Stud running back theory

 So you signed up for a fantasy football league this year and you have a draft coming up. What should you do to look like a professional? We all remember what Warren Moon did back in August of 2004 when he drafted Duante Culpepper overall with the very first pick of the draft on some fantasy football show. Everyone laughed and knew that Moon was a pretender and that you should avoid his advice.

So how do you draft? I normally follow a stud running back theory of drafting. So what is the "Stud RB" theory of drafting.

Everyone and their mother is drafting as many stud RBs as possible. By why? Should you even do this? Does it work? Can you modify this strategy?

Assuming standard scoring:
6 pts all TDs
1pt/20yds passing
1pt/10yds gained rushing or receiving
1pt/reception
Starting: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, Flex, TE, K, DEF

Using the starting lineup as your guide, you should quickly realize that every team basically starts 3 RBs. That is 2 RBs and 1 Flex. The Flex can be a WR or RB or TE. Why anyone would start a TE or WR is beyond me. Logically, and based on the standard scoring system, if you have three starting horses that will run every week, you should draft them.

So, the draft is going fine, you draft Portis in the first round. A few other backs go off the board, the top 3 receivers are gone and the top 2 QBs are gone. It's your turn again. There are plenty of QBs left, and tons of WRs that could all have big games or seasons. But there are only a limited number of starting RBs left. So you take a guaranteed starter like Brian Westbrook.

The draft goes on. Receivers start flying off the board and a QB every here and there. It's your turn again. You notice that Rudi Johnson is still available. Grab him. You basically have three starting RBs now, while others are still horsing around with QBs and WRs.

As the draft pulls through round 4, teams begin taking top TEs, taking DEFs and a few more WRs and QBs. It's your turn again. At this point, Kevin Jones is still available. You could pass on him, and let another manager grab him. Obviously, some managers are in desparate need of RBs at this point. Why not take him? Grab Jones, then you have 4 starting RBs. Since RBs are the scoring machines, you will have 4 nice ones to alternate and get you through the season and bye-weeks.

It's the 5th round, more defenses are being taken. Some teams are grabing more WRs. Your turn. Take the best available QB. Brady, Green, Plummer, Pennington, and Bulger will all still be available. Take one. I'll take Brady.

Now, its round six. Take 5 WRs in a row. There is still value available. Not everyone is as great of a judge of talent as you are. Take receivers that are the primary targets on their teams, but are not among the "elite" that are gone now. At this point you could take Rod Smith, Deion Branch, Muhsin Muhammad, David Givens, Johnnie Morton, Eddie Kennison, Jerry Porter, Javon Walker, Terry Glen, Joey Galloway, Todd Pinkston, and many more. Just get a good group of them.

In the last three rounds pick up a defense you expect to play well, but is not in the "projected" top 5. Those will be gone. St. Louis, Denver, Washington, Minnesota, Tennesee, and maybe even Oakland. Take a TE that is on a high powered scoring team that likes to distribute the ball, like Daniel Graham on NE. Then choose any kicker that plays in a dome on a high scoring team. Or a team that can't finish and will kick a lot of field goals.

This is the 3RB theory that I would employ. You may not have top players at other positions, but you will have three starting RBs. They will carry you far.