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Two RB? Or not two RB?

That is the question. And a few answers from the authors of
It’s the same every year: 12 of the top 15 picks in your fantasy draft are the Fantasy Football Owner’s Manual blog.
running backs, with the exception of the lone Peyton/Brady fan and the con- 1 Who’s No. 5? (After the Big 4 of
trarian who picks two receivers with his bookend picks at the end of Round Chris Johnson, AP, MJD and Ray Rice)

1. (You know who you are.) Reid Creager: Frank Gore. He’s a threat
running and catching; the team figures to
This year, with more NFL running back platoons be better offensively; and the offensive
than ever, even more fantasy owners will be contem- line is improved.
Eric Edwards: Andre Johnson.
plating the possibility of heading into Round 3 with Assuming some sort of points per recep-
the adequate yet uninspiring foundation of Frank tion he’s the top hands this year.
Gore and Shonn Greene. Trevor Freeze: Michael Turner R.
Except for this: You shouldn’t. R. Trentham Roberts: Drew Brees. (I’m
in a league where QBs go way too early.)
Take away the top four running backs — Tennessee’s Peter St. Onge: Aaron Rodgers. I want
Chris Johnson, Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, Once you get past the top the No. 1 QB instead of the No. 5 RB.
Baltimore’s Ray Rice and Jacksonville’s Maurice four rushers, it’s time to
turn your eye to a top 2 What’s your Golden Drafting Rule?
Jones-Drew — and you’re left with 10 to 12 guys receiver like Andre Johnson. R.C.: You can never have too much depth
who will likely finish this season with similar num- at running
back.
bers. Want to win your fantasy league? Let others get mired in middling RBs. E.E.:
At quarterback, there are five elite possibilities before a likely drop-off in num- Never draft
bers. At wide receiver, there are four who separate themselves from the pack. Patriots
running
The best fantasy play? It’s grabbing as many elite players as early as you can — backs.
including one strong RB — then loading up on running back platoons with the T.F.: Draft
two of the
assurance that injuries and performance will produce some true starters later. top 5 WR
When that happens, your small risk in August will make you a happy (and you Patriots RB Kevin Faulk
have is taken down.
owner in December. — Peter St. Onge, McClatchy Newspapers
instant trade bait all year).
R.T.R.: Don’t sweat your No. 3 WR.
1. Chris Johnson, Tenn. 5. Michael Turner, Atl. 9. DeAngelo Williams, Car. P.S.O.: Don’t mess with rookie WRs.
2. Adrian Peterson, Minn. 6. Steven Jackson, Stl. 10. Ryan Grant, GB
3. Ray Rice, Balt. 7. Frank Gore, SF 11. Rashard Mendenhall, Pitt. 3 Which No. 2 platoon running back
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac. 8. Shonn Greene, NYJ 12. Beanie Wells, Ari. will be a No. 1 by season’s end?
R.C.: Donald Brown, Ind.
▼

Overrated: DeAngelo Underrated: Justin Late-round flier:

Williams, Car.: Jonathan
Stewart, poor Panthers D
will conspire to limit his
carries.
Forsett, Sea.: If he can
take the bruising, there’s
no timeshare holding him
back this year.
1. Aaron Rodgers, GB
2. Drew Brees, NO
3. Tom Brady, NE
4. Matt Schaub, Hou.
5. Peyton Manning, Ind.
6. Philip Rivers, SD
▼
Marshawn Lynch, Buff.:
Currently buried on the
Bills depth chart. Will end
up somewhere else, with
more opportunity.
7. Joe Flacco, Balt.
8. Tony Romo, Dal.
9. Donovan McNabb, Wash.
10. Jay Cutler, Chi.
11. Eli Manning, NYG
12. Matt Ryan, Atl.
E.E.: Beanie Wells, Ari.
T.F.: Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG
R.T.R.: Felix Jones, Dal.
P.S.O.: Thomas Jones, KC
4 Who are your Poison Players — high
draft picks who chronically disappoint?
R.C.: Carson Palmer
E.E.: Laurence
Maroney, Marshawn
Lynch, Eli Manning
T.F.: Frank Gore,
Carson Palmer,

