinson immediately made an impact. He rushed for 1,236 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding another 367 yards receiving, making him an instant fantasy asset. His dual-threat ability as both a runner and pass-catcher quickly separated him from other backs of the era, and he would go on to be a first-round staple in fantasy drafts for nearly a decade.
The peak of Tomlinson’s fantasy dominance came in his legendary 2006 MVP season, one of the greatest single seasons in NFL — and fantasy — history. That year, he rushed for 1,815 yards and a jaw-dropping 28 touchdowns, while also catching 56 passes for 508 yards and 3 more scores. His 31 total touchdowns set an NFL record at the time, and in fantasy football, he was virtually untouchable. Standard scoring leagues saw him rack up 481.1 points that year (per PPR, even more), which still stands as the highest-scoring fantasy season by any player since 2000 — and arguably ever, depending on scoring format.
Throughout his career, Tomlinson was a model of consistency and production. From 2001 to 2008, he never rushed for fewer than 1,100 yards in a season, and he tallied 10 or more rushing touchdowns in each of those eight seasons. In PPR formats, his reception totals — often between 50 and 100 per season — added even more value. He was a true bell-cow back in an era when workhorse running backs were the foundation of every great fantasy roster.
Even years after his retirement, LaDainian Tomlinson remains the gold standard for fantasy football greatness. His 2006 season is often used as the benchmark when comparing modern fantasy performances, and his ability to dominate on the ground and through the air makes him one of the most complete fantasy backs to ever play the game.
Fantasy Totals
Career Stats
LaDainian Tomlinson Career Stats
| Season | Team | G | Att | Yard | Avg | TD | Target | Rec | Yard | Avg | TD | FPts | FPts/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | SD | 16 | 339 | 1,236 | 3.6 | 10 | - | 59 | 367 | 6.2 | 0 | 279.3 | 17.5 |
| 2002 | SD | 16 | 372 | 1,683 | 4.5 | 14 | - | 79 | 489 | 6.2 | 1 | 386.2 | 24.1 |
| 2003 | SD | 16 | 313 | 1,645 | 5.3 | 13 | - | 100 | 725 | 7.3 | 4 | 439.0 | 27.4 |
| 2004 | SD | 15 | 339 | 1,335 | 3.9 | 17 | 66 | 53 | 441 | 8.3 | 1 | 338.6 | 22.6 |
| 2005 | SD | 16 | 340 | 1,464 | 4.3 | 18 | 77 | 51 | 370 | 7.3 | 2 | 354.4 | 22.2 |
| 2006 | SD | 16 | 349 | 1,815 | 5.2 | 28 | 80 | 56 | 508 | 9.1 | 3 | 474.3 | 29.6 |
| 2007 | SD | 16 | 315 | 1,474 | 4.7 | 15 | 86 | 60 | 475 | 7.9 | 3 | 362.9 | 22.7 |
| 2008 | SD | 16 | 292 | 1,110 | 3.8 | 11 | 77 | 52 | 421 | 8.1 | 1 | 277.1 | 17.3 |
| 2009 | SD | 14 | 223 | 730 | 3.3 | 12 | 30 | 20 | 154 | 7.7 | 0 | 180.4 | 12.9 |
| 2010 | NYJ | 15 | 219 | 914 | 4.2 | 6 | 79 | 52 | 355 | 6.8 | 0 | 214.9 | 14.3 |
| 2011 | NYJ | 14 | 75 | 280 | 3.7 | 1 | 60 | 42 | 449 | 10.7 | 2 | 132.9 | 9.5 |
Timeline
Career Highlights and Milestones ⬇️
Legendary Season
The Legendary 2006 Season of LaDainian Tomlinson
In 2006, LaDainian Tomlinson didn’t just dominate — he rewrote history. That season cemented his legacy not only as a Hall of Fame NFL running back but as perhaps the greatest fantasy football player ever for a single season.
NFL MVP & Record-Breaking Numbers
- Rushing Yards: 1,815
- Receiving Yards: 508
- Total Yards from Scrimmage: 2,323
- Total Touchdowns: 31 (28 rushing, 3 receiving)
- Receptions: 56
- NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-Pro
Tomlinson broke Shaun Alexander’s 2005 record for most total touchdowns in a season — and he did it with two games to spare. He also set a new mark for most points scored in a season (186) by a non-kicker.
