The 1 question asked before any fantasy football draft is Should I Draft A Running Back In The First Round? The answer is yes, yes and yes. Generally, conventional wisdom is that taking a running back in the first round is the safest option and most valuable pick since true No. 1 running backs and running back depth is hard to come by in fantasy drafts. Running backs are the best performers for a fantasy football team for a variety of reasons.

1. Points – Know your league scoring system.The whole story can be found at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/660101-2011-nfl-draft-top-rookies-that-will-help-your-fantasy-football-team-offense Most fantasy football leagues are set up so that running backs have the easiest chance to score points by either touchdown or rushing yards. Running backs that catch well, can also gain points for receiving yards or, in some leagues, per reception. No other position has access to scoring points in so many ways.
2. Multiple starters – This is simple. Most fantasy football leagues have you starting two running backs. Wide receivers are the only position that have more starting slots allowed. However, wide receivers usually don’t have the ability to score as many points per player.
3. Flex Position – Depending on the league there are one or two slots for a flex player which can be a player from any position, so why not use a running back who can gain the most points?

There are some draft strategies that will tell you to draft running backs until your eyes bleed, but there is not always a need to do that. The wisest fantasy football draft strategy is to begin with a running back in the first round to secure a stud in that position and then compare running backs to other positions in the draft after that. There is a reason that most people through the years have started their draft with a running back in the first round. It makes sense.