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Good running backs are the key to a successful fantasy football team. But drafting running backs early is no longer a sure thing and is actually becoming a bad idea.
Through nine weeks, Falcons running back Devonta Freeman has been the best fantasy running back and it hasn't even been close with 170 points in ESPN fantasy leagues. And yet, prior to the season, the average draft saw 39 other running backs drafted before Freeman. Meanwhile, the top 20 fantasy running backs prior to the season have scored 70.2 points on average.
The chart below is a look at the top 50 running backs prior to the season and how many points they have scored so far this season. Ideally, the dots on the left (the first running backs drafted) should be the highest dots (more points) and the dots on the right (late-round picks) should be lower. But there is no pattern at all. You were just as likely to get a good running back late in the draft.
In other words, drafting a running back is a complete crap shoot.
Cork Gaines/Business Insider