Why do most people advise taking 2 running backs in their first two fantasy picks?

Question

I am in an 8 person league. I pick second. And after I pick second I will have to wait about 12 more picks before my second. But then I will have my second and third picks pretty close to each other. Should I take a quarterback and receiver - instead of another running back?

Answer 1

It depends on the players available. If everyone has taken a running back, then I would say go for a QB and/or WR. If there is still a very good running back use either 2 or 3 round to grab another one and use the other pick on a QB or WR. There are only about 5 elite WRs (C. Johnson, T. Owens, M. Harrison, maybe T. Holt, maybe R. Moss) and 3 elite QBs (P. Manning, C. Palmer (if healthy), D. Culpepper (if healthy), maybe T. Green) each year. After that, everyone is fairly even.

When fantasy football started and became popular, running backs were the most important players because they could get you points in so many facets. Today, short yardage plays and screens go to wide receivers and tight ends, so the receiving yards aren't where they once one for RBs. Also, most leagues grant you 1 point/10 yards rushing and 1 point/20 yards (or so) receiving. A 100 yard rusher gains 10 points, a 100 yard recevier gains you 5.

Answer 2

Most people are playing in 12 team leagues - or at least 10. In an 8-team league, this doesn't necessarily apply. In an 8-team league, everyone's team looks amazing.

But here's why people say that:

Most leagues require you to start 1 QB, 2 WR, 2 RB, 1 TE, 1 DST, 1 PK

The QB puts up the most points, but you only start one of them. The difference between taking Matt Hassleback in the 4th round and Jake Delhomme in the 7th is almost neglible.

But you need 2 RB's and the drop off in performance is astonishing. You cannot get a RB in the 4th/5th round in most leagues who is even a starter, nevermind productive.

That is not true of WR's, where thousand yard guys are going in the 8th-12th rounds. Also, this year the top-tier WR's are a lot closer together than in years past, and their starting to go lower than before. Moss and sometimes Harrison would go anywhere from pick 10 to 14. You won't see that this year.

Of the first 20 picks, you'll probably see 14 RB, 1 QB, and 5 WR taken. The first 10 picks may all be RB (with the possible exception of Manning).

Which team would you rather have - assume a draft position of #6 in a 12 team league:

Team A:
Edgerrin James
Terrell Owens
Tom Brady
Reuben Droughns
Rod Smith

Team B:
Edgerrin James
Julius Jones
Roy Williams
Deion Branch
Drew Brees (and this is too early for him, but just to make my point)

Both teams have the same #1 RB
Team A has a better QB and #1 WR
Team B has a better #2 RB and #2 WR

It's how big the difference is that makes the point.

Answer 3

I would say take a QB for your second pick. Take Alexander for the first pick if he is still there. QBs get the points and that would be a safe bet after the RB. Those two will put up most of your points for your team. WRs get hurt way to often for them to be effective.

Answer 4

BECAUSE RUNNING BACKS WILL WIN YER LEAGUE FOR YOU, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANYONE AFTER PEYTON MANNING AND THE 15 TH RANKED QB IS VERY LITTLE , AND THERE IS A MILLION WIDE RECIEVERS, BUT RUNNING BACKS AFTER THE TOP 10 TO 15 REALLY DWINDLE FAST, THEY WILL GET HURT SO HAVE 3 GOOD ONES AND NOT A BAD IDEA TO HAVE 4,