A 3east Fantasy Football Perspective

What’s the Rush?

By Mark 

 

It’s only a matter of time before the fantasy football world catches on and mirrors “reality” football even more than it already does.  What is the one main component of a successful franchise in the NFL these days?  A franchise quarterback.  Being fortunate enough to own Aaron Rodgers in 4 out of 6 leagues that I am currently competing in, I’ve decided to further examine the new debate: first round running back vs. first round quarterback.

 

If you’re reading this blog, you clearly have an interest in fantasy football and have probably drafted many teams over the past few years.  But whether you’re new to the fantasy game or a vet that spends countless hours wondering how you can improve “your” team, I’m sure the majority of your drafts have been running back heavy in the first round. 

 

Why is this?  Many people will debate that because you need two running backs to fill out your weekly starting team, you had better grab one early.  However, if we went by this logic, wide receivers would be flying off of the board at an alarming rate, considering the fact that most standard leagues start 3 receivers per team.  To me, it’s quite the contrary.  I find the fact that you are only allotted one starting quarterback (again, in most leagues), that it makes that position all the more valuable. 

 

Because of the speed and violence of today’s NFL, running backs are much more susceptible to injuries.  Quarterbacks are now coddled by ridiculous rules, so if you draft a high end QB, you can be fairly assured he will be in action every single week, aside from Manning of course.

 

Adrian Peterson has been great so far this year, and to my surprise, able to avoid injuries.  In many draft rooms, he was taken number 1 overall, but is he really going to hold up for the entire season?  Aside from AP and Ray Rice, the productivity of other highly touted running backs has been less than marvelous.  Chris Johnson is a joke and if you have been able to draft him and still maintain a successful season, I commend you.  Arian Forster has been solid, but was banged up to start to year.  Rashard Mendenhall has over 400 yards rushing but a measly 3 touchdowns.  A good quarterback will get you that on a weekly basis.  Darren McFadden started the season off with a bang, but injuries are once again taking their toll on the often maligned Run DMC. 

 

Meanwhile Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, rook Cam Newton, and countless other signal callers have been not only healthy, but putting up huge numbers in the fantasy department. 

 

A lack of depth at running back isn’t an excuse either.  “I drafted Peyton Hillis over Brady or Vick because I needed a running back.”  No, what you need are guys who put up points, no matter what.  I know I used to hit the panic button if I didn’t land a projected top 5 running back.  No top 10?  Well I may as well not compete.  However, look at some of the names down the list: Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, Fred Jackson, Matt Forte, and Beanie Wells.  Not to mention waiver-wire additions like DeMarco Murray and Ben Tate.  There is much more depth at running back than quarterback.  You can hit a late round or waiver homerun with Darren Sproles, you’ll never hit one with Christian Ponder.

 

I’m competing in 6 leagues.  I own Aaron Rodgers in 4 of them.  I’m rolling in all 4.  I was able to land him late in the first round or even as late as a mid-second round pick.  The compelling need to grab a running back early still hasn’t left escaped me completely, so I was able to grab a legit option right after I nailed down the number 1 player in all of fantasy this season. 

 

From now on, I’ll let everyone else run CJ2K and MJD into the ground.  Meanwhile I’ll look like the sucker on draft day; first to take a QB.  But I figure, what’s the rush?  I’m not about filling positional needs.  I’m about scoring points.