One of the biggest mistakes in fantasy football is not drafting a running back in the first two rounds. No matter how tempting it may be to draft one of the top quarterbacks or wide receivers, all participants should draft their No. 1 running back in the second round at the latest. In fact, most participants should draft their top-two running backs in the first two rounds of their fantasy football draft.
Running Backs Gain Double the Points in Fantasy Football Leagues
The main reason why it's important to draft a top running back in during the first two rounds is because of point value. Unlike wide receivers and tight ends, running backs have a higher potential of gaining points.
In most leagues, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends will receive a point for every 10 yards, whether it is done on the ground or in the air. This is why running backs can make or break fantasy football teams.
The great part about running backs in the NFL is not only can they run the ball, but they can make a great wide receiver too. If a quarterback struggles to find a receiver open down the field, they can always throw a screen pass to the running back in hopes of them finding a hole to move down the field.
With a running back, there is always a higher potential they will gain yardage on the ground and through the air. As far as fantasy football goes, this means there is a higher potential to receive points both ways. Therefore, the top running backs in the league should be taken early on in hopes of receiving double the points each week.
Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers That Are Fantasy Football Exceptions
Most fantasy football participants feel safe with drafting their top-two running backs during the first two rounds because of the potential of gaining points on not just the ground, but through the air too. However, there are certain cases when a participant should draft players other than a running back in the first two rounds.
Every once in a while, there is a quarterback or wide receiver that put up such impressive numbers during a season, it would be foolish not to take them in the first round.
In most fantasy football leagues, a quarterback will receive six points for every touchdown thrown during a game. During the 2004 season, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was in a league of his own in fantasy football, throwing for 49 touchdowns in the 16 games he played in. That's an average of 18 points per game alone without calculating total yards thrown!
In 2007, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss made NFL history before losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLIII.
In their first season playing together, the dynamic duo connected for 23 touchdowns. On top of that, Brady set an NFL record by throwing for 50 touchdowns that season. Multiply each touchdown by six and it's easy to see why these two players dominated in fantasy football leagues.
Manning, Brady, and Moss are all exceptions to the rule of drafting a running back in the first two rounds during fantasy football drafts. Each player dominated at their position to set them apart from the rest of the quarterbacks and wide receivers in the NFL.
With the potential for points these players bring to each fantasy football team, it's no mystery why participants want to select them as quick as possible when their selection comes up in the first round of fantasy football drafts.
Dan Parzych - I just finished my college career at the University of Dayton. For the last three years, I have worked at WUDR 99.5, which is Dayton's ...
