“Days of the Offseason” Day 6: Start-up Strategies Part 3 of 3

Many fantasy football players use early draft capital towards a running back, but with this strategy, that may not be your best bet in your dynasty league.

 

If you’ve missed Part 2 of my Dynasty Start-up Strategies, you can find that here.

Fantasy Football dynasty start-ups are in full swing this time of year, and it’s important to understand the league market as soon as possible.

This strategy isn’t going to be the prettiest, and probably won’t win you the championship in your inaugural year. This strategy offers long-term security alongside value well beyond 2021.

This strategy is called ‘the Punt’. Punting is another word for fading, or going without. I’m sure you’ve heard of leaguemates doing this when going with ‘zero RB’ or ‘zero WR’ strategies. Punting RB never seems to be the smartest decision with how scarce the position is depth wise, but can actually bring you stability long-term.

Running backs’ values are so volatile. They get one injury or three bad weeks and their values plummet. Punting RB early and leaving the studs for the rest of your league will prove beneficial over a long time period, but will affect your outcome in 2021.

This strategy requires patience. You’re grabbing stud WRs and a QB, then running for youth. I’m not a zero RB truther in redraft, but I am in dynasty startups as their values get overinflated. Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, CMC, and Derrick Henry are all really good RBs, but don’t hold much long-term value. RBs values can plummet at the first sign of distress, while WRs and QBs have a bit more flexibility. The NFL shelf life for WRs/QBs is much much longer than those of a RB.

Yes, all those RBs mentioned can absolutely have RB1 seasons in 2021; and they probably will. But one injury (or a bad season) to any of them and you’ve lost your 2nd-round investment. There isn’t any leeway for RBs in today’s game. If you bank on those RBs to carry your team’s value long-term, it isn’t the safest route.

With guys like Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, and Javonte Williams heading into the league this year, you can punt RB the first five rounds and still find yourself drafting the 1.04-1.07 in rookie drafts; landing you any one of these players at a great value.

Now, having stud WRs adds stable value to your fantasy football team. It gives you time to find that RB or two to lead your team without using high draft capital to do so. Personally I’ve already done this, selling all of my Cook and Kamara shares. While it hurt, it had to be done. I’ve won championships because of those two, but their long-term value is still very questionable. I had no option but sell them at peak value.

Fading those highly regarded, and early drafted RBs in your fantasy football start-up for security blankets helps you establish a long term plan, while still holding a significant amount of value. With their volatile values and shaky shelf life, it’s hard to invest a 1st-round startup capital on a RB 25 or older.

As always, leave your thoughts and comments!