This article will explore the newest twist for fantasy football owners - the running back by committee (RBBC). In the past, most NFL teams have had one feature back who received approximately 30 carries a game. The thinking was that a runner needed that many carries to establish a rhythm and run effectively. Today's game has changed. The RBBC situation is now so common almost all teams utilize it. The thinking is that the RBBC allows backs to stay fresh. In addition, the RBBC is often implemented with a bruising power back and a quick scat back runner; a combination intended to keep the opposing defense off balance by switching up running styles.
What does this mean for fantasy football? In past years, fantasy football was completely dominated by the running back position. A good RB was a lock to touch the ball multiple times a game as well as to score more TDs than every other position. With the RBBC, that is no longer true. So what is one to do? Is it best to draft the entire committee or spread your RBs around in hopes that you draft two high performers? Lets explore the options:
The Home Run Strategy - Draft the Best RBs Regardless of RBBC Scenario
PROS : If you do not have to deal with injuries great, you have an excellent shot to win your league. You will have the most valuable player in the RBBC from different teams.
CONS: While you may have come into the season with the best RB on two different teams, if one goes down to injury you can quickly find yourself in a tough situation.
The Anti-Wall Street Risk Adverse Strategy
PROS: Here you try to draft an entire team's committee. If one of the players gets hurt you instantly have a feature back.
CONS: If there is not an injury you are stuck with part time production from two players for the season.
The Ace Rothstein Strategy - The Educated Bettor
PROS: This strategy says you draft players who are second in the committee, but play alongside another player with a history of injury. Ideally you would be to try to get one feature back and pair him with a number of #2's who have a realistic chance to step in at some point in the season.
CONS: The risk here is that the #2, never becomes a #1.
Like investing, the strategy you choose to employ should be based on your level of comfort with risk. We recommend the Ace Rothstein theory, as the #2 that becomes a #1 is often the breakout story of the year come playoff time.
Having fully explored the RBBC situation there are still a few old school running backs who dominate carries and do not need to worry about having carries or even worse goal carries stolen.
non RBBC RBs
All-Day AP
Turner the Burner
MJD
Matt Forte
S.Jackson
C.Portis
K.Smith
R.Grant
The other 24 NFL teams use some form of the RBBC. To summarize, following the Ace Rothstein theory we would target one of the eight backs listed above, then go after a WR and QB and finally look to pair your RB with a number of second string RBBC backs who run alongside an injury risk.
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