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Fantasy Football Draft Strategy 2016: Latest Mock Draft, Analysis and Tips
- Updated: August 24, 2016
Running backs are far from dead in the first round of fantasy football drafts.
Some might think the onset of the committee on the field means it’s wideout-or-bust in the first round of fantasy drafts, but that’s false. Few traditional workhorses such as Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings remain, but the definition of “workhorse” has changed in dramatic fashion.
Now, barring the two rare traditional workhorses, it’s all about backs who can catch passes out of the backfield and barely come off the field at all.
This sort of change in the fantasy landscape is reflected in the mock draft below, based on a standard 12-team league:
Said traditional workhorses who must come off the board in the first round are Peterson and Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams.
Peterson ranked second in scoring among backs last year with 217 points thanks to 327 carries for 1,485 yards and 11 scores. Gurley was fifth with 229 points, rushing for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons is the top example of a versatile do-it-all back these days. He was the top-scoring back last year with 230 points thanks to his 265 rushes for 1,056 yards and 11 scores, as well as his 73 catches for 578 yards and three scores through the air.
For those who doubt Freeman for one reason or another, he’s already hard at work changing minds this preseason, as radio host Jayson Braddock illustrated:
Its become apparent after 2 preseason games that I have undervalued Devonta Freeman in fantasy this year. Trust his line. Adjust accordingly
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) August 19, 2016
Close behind Freeman in this regard is David Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals. Even mired in a committee approach, Johnson ranked two spots behind Gurley thanks to 125 carries for 581 yards …
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