2012 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Draft Back-to-Back-to-Back Running Backs

OK, this article is for people who play in leagues where you can start three RB's—so mainly leagues with a "flex" position. If you only can start two RB's then this article is NOT for you.

If you read my article from last week then you understand how vital it is to attack the RB position in 2012 due to the lack of RB's that can produce a solid amount of fantasy points.

I am participating in many fantasy football drafts and mock drafts this year, and I have found that I can get solid WR and QB value in rounds four through six and solid TE value later in the draft.

Let's take a look as if you were drafting sixth in a 12-team snake-style draft.

With the round one pick you could take Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, or Darren McFadden, but let's just take Chris Johnson.

Round two comes around and you see choices like Trent Richardson, Steven Jackson, and DeMarco Murray. Let's just take Steven Jackson here for a safer pick with less upside.  

Now round three roles around and you can choose Ahmad Bradshaw, Fred Jackson or Darren Sproles. Let's just take Ahmad Bradshaw here.  We now have Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, and Ahmad Bradshaw.

The following three rounds you pick QB, WR, and WR in any order and end up with Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, and Matt Ryan.

So your team looks like:

QB: Matt Ryan

RB: Steven Jackson

RB: Chris Johnson

RB: Ahmad Bradshaw

WR: Jeremy Maclin

WR: Percy Harvin

On the flip side, if you attacked QB or WR in the first three rounds then you will be selecting your third RB in the fourth or fifth round.

Fourth round RBs would probably be players like Frank Gore, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, or Isaac Redman.

Fifth round RBs would probably be guys such as Donald Brown, Willis McGahee or Reggie Bush.

Let's be honest, those RB's all come with risk/rewards from drafting a RB in the fourth or fifth round.

So your team could look like this if you drafted a QB in the first round:

QB: Tom Brady

RB: Steven Jackson

RB: Ahmad Bradshaw

RB: Reggie Bush

WR: Jeremy Maclin

WR: Reggie Wayne

So...Brady is better than Ryan, Steven Jackson and Bradshaw are a wash, Chris Johnson is better than Reggie Bush, Maclin is a wash and Harvin is better than Wayne. The team that drafted three RB's back to back now has the advantage.

It's a safe move to draft three RB's back-to-back-to-back, and there is more risk when you snag a WR or QB in the first three rounds if your league has a flex position.

Questions: Facebook me