Assembling a literal stable of ball hogging studs that can run and catch the football is life. Matthew J. Jillson (@eatcookcryptos) on how to do it.
Here we go, Freaks. Gravy is what it’s all about. The indispensable condiment that smoothes rough edges and ties the dish together, making it more than the sum of its parts: The Running Back.
More Draft Strategy: To Stream or Not to Stream | Wide Receivers
At this point in your planning, it must be clear and undeniable to you that quality running backs will be the cornerstone to your success this season. A position that is typically ravaged by the injury plaguing curse that has befallen and tested all of us, assembling a literal stable of ball hogging studs that can run and catch the football is life. This means: draft early and draft often, fraulein.
As the NFL season progresses no other position that gets fed the ball takes as much punishment consistently as the running back. Some of you might be wondering why I’m mentioning something so obvious and why you should care? Very simple, people, for the most part, plan their fantasy team poorly for 16 weeks of nonstop hell. Never assume everything will go to plan in this accursed game and be prepared for when it doesn’t.
Do you think getting out of a draft with 3 or 4 running backs will be enough to keep you fed during the season? WRONG! The Chaos Gods of Fantasy Football are waiting for just this perfect scenario to take all your hopes and dreams, turn them sideways and well, I believe you know what happens next. Draft early and draft often! Better to have your league website cut you off from picking up more pass-catching running backs.
The type of back you will want to draft will in a large part be determined by your league rules. In any type of point per reception league, pass-catching running backs will usually be the premium choice. The ability to rack up production of one hundred yards running AND catching in one game is tough to pass up.
It is easy to get caught up on a player such as Derrick Henry because he exploded on the ground last season during the fantasy playoffs. The reality is he had some wild games at the exact right time but it only took him 12+ weeks to get there first. Ground and pound is fun to watch but it typically isn’t consistent for fantasy purposes. This is where a little research goes a long way – figure out the names of backs who have running and pass-catching potential then aggressively go after them, you will not be disappointed. We live in a passing league now.
We must take a step back and note league rules make sort of a big deal at this point in strategizing. Full point per reception, half-point, and one hundred yard bonuses, what are we looking at? These are the details that you need to be as comfortable with as Mom checking your temperature with a rectal thermometer.
Remember friends, as we have discussed, full point PPR leagues anoint certain wide receivers with the Emperor’s fury. Awe-inspiring heralds of league-wide devastation in the grim darkness of this season’s future. You need to plan for at least one of these Avatars of Point Scoring — Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Julio Jones, and Odell Beckham Jr. — if you draw a mid-round or later pick as you are accumulating PASS-CATCHING running backs, especially in a 12-team league.
I dislike talking about wide receivers on Gravy Day but this is an important caveat to respect this season if in a full point PPR league.
As you prepare to lay the foundation for your success in 2019, consider a few things while Empire building. Realize The Curse will strike and you should be ready for it — hell it’s already starting (see Jerick Mckinnon). You can cut corners on committing early-round picks to other positions because they are easily refillable. You do this so that you can load up on starting, pass-catching running backs. Never underestimate the cheap value of a back up to a star runner. Don’t yada-yada your way through league rules, it turns out they bite. And the rest you ask? Its gravy baby, have fun this season.
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