Positional Importance (1 Viewer)

[Hue G]

In the three fantasy leagues that I participate in I was just looking over the rosters of the teams that made the playoffs. Each league has 12 teams where 6 teams make the playoffs none of which are PPR. Two of the three leagues award 6 points for passing TDs the other one 4 besides that they're fairly standard scoring leagues. Two of the leagues start 2RBs and 3WRs the other starts 2RBs 2WRs and 1 Flex TE is also a starting position in all 3 leagues.

I noticed a couple things about roster similarities of these leagues, first Calvin Johnson and Wes Welker only showed up once each on playoff teams in any of the 3 leagues. Second, there was only one instance where Brees, Rodgers, or Brady owned teams didn't make the playoffs and that was on a team in a 6 point per passing TD league. Last and most importantly in all three leagues the biggest trend I saw was that top 7 RBs showed up almost every single time except in one instance where a team with Ray Rice was eliminated. Also teams that were top 2 and received first round byes ALWAYS have 2 high end RBs though in a couple instances they may have DMac or Fred Jackson who have recently been injured and only about half those teams have a top QB and ALL of those teams only have one or zero top 10 WRs except one that had 3 top 10 WRs(but also has 2 top 7 RBs). The last thing I noticed is that less that half of playoff teams owned a top 5 TE and interestingly enough Rob Gronkowski showed up on zero playoff rosters even though his draft position was so low.

I've come to the conclusion that RBs are still far and away the most important position in fantasy football with QBs coming in 2nd (even in a 4 point per throwing TD league). WRs and TEs are more like an afterthought, nice to have but not necessarily essential. I really believe the bottom line is consistency top RBs and QBs are very consistent from week to week where even the highest end WRs and TEs can be very inconstant.

Kind of curious if other people have noticed the same trends in leagues they're in.

 

[gandalas]

Gronk is by far the key to me in the one league that I barely made the playoffs. That in a 12-team league where I fielded potentially the best stable of RBs in the league as well - MJD, Frank Gore, and Darren McFadden/Mike Bush.

I still think a balanced approach is the best possible solution, like it has always been. RBs are important, but hitting on that lucky player is just as much so. This year, it was Gronk for me. Drafted in the 3rd round of my rookie draft.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

It depends a lot on your roster requirements. I think across the board though, the key to most playoff teams are superior QB's. I have maybe the worst RB's on two rosters and I'm making the playoffs with Rodgers and a good WR crews. Gronk in one league also helps. Of course, these leagues start up to 4 WR's and minimum 2 RB's. In this case, RB's are anything but king.

 

[Dought Man]

Rodgers led a lot of middling teams to the playoffs in my 8 leagues. The Rodgers team made the playoffs in every single one. 5 exited this weekend because Rodgers had one of his worst fantasy outputs of the season at the wrong time. I imagine the other 3 will be eliminated next week after Rodg comes out at the half.

 

[dmb359]

I think it depends on the roster settings and scoring, but RB's and QB's are both well ahead of WR's in my mind (although PPR would get it a little closer).

QB's are probably the most important in my mind (especially in 6pt per TD pass leagues), because an elite QB is more consistent than an elite anything else, and there are less elite QB options. RB's flow a lot more with their matchups, so you can do well in games by playing the right mid-level RB's, and stud RB's can have bad weeks with bad matchups. WR's typically get less touches and less TD's, and there are so many more good options to choose from. Good options at RB and WR can be had during the season on waivers too, and thats a lot tougher to find for QB's.

Although I still almost always draft an RB first, so go figure.

 

[Hue G]

I also think there are usually many more opportunities during the season to pick up a solid FA WR than pretty much any other position. Next year I'm really contemplating waiting until about the 5th round to take a WR and going 3 RBs and 1 QB in the first 4 rounds in all of my leagues.

 

[solorca]

In my main league with 6 points per passing TD, the Brees, Rodgers, and Brady owners ALL missed the playoffs. RB's are definitely the backbone of all of the playoff teams (6 make it out of 12). We can start two RB's, plus a flex.

