Best Ball fantasy football leagues focus solely on the draft, eliminating the need for in-season management. This format places a premium on draft strategies that maximize potential points throughout the season. Another strategy is the “Bully Running Back” approach, which involves prioritizing running backs in the early rounds to secure a dominant backfield. Here’s a guide on how to implement the Bully Running Back strategy in your Best Ball drafts.
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Understanding the Bully Running Back Strategy
The Bully Running Back strategy revolves around drafting two or three top-tier running backs in the early rounds of the draft. This approach capitalizes on the positional scarcity and high variance associated with running backs, ensuring a strong and reliable foundation for your team.
Why the Bully Running Back Strategy Works
Positional Scarcity
Elite running backs are typically scarce, with a significant drop off in production after the top tier. Securing these players early ensures you have reliable, high-scoring options each week.
High Weekly Ceiling
Top running backs often serve as the focal points of their offenses, leading to consistent touches and high-scoring potential. They also have the ability to produce massive weeks, which is a game-changer in Best Ball formats.
Injury Insurance
By drafting multiple elite running backs, you provide yourself with insurance against injuries and underperformance, a common risk at this volatile position.
Implementing the Bully Running Back Strategy
Draft Elite Running Backs Early
Use your first two or three picks to secure top-tier running backs. Players like Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, and Bijan Robinson are prime targets. These players offer high floors and ceilings, making them ideal cornerstones for your team.
Focus on High-Upside Wide Receivers Next
After securing your running backs, shift your focus to wide receivers. Aim for players with high target shares, explosive play potential, and roles in pass-heavy offenses. These wide receivers will complement your strong backfield and provide the necessary balance.
Consider an Early Tight End
If a top-tier tight end like Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, or Sam Laporta falls to a value spot in the middle rounds, consider drafting them. Elite tight ends can offer a significant weekly advantage and add to your team’s overall consistency.
Draft Complementary Running Backs Later
In the middle to late rounds, continue to draft running backs with upside. Look for players in ambiguous backfield situations, rookies with potential, or high-value handcuffs. This ensures you have depth and potential breakout candidates to support your early investments.
Monitor Bye Weeks
Pay attention to bye weeks when drafting your running backs to avoid having multiple key players out simultaneously. Properly managing bye weeks is crucial in Best Ball formats to maintain consistent scoring.
Balance Your Roster
While the focus is on running backs, ensure you still build a balanced roster. Depth at wide receiver and tight end is essential to cover for injuries, bye weeks, and underperformance.
Example Draft Plan
Rounds 1-3
Draft two or three elite running backs. Secure cornerstone players who will provide consistent production and high weekly ceilings.
Rounds 4-8
Focus on drafting high-upside wide receivers and consider a top-tier tight end if available. Build a strong core at these positions to complement your running backs.
Rounds 9-12
Continue adding depth at wide receiver and tight end. Draft complementary running backs with potential upside.
Rounds 13-16
Add more high upside players at running back and wide receiver. Look for breakout candidates and players in favorable situations.
Rounds 17-20
Draft a quarterback or two with solid potential and favorable matchups. Continue to build depth across all positions.
Advantages and Risks
Advantages
- Strong Foundation: Securing top-tier running backs early provides a reliable and high-scoring foundation for your team.
- High Weekly Ceiling: Elite running backs offer the potential for massive weekly scores, which are game changers in Best Ball formats.
- Injury Insurance: Drafting multiple elite running backs mitigates the risk of injuries and underperformance at the position.
Risks
- Early Investment: Investing heavily in running backs early means you may miss out on elite players at other positions.
- Positional Volatility: Running backs are inherently more prone to injuries and role changes, which can impact their consistency.
- Depth Concerns: Focusing on running backs early may lead to weaker depth at wide receiver and tight end. Balancing your roster is crucial.
The Bully Running Back strategy offers a powerful and effective approach to Best Ball drafts. By securing multiple elite running backs early, you build a strong and reliable foundation for your team. Complementing your backfield with high-upside wide receivers, a potential top-tier tight end, and depth at all positions ensures a balanced and competitive roster. The Bully Running Back strategy can position you for success in your Best Ball leagues.
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