The Importance Of Running Backs

Averages!

• Top 5 RB's= 264.58 RB's 5-10=195.08
• Point difference of 69.5 
• Top 12=221.88 13-24=163.1
• Point Difference of 58.78
  

• Top 5 WR=218.48 5-10=178.44
• Point Difference=40.04
• Top 12=192.15 Next 12=145.57
• Point Difference= 46.57
  

The numbers above display the bigger gap in talent at the RB postion compared to WR. There are many mid range wide receivers who can get you a healthy amount of points. Running backs are a more limited commodity. The 20^th ranked RB by predicted points is BenJarvus Green-Ellis at 171 fantasy points. The 1^st ranked runningback is Arian Foster at 305 points, 2^nd is Lesean McCoy at 266 points. If you are in a league with a flex I would recommend attempting to draft three starting runningbacks. Runningbacks who get a lot of carries and touchdowns put up more consistent numbers from week to week then secondary receivers. It is important to draft a runningback in the first two rounds. This is especially true in a 12 man league. In 12 men leagues runningbacks go extremely fast. I participated in three mock drafts recently. These are the runningbacks who were drafted in the first two rounds of twelve team mock drafts.

Running Backs Drafted In 1st and 2nd Round

Arian Foster

Ray Rice

LeSean McCoy

Darren Mcfadden

Chris Johnson

Matt Forte

Marshawn Lynch

DeMarco Murray

Adrian Peterson

Steven Jackson

Maurice Jones Drew

Jamal Charles

Fred Jackson

Ryan Mathews

You want atleast one of these runningbacks on your team. Even if you plan to use a WR in your flex spot, it is still of great importance to have atleast one good runningback. Matt Forte is predicted to put up 218 points. Shonn Greene is predicted to put up 171. The difference in having Matt Forte to Shonn Greene is much more significant then having Brandon Marshall 155 points compared to Wes Welker 136 points. It is much easier to find receivers who can fulfill your needs later in the draft then it is to find running backs.