Prep for the Playoffs With #AllBenchRB

November 21, 2018

Brett Mitchell reminds us how valuable running backs are to the success of any fantasy football franchise with his AllBenchRB strategy. Fantasy owners should add high-upside backup RBs to the bench before the playoff stretch.

What’s up RotoBallers? I’m back to remind you of a topic that happens to be relevant each and every week and that is a strategy I’ve coined #AllBenchRB.

I’ll give you a quick reminder of the strategy and then get to what we all care about - how to apply the strategy to your roster now and throughout the rest of the season.

If you have a playoff spot secured or feel you have a strong chance to be a contender this season in redraft leagues, play it smart and stock your bench the right way. Allow me to explain...

#AllBenchRB

All Bench RB is a strategy where you fill all of your bench spots with running backs. And if you can’t fill all of your spots, you fill as many as you can. If you’ve read some of my older articles you can get a more thorough understanding of why this is an effective strategy, but let me give you the basics:

• Running back is the most volatile position in football. Half the teams in the NFL have had their lead backs affected for part of all of the 2018 season and that will continue.
• Running back is a scarce position. Simply put, there are more starters at WR and less roster spots to start at TE. Add injuries to that and you have scarcity.
• With the development of the RBBC, there are more viable running backs than ever before. Many teams put forth multiple fantasy-relevant running backs each week.
• Predictability of opportunity. It is far easier to predict the opportunity of an RB who is replacing a lead back than that of a wide receiver competing for targets. The chance of a running back emerging and being a season-changer is much higher than that of a wide receiver or tight end.

How to Implement #AllBenchRB

Add the following types of running backs for a chance at hitting on a lottery ticket:

(1) Handcuffs – Running backs get hurt. Look at the handcuffs for the teams that primarily use one all-purpose running back. Imagine having Spencer Ware if Kareem Hunt goes down. Add these lotto tickets for some major stimulus to your lineup if someone goes down:

• Spencer Ware
• Malcolm Brown
• Jaylen Samuels
• Chase Edmonds
• Rod Smith

(2) Satellite/3^rd Down Plus – Running backs that are already getting some work and could take over all-purpose duties if the lead back were to go down:

• Austin Ekeler
• Frank Gore/Kenyan Drake,
• LeGarrette Blount/Theo Riddick
• Duke Johnson
• Gus Edwards
• Elijah McGuire
• Jalen Richard
• Royce Freeman
• Derrick Henry
• Chris Ivory
• Giovani Bernard

(3) Fringe Relevance – Running backs with pathways to relevance. This could be running backs who have seen increased snap counts. This could be the third running back on the depth chart. These aren’t going to always be attractive players. To mitigate some of the ugliness, I prefer to look at running backs that have flashed success and/or are athletic. Again, some of these dudes are ugly but they just might win you a playoff game or two.

• Corey Clement/Wendell Smallwood
• Mike Davis
• Ito Smith
• Jamaal Williams
• Jacquizz Rodgers
• Devontae Booker
• D'Onta Foreman/Alfred Blue
• Nyheim Hines/Jordan Wilkins
• Deandre Washington
• Kapri Bibbs
• Mark Walton
• Carlos Hyde
• Ty Montgomery

One Sneaky Tip

I’ll give you a quick tip before recapping. Pick up guys before Thursday night and Monday night games to place on your bench just in case there is an injury. Then drop these players after their respective games, given your league doesn’t lock bench players. This is especially sneaky for Thursday night games. Imagine owning three different running backs in one bench spot on a given weekend to increase your chances of capitalizing on an injury. Shout out to my boy Douk who loves this move.

To recap, fill your bench with running backs carrying upside rather than unpredictable low-end wide receivers. Think of all the players that could have already won you games! Aaron Jones, T.J. Yeldon, Phillip Lindsay, Gio Bernard and Nick Chubb... Do it! JUST DO IT!

Your Fantasy Strategy RotoBaller,
@BrettMitchellFB

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