RB Fantasy Draft Strategy 2024: Handling Early Rounds, Targets, Sleepers, Busts (Episode 759 with Evan Silva, Mike Leone, and Adam Levitan)
Aug 20, 2024
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Evan Silva, a fantasy football expert, joins Mike Leone, a fantasy sports analyst, and Adam Levitan, a season-long fantasy guru, to discuss 2024 RB draft strategies. They delve into picking running backs early and the importance of targeting strong options like Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard. Listeners learn about avoiding busts like Jonathan Taylor, navigating injury concerns with players like James Connor, and which late-round gems could emerge. They emphasize the balance between RBs and wide receivers for a competitive roster.
Prioritizing running backs in early rounds is crucial for a successful fantasy draft strategy, especially in home leagues with default rankings.
Employing a barbell strategy by targeting both top-tier and potential breakout running backs can maximize roster value and flexibility.
Deep dives
Draft Strategy for Running Backs
In preparing for home league drafts, a strategic approach to the running back position is essential. It is advisable to prioritize running backs in the early rounds, particularly in leagues where default rankings may undervalue them. Rankings from platforms like Yahoo and ESPN typically show wide receivers as better values in the mid to late rounds; however, this should not deter prioritizing running backs initially. Acquiring strong running backs early allows for capitalizing on valuable wide receiver options in later rounds, especially with the presence of emerging rookie wide receivers.
Key Draft Picks and Considerations
When deciding on top draft picks, knowing your league mates’ tendencies is crucial. In situations where the duo of Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall is available early, it may be prudent to select them over star wide receivers like CD Lamb and Tyreek Hill, particularly in formats requiring more running backs. The overall draft dynamics can shift significantly based on how many RBs are selected early, prompting a rush on remaining running back options. This emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and seizing opportunities based on the specific construction of your team and the behavior of your competitors.
Avoiding Running Back Pitfalls
It is vital to avoid becoming stranded with inadequate running back options during the draft. Players should be cautious about passively selecting wide receivers while neglecting running backs, as this can lead to difficult decisions and subpar picks in the middle rounds. Targeting running backs earlier is recommended to ensure a well-rounded roster, especially in instances when the best available players at other positions are no longer valuable options. By establishing a solid foundation at running back early, players can later maximize their wide receiver selections without compromising overall team strength.
Emerging Running Back Targets and Approaches
Targeting value running backs during drafts can be achieved through a barbell strategy, which involves selecting top-tier backs while also incorporating potential breakouts in later rounds. Promising options like Kyron Williams and Devon Achane present affordable value early on, while identifying potential late-round steals is equally important. Players such as Chase Brown, Raheem Mostert, or Tony Pollard can provide significant upside without the need for premier draft capital. Staying flexible and willing to adapt to how the draft unfolds will ultimately enhance the chances of constructing a balanced and competitive roster.
Adam Levitan, Evan Silva, and Mike Leone give a comprehensive breakdown on how to approach the RB position in season-long leagues for the upcoming season.
(2:28) - General Home League RB Strategy (5:42) - Picking at No. 2 or No. 3 (8:53) - Being Empty at RB in Mid Rounds (13:00) - RB-RB Starts (14:47) - RB Handcuffing (16:02) - Priority Target Running Backs (25:04) - RB Busts to Avoid (29:02) - Late-Round Strategy & Sleepers
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