2020 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Early-Round RB
In recent years, I’ve found myself starting redraft leagues earlier and earlier in the year. This is helpful in many ways. You get a good idea of where player ADPs are starting, you get great value on guys the market hasn’t come around on, and you can hammer out your preferred 2020 fantasy football draft strategy early.
With so many catchy strategy names like zero-RB and late round QB out there, it’s easy to get caught up in a fad. Similar to a crash diet, these strategies can either be really successful or cause your team to crash and burn.
While I don’t have a catchy name for my strategy in 2020, it will win you fantasy championships. Here are the reasons I’m starting my 2020 drafts RB-RB.
13 RBs Picked in the Top 18
I did some research using 4for4.com‘s ADP. On their site, they consolidate FFPC and best ball draft data. In 2020 drafts, 13 of the top 18 picks have been RB.
The top of the position is elite at RB with guys like McCaffrey and Barkley. Below them a slew of RBs can be counted on to give you either hyper-efficiency or north of 300 touches.
Currently the 13th RB off the board is Aaron Jones. After him, you get into the questionable rookie territory with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and the even more questionable veteran territory with guys like Leonard Fournette and Todd Gurley.
If you’re going to win a fantasy championship, you need elite players. By employing the fantasy football draft strategy of RB-RB, you’ll most likely lock up two studs at an important position.
WRs Galore in Rounds 3-7
Some draft strategies focus on acquiring players at positions where scarcity occurs. Others focus their efforts on acquiring players where an abundance of starter quality players can be had at cheap prices. This year, the RB-RB strategy capitalizes on both.
In rounds 3-7, there are 24 WR that I would feel comfortable starting as my WR1 or WR2. With the 1.01 you could realistically acquire this group of WR in the following rounds:
3.01 – Kenny Golladay
4.12 – Robert Woods
5.01 – DK Metcalf
6.12 – Deebo Samuel
7.01 – Michael Gallup
This group of WR would provide solid contributions at the top and insane upside for depth. At the same time, you could have this WR core after starting McCaffrey-CEH. Your team would be unstoppable.
Enticing Late Round RB Options
In the double digit rounds, your opportunity cost for any selection is extremely low. It’s very unlikely that any player selected this late will contribute on your team. That’s why I always go for high upside.
A consistent WR3/WR4 option will stay on your bench forever because you’ll never feel comfortable starting them. The most optimal option is to go high upside, and RB is a position with some intriguing upside.
Currently going in round 10 or later, you could lock up RBs like Alexander Mattison, Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard, Zack Moss, Duke Johnson, Boston Scott, Nyheim Hines, Antonio Gibson, Ryquell Armstead, and Joshua Kelley. If one thing or another falls their way in 2020, every RB I mentioned has league-winning upside.
When you go RB-RB early, it gives you a solid foundation at the position that allows you to build your other positions without needing to worry about RB. Once the later rounds come, you fill out your bench with high upside backup RBs. If even one of them hits, you’re sitting on a gold mine.
