Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
It wasn’t long ago when fantasy football owners were obsessed with loading up on running backs. Most owners would draft between eight or nine backs in hopes that a handful would emerge as prime-time ball carriers.
In recent seasons, though, there has been a major transition within the game. Instead of running backs finishing with 20-plus touchdowns every season, quarterbacks are now throwing for 40-plus scores on a yearly basis. As a result, it has drastically increased the value of the wide receivers across the board.
To show the difference, let’s look at a scoring breakdown of both positions last season.
There were 10 different wideouts that hauled in double-digit touchdowns in 2013.
|
Player |
TDs |
|
1. Demaryius Thomas |
14 |
|
2. Dez Bryant |
13 |
|
3. Brandon Marshall |
12 |
|
Calvin Johnson |
12 |
|
5. Eric Decker |
11 |
|
A.J. Green |
11 |
|
7. Larry Fitzgerald |
10 |
|
Jerricho Cotchery |
10 |
|
Wes Welker |
10 |
|
Marvin Jones |
10 |
Shockingly, only five running backs reached double-digit touchdowns.
|
Player |
TDs |
|
1. Marshawn Lynch |
12 |
|
Jamaal Charles |
12 |
|
3. Eddie Lacy |
11 |
|
4. Adrian Peterson |
10 |
|
Knowshon Moreno |
10 |
The wide receiver position has become much safer in recent seasons, as there are too many Running Back By Committees (RBBC) around the league right now. In fantasy formats that feature a RB/WR flex position, it may be smarter to start another number one wideout in that spot, as opposed to a time-share running back.
Fantasy owners can grab two star wideouts in the first three rounds and still be able to find enough high-potential backs in the later rounds to have a successful season. Everyone knows that the running back position is a crapshoot after the first 10 backs anyway and it just isn’t worth reaching for a back that will split carries all year.
So when you are preparing your draft strategy for 2014 fantasy drafts, don’t be afraid to go RB, WR, WR in the first three rounds.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