Fantasy Football Immortality (PPR Scoring)
Total PPR Points: 474.3
Average Points Per Game: 29.6
Still the highest single-season PPR total by any player since 2000
L.T. wasn’t just scoring — he was putting fantasy teams on his back every single week. In leagues that awarded weekly high-score bonuses or payouts, Tomlinson won people their entry fees before the playoffs even started.
Fantasy Hot Streak – The Greatest Run Ever?
From Week 10 through Week 14, Tomlinson went on a five-game fantasy rampage that will likely never be matched:
🔹 Week 10 vs. Bengals: 104 rush yards, 4 TDs – 36.4 PPR points
🔹 Week 11 vs. Broncos: 105 rush yards, 74 rec yards, 4 TDs – 44.9 PPR points
🔹 Week 12 vs. Raiders: 109 rush yards, 2 TDs – 26.9 PPR points
🔹 Week 13 vs. Bills: 178 total yards, 2 TDs, 9 catches – 37.8 PPR points
🔹 Week 14 vs. Broncos (again): 123 rush yards, 3 TDs – 36.3 PPR points
That’s 182.3 PPR points in five weeks — an average of 36.5 per game.
For context, an entire RB2 season might score 180 points.
Turmoil and Controversy?
While Tomlinson was breaking records, there were whispers of criticism that the Chargers were leaning too heavily on him. Some media voices questioned whether head coach Marty Schottenheimer was overusing his star:
“How long can they ride Tomlinson before the wheels come off?” – Skip Bayless, ESPN 2006
The Chargers were also quietly under pressure — having finished 9-7 the year before and facing high expectations with young QB Philip Rivers taking over from Drew Brees. Some doubted if Rivers could lead the team, and critics viewed L.T. as masking offensive limitations.
Notable Media Quotes from 2006
“Tomlinson is the NFL’s ultimate cheat code. He’s doing things we haven’t seen since the days of Jim Brown.” – Peter King, Sports Illustrated (Dec 2006)
“LaDainian Tomlinson is not just the best back in football — he might be the best football player, period.” – Chris Berman, ESPN
“The MVP debate is over. Just give him the trophy. Wrap it up.” – Michael Wilbon, Washington Post & ESPN’s PTI (Week 13, 2006)
The Postseason Letdown
Despite finishing the regular season 14–2, the Chargers were upset by the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round. L.T. was solid (123 total yards, 2 TDs), but a late-game INT by Rivers and questionable coaching sealed their fate.
Tomlinson, frustrated by the Patriots’ celebratory antics, famously said:
“When you go to the middle of our field and do that dance, disrespecting us, that’s not class. They showed no class.”
It was the lone sour note on an otherwise perfect season.
Legacy of the 2006 Season
L.T.’s 2006 season became the gold standard for fantasy football dominance. Every year since, analysts and fans have asked:
“Could this player have an L.T.-like season?”
The answer is always: probably not.
His blend of rushing, receiving, consistency, and touchdowns over that 16-week stretch has never been replicated, and it may never be matched again.
Testimonials
What Was It Like to Have — or Face — LaDainian Tomlinson in Fantasy Football?
We asked fantasy managers to relive the glory and the heartbreak. Whether he carried them to a championship or crushed their playoff hopes with a 40-burger, one thing’s clear — LT left a lasting mark on every league he touched.
Here’s what they had to say…
I remember drafting LT third overall in 2006 because the first two guys took Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander. I didn’t even hesitate. The dude scored 31 touchdowns! He was my entire offense. I didn’t make a single waiver move all season — just sat back and watched Tomlinson rack up 30 points a week.
It was the first round of the playoffs, and I was the No. 1 seed. My team was stacked… except I ran into LT. He dropped a casual 3-TD, 200-yard game that week. My season ended in tears and tequila. I still take a deep breath when I see someone wearing a Chargers jersey.
I took Rudi Johnson instead of Tomlinson in the 2006 draft. Thought I was being clever. Big ‘zero RB’ energy before it was trendy. The guy who picked LT won the league and never lets us forget it. I spent the rest of the year watching LT highlights like I had just broken up with someone.
After missing the playoffs the year before thanks to LT wrecking me, I swore I’d never let that happen again. Drafted him first overall in 2007, and he didn’t disappoint — over 1,900 total yards, 18 touchdowns, and a PPR monster. Got my revenge. Won the chip. Framed the ESPN screenshot.
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