The general consensus around Fantasy Football seems to be that you have to draft a running back in the first three rounds. Not only do I think that's false, I would argue that if you have the sixth pick in a full PPR league you shouldn't draft a running back in the first three rounds. That's because Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are the only running backs I would take in the first six picks in that format, there is a good chance the Round 2 running backs are gone by the time you pick at 19, and I strongly prefer the Round 3 receivers over the Round 3 running backs.
As you'll see below, this does not mean you have to go Zero RB or forfeit the position. This is our 12-part, pick-by-pick series where me, Jamey Eisenberg, Dan Schneier, Dave Richard, and Jacob Gibbs all took part in a six-person mock draft. We each built two of the 12 teams in this 14-round draft to show you a different strategy from each spot.
As a reference point, all touchdowns in this league are worth six points, and we award one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving and one point for every 25 yards passing. We also award one point for every reception. We feature a starting lineup of QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, TE and FLEX (RB/WR/TE). 1.06 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks2.07 George Pickens, WR, Cowboys3.06 Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens4.07 D'Andre Swift, RB, Bears5.06 Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions6.07 Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers7.06 J.K.
Dobbins, RB, Broncos8.07 Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles9.06 DK Metcalf, WR, Steelers10.07 Woody Marks, RB, Texans11.06 Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers12.07 Tre Tucker, WR, Raiders13.06 Dylan Sampson, RB, Browns14.07 Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans In this draft the best running back available to me in Round 2 was Ashton Jeanty. That should probably be your expectation if you have the sixth pick, and you have to make a decision based on your read of Jeanty's health and your risk tolerance. I was thrilled to take Pickens there, who should be a top 10 receiver alongside CeeDee Lamb in Dallas.
I also rank Flowers as a WR1 for Fantasy, and believe if he has a positive touchdown season he has top five upside. With three receivers to start the draft it is time to hammer the running back position. I took three with my next four picks and two more in the double digit rounds.
I almost with I had taken one more, more on that later. Swift is not an RB1 in our rankings, but we expect him to perform like an RB1 whenever Kyle Monangai is out. Dobbins isn't an RB2 in our rankings, but I would expect him to perform like an RB2 for as long as he stays healthy.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