My Team - McCoy, Lynch, Murray (also lost Jackson and Best to injuries) - Romo QB

#2 Seed - Rice, Mathews, Morris/Smith - Stafford QB

#3 Seed - Forte, Peterson, Gore, Blount - Ryan/Freeman QB

#4 Seed - Chris Johnson, Mcfadden/Bush, Reggie Bush - Eli QB

#5 Seed - Foster, Wells, Benson, BJGE - Roethlisberger QB

#6 Seed - Turner, Mendenhall - Dalton QB (lost Schaub)

 

[Hue G]

In my main league with 6 points per passing TD, the Brees, Rodgers, and Brady owners ALL missed the playoffs. RB's are definitely the backbone of all of the playoff teams (6 make it out of 12). We can start two RB's, plus a flex.My Team - McCoy, Lynch, Murray (also lost Jackson and Best to injuries) - Romo QB#2 Seed - Rice, Mathews, Morris/Smith - Stafford QB#3 Seed - Forte, Peterson, Gore, Blount - Ryan/Freeman QB#4 Seed - Chris Johnson, Mcfadden/Bush, Reggie Bush - Eli QB#5 Seed - Foster, Wells, Benson, BJGE - Roethlisberger QB#6 Seed - Turner, Mendenhall - Dalton QB (lost Schaub)

Remember all the talk about the reverse draft strategy during draft time this year? I bet this is the last time people practice that strategy.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

The best rbs (those that are also involved in the passing game or those that score inordinate amounts of TDs) are still king...but in the leagues I am in at least it seems that wrs are much more consistently reliable. Too many RBBCs out there.

 

[habsfan]

RB is far and away the position I worry about the most throughout the season. Who to start? Who to pick up? Who's healthy? How healthy are they? I never feel like I have enough talent or depth there.

 

[Arizona Ron]

I've always played in 2RB, 2WR, 1FLEX PPR leagues. If I have 3 RBs starting and productive, I make the playoff. The years I miss the playoffs are when repeatedly forced to start 3WRs due to RB issues.

RB is king.

 

[solorca]

In my main league with 6 points per passing TD, the Brees, Rodgers, and Brady owners ALL missed the playoffs. RB's are definitely the backbone of all of the playoff teams (6 make it out of 12). We can start two RB's, plus a flex.My Team - McCoy, Lynch, Murray (also lost Jackson and Best to injuries) - Romo QB#2 Seed - Rice, Mathews, Morris/Smith - Stafford QB#3 Seed - Forte, Peterson, Gore, Blount - Ryan/Freeman QB#4 Seed - Chris Johnson, Mcfadden/Bush, Reggie Bush - Eli QB#5 Seed - Foster, Wells, Benson, BJGE - Roethlisberger QB#6 Seed - Turner, Mendenhall - Dalton QB (lost Schaub)

Remember all the talk about the reverse draft strategy during draft time this year? I bet this is the last time people practice that strategy.

I would probably agree. A guy in my league had perhaps the best start you could imagine to a reverse draft, getting Andre and Calvin in the first and second rounds. He became the first team in the history of our league to finish 0-13. He did end up missing in a lot of other too, just to be fair (drafted Manning in the third while he was still expected to play, missed on all of his sleeper picks, etc.)

 

[ShaHBucks]

Value is king and Every position is important

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

This year, more than any other year... I noticed that the most dominant teams were the ones that had a stud QB - TE combo. Any team that had Rodgers- Brady - Brees- Newton and also had Gronk or Graham was hard to beat.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I won't argue that it's important to have good RB's or downplay their importance. Having said that, go look at the drafted players in the first and second round, and I think you'll find a whole bunch of RB's that fizzled out due to injury. That's why I won't put a premium on drafting a stud RB, because you can load up and pickup good RB's later in the draft, without spending a fortune on guys who won't be in your lineup all season long. RB's take too much punishment and RBBC's limit their value anyway. There are only a few yearlong stud RB's to be had, and the chances you get a dud in the first two rounds picking a RB is too rich for my blood. I'd much rather take my stud QB and a good WR and manufacture a RB group. So, yeah...I think drafting your RB studs on draft day is waaaay overrated.

