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There comes a point in every fantasy football draft where you’ll look at the carriers left on the board and find that you’re not cool to start one of them. Determining where that point depends on your risk aversion and scoring in your particular league, but building a winning list is essential.
You don’t have to worry about any of these things through the first three levels of running back. Almost all of the 18 players listed are considered reliable, although you might have an issue with a rookie like Clyde Edwards-Helaire or an injury risk like James Conner among them. It’s okay, scan them and know before your draft how many of these 18 you would agree to start.
Then do the same with the fourth and fifth levels. You don’t feel like that much of a guy, right? The less you like running backs, the more you lean towards drawing for the first three levels.
The remaining levels are a mix of guys whose names you will recognize with “lottery ticket” players who COULD get special if they get regular playing time. There is rarely a shortage of those running backs, just a lack of patience on the part of fantasy managers who don’t want to field a guy who doesn’t play all the clichés. You might find some backs who don’t mind being patient. Prioritize them with runners you would agree to start if you had to.
More levels and strategies:
PPR: first level and a half
Round 1
PPR: fifth level
Tours 6-7
PPR: high-end backups
Round 9-10
Non-PPR: first level
Round 1
Non-PPR: first level and a half
Round 1
Non-PPR: second level
2nd round
Non-PPR: third level
Between 35 and 50 in total
Non-PPR: fourth level
Round 5
Non-PPR: fifth level
Round 7
Non-PPR: sixth level
Round 8
Non-PPR: high-end backups
Tours 9 to 10
Non-PPR: low-end backups
Round 12+
So which fantasy football sleepers should you catch in your project? And which WR1 candidate can you expect late? Visit SportsLine now to get cheat sheets from the model who took part in Derrick Henry’s big season and find out.