NFL

Developing a sound strategy before entering into a draft is the best way to ensure that one has a leg up to try to dominate the competition in a fantasy football league. Like the NFL itself, fantasy football has steadily evolved alongside the actual game it’s based on.

Gone are the days of loading up on workhorse running backs and expecting them to carry the team into the postseason and eventually to a league title. While running backs still hold plenty of importance on a fantasy roster, they don’t possess the same paramount cruciality that they once did decades ago, especially in a half or full-point-per-reception league.

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One key aspect of crafting the best team is knowing where the value is within each position. For example, reaching for two strong running backs while the rest of the league goes on a run for wide receivers may just leave a drafter with a top-heavy team that eventually falters due to injuries or depth.

So far this season, the focus has been centered around wide receivers, as the new-age passing game has put more importance on those who can create big plays through the air. The days of a three-down back getting 25-plus carries a night are pretty much long gone.

High Upside Pass Catchers

• Courtland Sutton
• Michael Thomas
• Kadarius Toney
• Zach Charbonnet,
• Samaje Perine, and
• Damien Harris

According to Fantasy Pros, of the top 100 players in average draft position, 38 are running backs while 41 are wide receivers. That leaves 10 tight ends and 11 quarterbacks to round out the first centurion to be taken off of the board. That said, there appears to be better depth at wide receiver this year than at running back.

After the first 100, high-upside pass-catchers such as Courtland Sutton, Michael Thomas, and Kadarius Toney are still available. At half back, though, the depth seems to drop off significantly following the top-100, with names like Zach Charbonnet, Samaje Perine, and Damien Harris going after the first 38 backs in ADP.

🔥🔥🔥Redraft Target Profile🔥🔥🔥@KZ1180 continues our Redraft Target series by discussing the value of #BroncosCountry WR Courtland Sutton.@MyFantasyLeague #FantasyFootball

📺: https://t.co/YsnJQk85Kk pic.twitter.com/xXVOtUcNOZ

— Fantasy In Frames (@FantasyInFrames) August 11, 2023

None of those three are expected to be the starter at running back for their teams entering the upcoming season, and Harris could even lose the backup role to Latavius Murray behind him. While drafting a good crop of wide receivers is certainly crucial, it appears that there’s more value in the later rounds than at running back.

This season, it may be a good idea to load up on ball carriers in the middle round if one isn’t able to secure a trustworthy rotation with their first few picks.

Michael Thomas is ready for a comeback season 🚀 pic.twitter.com/e1NWRtPzM6

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 14, 2023

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| Title: Should you target wide receivers or running backs first in fantasy football this year?
| Author: Andy Quach
| Date: Aug 15th, 2023