Do you prefer hunting for running backs all season long, or loading up on the position on Draft Day with the hope that you don’t have to chase them?
It’s a trick question.
If you’re worth your salt as a Fantasy manager, you’re always going to be on the lookout for running backs off the waiver wire (and in trade) all season regardless of who you draft. That’s even if you’re one of the very lucky ones who don’t have to replace an injured or underperforming running back during the year.
So if you’re chasing running backs all year in all ways possible, you might as well not over-prioritize the position on Draft Day.
I think one thing you should count on is a majority of your league taking one running back with their first two picks. Almost everyone will begin their draft with one receiver and one running back. That’s because more and more people are gravitating toward taking the elite-level wide receivers earlier than ever (especially in PPR — they score more and aren’t as fragile). Taking one of each, usually with the receiver first, offers flexibility for your next few picks and balance for how you build your roster.
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Does this mean the Hero-RB strategy (one RB with your first four or more picks) is the right approach? No. It’s going to be popular, but I wouldn’t overlook another running back slipping into Round 2 or 3 and becoming a value pick for your roster.
So then Heavy-RB (two RBs with your first two or three picks) is still reasonable? It is if the value matches up. You will see at least two managers in every draft take two running backs with their first three picks, and it might even be with their first two picks. I wouldn’t blame them for it if there weren’t wide receivers they valued when they were up in the early rounds.
Then is the Zero-RB strategy worthless? No way. You should be thrilled if you can get two elite-tier receivers with your first two picks and then follow it up with excellent values at non-RB positions with your next two picks. There will be running back values in Round 5 and beyond — but you have to be OK with the realization that you won’t begin the season with consistent stat producers.
The keyword in all three of those answers? VALUE. That’s the name of the game in Fantasy drafts, regardless of position. You should never pass up a value, a bargain, or a steal.
That’s why it doesn’t make sense to commit to one of the three common running back strategies before your draft. You should know about them and be open to all three of them, and maybe prefer one of them to the others, but let the draft dictate which path you take.
Regardless of these scenarios, I still think it’s worth it to finish your draft with as many as seven running backs on your squad. Take as many shots as you can on runners who can become starters. You’d rather begin the year with them on your team than the waiver wire.
Pre-draft homework:
* Do receptions count for a full point? If they don’t then you should prioritize running backs immediately. You could do the same in half-point PPR, too.
* Figure out where the elite running backs end in your mind and the startable-but-not-as-good running backs begin. For me, Tier 4 is where the first big drop-off is, then another at Tier 6 in PPR, Lottery Tickets in non-PPR. You’re going to want running backs before these tiers run out … unless you don’t because you love Zero-RB.
* Take some time to target three or four late-round running backs. Look for guys in strong offenses who have an older runner in front of them, or an unproven runner in front of them. Some of my faves: Ty Chandler, Jordan Mason, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Trey Benson and Ray Davis.
Dave’s Tiers updated through Aug. 30: QB | RB | WR | TE | K/DST
Running back PPR tiers
Rounds 9-10
Lottery Tickets
Running back non-PPR tiers
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