Fantasy Football Draft Strategy & Advice: What is Robust RB?

The Robust RB strategy had evolved as one of the popular draft strategies fantasy managers have been employing over the years. Let’s dig right into what this strategy means and how you might go about deploying it in your own fantasy leagues.

What is the Robust RB Strategy?

The Robust RB strategy is about prioritizing running backs early and often in your draft. Essentially, this method involves filling your starting RB and flex positions with running backs before you even think about picking wide receivers, tight ends, or a quarterback.

Key Considerations

Supply and Demand

With a vast influx of receiving talents in recent times, WR1s are plentiful, making them available later in drafts. Conversely, elite RBs, especially those without timeshare concerns in their backfields, are a rarity.

Injuries

RBs generally face a higher risk of injuries. But, with this strategy, you’re not banking on just one or two RBs; instead, you have multiple top-tier RBs that could lead your team even if one faces an injury.

Volatility

It’s crucial to understand that this strategy has its highs and lows. For every story of a dominating Robust RB team, there’s another where early-round RBs underperformed or faced injuries.

Three Advanced Strategies

Avoiding the RB Dead Zone

This refers to a range in the draft where the RBs available might not offer as much value as WRs. It’s essential to be aware of this and not just blindly pick RBs if they aren’t worth the pick at that stage.

Best Ball Considerations

For best ball formats, after picking your early RBs, it’s wise not to overload further on the position. You’ve already allocated significant draft capital to RBs, so pivot to fill your roster with primarily WRs.

Understanding PPR Nuances

In PPR leagues, pass-catchers naturally have a slightly higher value. While the Robust RB strategy mainly focuses on running backs, understanding when to pivot and grab a high-volume pass-catching back or a top-tier WR is crucial to ensure roster balance.

To wrap up, the Robust RB strategy, like all strategies, requires a mix of research, an understanding of the current player landscape, and a pinch of luck. Remember, every draft is different, so being flexible and adapting to the draft flow is just as essential as entering with a game plan.