 

[shadyridr]

All I know is WR is the LEAST important position. I have a team with Nicks, Wallace, Roddy, & Jordy. The first 3 guys were all drafted in the first 3 rds of most drafts. Meanwhile they have been outscored at NUMEROUS times and in some cases on the whole season by guys like Cruz, Brown, & Julio. All of those guys except Jones went undrafted in most leagues. Meanwhile a guy I picked up in the 13th rd (Jordy) has outscored Jennings on numerous occasions. WR is just complete cluster####. Just grab guys in good passing offenses and see what sticks

 

[David Yudkin]

This year, more than any other year... I noticed that the most dominant teams were the ones that had a stud QB - TE combo. Any team that had Rodgers- Brady - Brees- Newton and also had Gronk or Graham was hard to beat.

I have a team that most likely will end the regular season 15-1. I have had no one to speak of at QB due to injuries (IIRC, I have played Cutler, Schaub, Young, Moore, Orton, Palmer, and probably one or two others) and have alternated Winslow and Gresham at TE. Maybe I am the exception, but I certainly stayed way away from the strategy you just outlined.

 

[fruity pebbles]

I think the stud RB has increased in value as of late. The way the NFL is more of a passing league, there are a ton of good WRs out there. Some teams have 3 and even 4 startable guys. Tight end is getting to be the same way. There used to be Gates and everyone else. Then there were 3-5 good options. Now there are a dozen top tight end options. The true stud RB, who is involved in the pass game and scores TDs, is a rarity. There arent many of them and most leagues still require you to start 2 RBs.

 

[cubbie5150]

I made the playoffs in a 12 team redraft (6 pts ANY TD; 1 PPR for TE (who are not mandatory, but 2 FLEX spots); .5 PPR for other positions), but , riding the backs of Brady/Megatron/Steve Smith. My RBs are Wells/McGahee/Greene/DWill....I hardly ever start the right ones. I rode through the first half of the season due to Brady/Megatron/Smiff/Hernandez, but the latter 3 especially have been so underwhelming, I skidded to a halt towards the end of the regular season. Assuming my inability to start the correct RBs continues, I totally expect to get bounced week 15 since Smiff is @ Hous & Brady/Hernandez are at Denver. I'd say in my case, the lack of stud/dependable RBs is gonna be my undoing.

 

[The High Priest]

2 keeper league( rice /CJ1) when I draft I like to get 1 top 5 Rb(rice this year) and then I load up on WRs (cj1, nicks, bolden) then I find a TE just outside the top 5 (gronk) and I get a qb later(E. Manning) then I scour thru the year for good p/u (cruz) and I ended up 11-3 now we are a IDP league too so it helps when people are grabbing them also. I have one 2 times in the last 10 years usally in playoffs but last 2 yeas stunlk it up sooo...it just kinda depends on luck of scheduling in the end and injurys/performance(gromk especially)

 

[BigDave]

I'm in a 10 team league that starts 1QB,2RB,2WR,1Flex,K & defense.

I place a high value on RB's and typically use one as my flex.

I drafted AP/Gore/Lynch/McGahee/R.Bush. Ended up trading Lynch/McGahee and added CJ2K and Mathews in various trades.

I also added DeMarco and M. Bush, dropping Reggie. Both have helped me through injuries etc..

Finished first with a bye.

I sacrificed at QB with Schaub and he got hurt, so I traded McGahee for Rothlesburger and he's hurt.

WR's are Welker and Fitzgerald and various others(Brown and Harvin right now)

I would say that RB's are still King and much needed to succeed in FF. However, a Great QB and top WR/TE combo is a viable route. I play the guy with Brady/Gronk this week so we'll hope he has an average day this week

 

[Sweet Love]

I am 10-4 in a 12 team PPR. First place.

I have Gronk, Stafford, Calvin, AJ Green, Lloyd and Holmes as my flex. I even have guys like Doucet and Nelson on my bench (one start total between the three)

My RBs are McGahee, Kevin Smith, Stewart, Hillis (who has barely ever started) and Battle. I lost Hightower.

