It’s that time of year for fantasy football fans where the season is right around the corner and thorough research is being done on how to put together a fantasy championship-winning team. Many fantasy enjoyers though fall victim to focusing on players to draft rather than a draft strategy that can help them draft the best team possible. Below is a draft strategy called the “Hero RB Draft Strategy” that has helped many fantasy enjoyers achieve fantasy glory.
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Win Fantasy Football With The Hero RB Draft Strategy
The Hero RB Strategy appeals to drafters that hold any picks from the sixth to the fourteenth pick in 10-man, 12-man, or 14-man leagues. With their first-round pick, fantasy drafters will draft a premier running back that has the potential to be a top-five running back in fantasy points for that year. The next five or six picks will be focused on filling out other parts of their roster such as quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end before they take another running back.
Looking at data, there were five running backs in the top 10 in fantasy scoring in 2022 with positions like wide receiver only having two players, tight end having one, and quarterback only having one showing the value of running backs. Expanding the list to the top 25 players in fantasy scoring in 2022, there were 10 running backs which makes up 40% of the list
Taking a running back in the first round will more than likely guarantee fantasy owners a top 25 fantasy player and potentially a top 10 fantasy scorer in their league.
Which RBs to Target for the “Hero RB”?
In a 10-man, 12-man, or 14-man league with the sixth pick or a little higher, drafters will potentially have the option of taking projected top fantasy running backs like Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry, or Saquon Barkley. All these running backs will see high volume through their respective offenses and fit the “Hero RB” roll.
Now say some are in a position where they are the tenth pick or higher, they will be looking at running backs like Tony Pollard and Nick Chubb who will be just as good as the names mentioned above to fill the “Hero RB” role.
“Hero RB” Drafted… Now What?
Looking towards fantasy drafters second pick, having the sixth pick or higher in the first round in any league will be to their benefit in snake drafts as they will find potential WR1 value in the second round with this strategy.
Wide receivers in the early second round that have an ADP of the 11th to the 16th pick according to ESPN Fantasy, are names like Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, and CeeDee Lamb who all have WR1 ceilings.
In deeper leagues such as a 12-man or 14-man league, wide receivers that have been available in the second round with ADPs from the 17th to the 27th pick according to ESPN Fantasy are A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Garret Wilson, Jaylen Waddle, and D.K. Metcalf.
Getting any of these receivers will immediately give fantasy owners a receiver capable of being a top 25 fantasy player in 2023 with upside to be even higher.
The Mid Rounds of a Hero RB Draft Strategy
With a Hero RB and WR1 secured, fantasy owners will fill out their roster except for running backs with their next three or four picks. The running backs this year projected to go in rounds three and five are limited in potential upside due to many being in “running backs by committee” offensive situations such as Breece Hall and Rhamondre Stevenson.
Between the third and sixth round, drafters can find wide receivers that are solid WR2 with WR1 potential like Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper, tight ends with top five TE potential such as Mark Andrews and T.J. Hockenson, and quarterbacks with top five QB potential like Justin Herbert and Justin Fields.
These mid rounds are where fantasy championship teams are built, so it is important fantasy owners target players that will be in top 10 offenses in the NFL. Drafting a quarterback, two or three more wide receivers, or a tight end in these rounds will give fantasy owners teams multiple fantasy weapons to choose from week to week.
Taking a Second Running Back
When the roster starts to take shape, taking that second running back will become the main priority around the fifth round at the earliest. Running backs like Rachaad White, Miles Sanders, and James Connor will be the main targets as these running backs have been averaging an ADP of the fifth and sixth rounds.
Fantasy owners waiting to take a second running back in later rounds is a viable option with this strategy. Players like Cam Akers, Javonte Williams, and Khalil Herbert who have been averaging an ADP of the seventh round or later are options to look at in this scenario. There is huge upside in these running backs due to the fact that they are clear top running backs in their offenses, with the potential upside of being a top 20 fantasy running back that can be drafted in later rounds.
Time to Win Your League
After taking a second running back, all that is left is filling out the depth of the fantasy roster of players who can be poised for a breakout year or good bench stashes.
After executing the Hero RB Draft Strategy, fantasy owners should have by the end of the draft a running back who will most likely finish in the top 10 in fantasy scoring, a wide receiver who will finish in the top 25 for fantasy scoring, and any combination of a quarterback, wide receivers, or a tight end that will all finish in the top 60 for fantasy scoring.
If you decide to roll with this championship-winning strategy, good luck and happy drafting!