Overrated: Kevin Kolb, Underrated: Matt Late-round flier: Matthew Brandon Jacobs
Phi.: 130 total NFL pass- Schaub, Hou.: Draft a Stafford, Det.: Will have
R.T.R.: Roy Williams,
es, few weapons to work good backup for the more time to throw, fewer
Kellen Winslow and any
with, and he’s among the inevitable ding. But other- games in which he has to. Palmer
Detroit running back
top 10 QBs drafted? wise, he’s elite. A big step forward.
P.S.O.: Steve Smith, the Panther

1. Andre Johnson, Hou. 5. Greg Jennings, GB 9. Miles Austin, Dal.

2. Randy Moss, NE
3. Calvin Johnson, Det.
4. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari.
6. Roddy White, Atl.
7. Brandon Marshall, Mia.
8. Reggie Wayne, Ind.
10. Sidney Rice, Minn.
11. Marques Colston, NO
12. DeSean Jackson, Phi.
▼
5 Who are the best three players
who will go undrafted?
R.C.: Donald Brown, Earl Bennett and
Ryan Leaf. (Two’s enough. My league has-
n’t drafted yet. Do your own work, guys.)

Overrated: Anquan Underrated: Hines Ward,
Boldin, Balt.: Someone Pitt.: He keeps catching
will overpay for the passes. Let others go
inevitable hamstring young and trendy.
pull.
1. Antonio Gates, SD
2. Dallas Clark, Ind.
3. Jermichael Finley, GB
4. Vernon Davis, SF
5. Jason Witten, Dal.
6. Tony Gonzalez, Atl.
Late-round flier: E.E.: Julian Edelman, Glen Coffee, Kevin
Devin Aromashodu, Boss
Chi.: Clicked with Cutler
T.F.: Chad Henne, Earl Bennett, James Jones
in late 2009.
R.T.R.: Larry Johnson, Mike Bell, Dexter
McCluster
P.S.O.: Eddie Royal, Dexter McCluster,
7. Brent Celek, Phi. Jermaine Gresham
8. John Carlson, Sea.
9. Greg Olsen, Chi. 6 Who’s the guy you just won’t draft
10. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minn. — for non-performance reasons?
11. Owen Daniels, Hou R.C.: Terrell Owens. Chad Johnson
12. Zach Miller, Oak. (that’s what his parents named him, and
that’s good enough for me). Tom Brady.
▼

Overrated: Kellen Underrated: Zach Miller, Late-round flier: Todd Steve Smith (Carolina) and any other end
Winslow, TB: One score Oak.: Jason Campbell will Heap, Balt.: A more zone clown. Any Pittsburgh Steeler.
in last 11 games, and he’s get him scores to go with potent offense brings new Anyone with an “e” in his name.
coming off knee surgery. his yardage. opportunity for old glory.
E.E.: Ronnie Brown — I have an irrational
mistrust of Miami’s running backs. Brown
1. Stephen Gostkowski, NE 7. David Akers, Phi. has been a top performer but I look at him
2. Nate Kaeding, SD 8. Matt Prater, Den. and for some reason I see a guy who is 5
3. Garrett Hartley, NO 9. Ryan Longwell, Minn. minutes from a career-ending injury.
4. Mason Crosby, GB 10. Jeff Reed, Pitt. T.F.: Aaron Rodgers. Falls under the No
5. Rob Bironas, Tenn. 11. Lawrence Tynes, NYG Packer Rule.
6. Jay Feely, Ari. 12. Robbie Gould, Chi. R.T.R.: Ben Roethlisberger. And that was
even before the latest episode.
1. N.Y. Jets 5. Pittsburgh 9. Cincinnati P.S.O.: I’ll draft anybody. I have no standards.
2. Minnesota 6. Philadelphia 10. N.Y. Giants Get answers to your fantasy football questions
3. Green Bay 7. San Francisco 11. Dallas from “Fantasy Football Owner’s Manual,” at
4. Baltimore 8. Denver 12. Miami http://ffownersmanual.blogspot.com.

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