Reality is, in PPR, you can make up for a poor RB group. In non-PPR, I would be dead in the water...simple as that. Last year, I went heavy on WR and ended up with Charles (4th) and McFadden (8/9th) and Hillis (last round). I tore through the league and a couple of my WRs did not pan out. I don't know how things will work this year, but I felt a lot better with Hillis as my flex than Santonio or Stewart...that much is for sure.

 

[ShaHBucks]

This year, more than any other year... I noticed that the most dominant teams were the ones that had a stud QB - TE combo. Any team that had Rodgers- Brady - Brees- Newton and also had Gronk or Graham was hard to beat.

This

 

[footballnerd]

This year, more than any other year... I noticed that the most dominant teams were the ones that had a stud QB - TE combo. Any team that had Rodgers- Brady - Brees- Newton and also had Gronk or Graham was hard to beat.

This

Do not interpret this as going QB TE in your first two picks, you'll be hurting

 

[bonesman]

Value is king and Every position is important

That's what's up.There's no positional draft formula for success. The earliest I took a RB2 this year was the 4th rnd and it was that "turd" Ingram. Only took a RB in the 1st once (Rice, 3rd overall). BTW, I made the playoffs in every league I'm in and on to the 2nd round in one and in a 2 week championship game in another.

 

[footballnerd]

Value is king and Every position is important

That's what's up.There's no positional draft formula for success. The earliest I took a RB2 this year was the 4th rnd and it was that "turd" Ingram. Only took a RB in the 1st once (Rice, 3rd overall). BTW, I made the playoffs in every league I'm in and on to the 2nd round in one and in a 2 week championship game in another.

I know you took some WRs tho right? I went WR with my first 3 picks and turned out pretty good with F.Jax in the 6th. I think depth is damn solid to survive injuries when you at least go WR or RB with 5 of your first 6.

 

[kegger]

I've been on the RB train forever.

But I do agree it is changing, and the STUB QB say top 6 or so goes

a long way, and to me is more consistent then the RB side is as well.

So on draft day if there is a Rogers, or Brees or Brady there I'm not

looking elsewhere I'm taking one of those guy's next year easily.

But it also depends on your scoring system, the 3 leagues I'm in the QB

scores higher then any other position by a 1/3 more then any other does.

(Rogers actually is double any other positions top producer)

 

[bonesman]

Value is king and Every position is important

That's what's up.There's no positional draft formula for success. The earliest I took a RB2 this year was the 4th rnd and it was that "turd" Ingram. Only took a RB in the 1st once (Rice, 3rd overall). BTW, I made the playoffs in every league I'm in and on to the 2nd round in one and in a 2 week championship game in another.

I know you took some WRs tho right? I went WR with my first 3 picks and turned out pretty good with F.Jax in the 6th. I think depth is damn solid to survive injuries when you at least go WR or RB with 5 of your first 6.

Yup, loaded at WR in just about every league. In 2 I have the flexibility to run 4 wide and only start one RB which I do fairly often. The two I can do that in are PPR, but twice as much for WRs than RBs(.25/.5 in one and .5/1 in another)... so maybe that's why I see RBs not being of particularity more significant value than other positions. But I also drafted McGahee is just about every league after the 10th rnd sometime, so I've had a pretty solid RB2 as my RB3 too.

 

[Tchula]

IMO it's about lucking out on the RB's that don't get injured.

 

[The Jerk]

Remember all the talk about the reverse draft strategy during draft time this year? I bet this is the last time people practice that strategy.

Why? Based on ADP (non-PPR), the top 5 backs on draft day are currently, in order, among RBs only:7, 4, 2, 14, 90Two as expected, one slightly lower, one significantly lower, one diaster.Backs 6-10:1, 19, 3, 8, 30Two above expectations, one at expectations, two significantly lower.Backs 11-15:13, 18, 6, 49, 25One above expectations, two slightly lower, one disaster.Backs 16-20:27, 33, 43, 34, 15One above expectations, four slightly to significantly lowerAs always, it depends on who you draft, not necessarily when. I'm sure examples abound of upside-downers who struggled, but the RB position was again full of potential late-draft successes:Fred Jackson, still 5th, although not helping at all in the FF playoffsRyan Mathews, 9thMarshawn Lynch, 10thMichael Bush, 11thBeanie Wells, 12thDarren Sproles, 16thReggie Bush, 17thAnd the following RBs are all 20th-29th:McGahee, Benson, Tolbert, Murray, BJGE, J.Stewart, Jacobs, Tate

I won't argue that it's important to have good RB's or downplay their importance. Having said that, go look at the drafted players in the first and second round, and I think you'll find a whole bunch of RB's that fizzled out due to injury. That's why I won't put a premium on drafting a stud RB, because you can load up and pickup good RB's later in the draft, without spending a fortune on guys who won't be in your lineup all season long. RB's take too much punishment and RBBC's limit their value anyway. There are only a few yearlong stud RB's to be had, and the chances you get a dud in the first two rounds picking a RB is too rich for my blood. I'd much rather take my stud QB and a good WR and manufacture a RB group. So, yeah...I think drafting your RB studs on draft day is waaaay overrated.

Love the post. If I had a 75-85% chance of getting a top 3-5 RB by taking one in the first round, I'd be thrilled to do so. Of course the FF teams with good RBs are doing well. The problem is that it is not just as simple as drafting two RBs early and you're good to go.Chances are if you had left your draft with Charles, Mendenhall and McFadden, and posted in the Shark Pool in early September, people would be mocking you for playing in a four team league. However, your team would almost certainly be toast.

Value is king and Every position is important

That's what's up.There's no positional draft formula for success. The earliest I took a RB2 this year was the 4th rnd and it was that "turd" Ingram. Only took a RB in the 1st once (Rice, 3rd overall). BTW, I made the playoffs in every league I'm in and on to the 2nd round in one and in a 2 week championship game in another.

It bears being restated. There is no formula for success. If you can find at least one good RB late, the upside-down draft can be a roaring success. But so can good old stud RB if you find the classic late QB and value WRs later in your draft.

 

[[icon]]

This year, more than any other year... I noticed that the most dominant teams were the ones that had a stud QB - TE combo. Any team that had Rodgers- Brady - Brees- Newton and also had Gronk or Graham was hard to beat.

I have a team that most likely will end the regular season 15-1. I have had no one to speak of at QB due to injuries (IIRC, I have played Cutler, Schaub, Young, Moore, Orton, Palmer, and probably one or two others) and have alternated Winslow and Gresham at TE. Maybe I am the exception, but I certainly stayed way away from the strategy you just outlined.

I've been starting Sanchez all year in a 16 team league and I clinched the #1 seed with a week to go.

 

[Grady Wilson]

Depends, but I don't think it's near the necessity it used to be. I'm 11-3 going into the playoffs and have been without McFadden for weeks now. My starting RBs have been Reggie Bush and Stewart. My QBs have been the likes of Matt Moore, Rex Grossman, and Tim Tebow. Just goes to show that luck plays as much of a role in fantasy football than other things. I've been fortunate to have Welker and playing the right teams at the right time of the schedule.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Strayed from RB-RB-RB in my one league and protected Vick and drafted Nicks (to go along with McCoy). 3-10.

Went RB-RB-RB-RB in a league where I could start 4 RBs and was 9-4. Easier to catch up on the WR side. RB-side not so much.

-QG

 

[two_dollars]

This year, more than any other year... I noticed that the most dominant teams were the ones that had a stud QB - TE combo. Any team that had Rodgers- Brady - Brees- Newton and also had Gronk or Graham was hard to beat.

This

Do not interpret this as going QB TE in your first two picks, you'll be hurting

Rodgers or Newton, then Gronk or Graham would be a solid start to any draft. WR/RB for the next 7 rounds.

 

[faulkfan]

My team is in my sig and it has done very well, but I am hoping to trade some of my WRs and a RB for McCoy in the off season so I can go back to a standard offense.

 

[Topes]

I've come to the conclusion that RBs are still far and away the most important position in fantasy football with QBs coming in 2nd (even in a 4 point per throwing TD league).

Shhhhhhhh...You'll blow the whole deal...