If you’re in a league with standard lineups — regardless of what scoring format you’re paying in — you probably subscribe to a few key drafting principles. In 10- or 12-team leagues, you wait at quarterback and tight end — in a surprisingly deep class — and you pound the running back and wide receiver positions with your early picks.
This is not the only strategy, but it’s certainly a winning one. Depth is key and it’s important to grab as many potential value picks at running back and wide receiver as you can.
If you are using this plan, you likely find yourself in a bit of a dead zone after filling your starters at those two positions. When that sixth or seventh round arrives — between picks No. 60-84 overall — it makes sense to avoid settling on a safe choice and instead opt for the home-run pick. We’re looking for league-winners here, not players who will help us advance to the playoffs only to lose in the first round.
With the dearth of wide receivers at the top and the flip in ADP at the position, it’s now just as, if not easier, to find a potential home run pick at running back.
Today, we’re going to look at five players who make a lot more sense to draft than the other backs who share a similar ADP to them. The public has finally caught on to two of my elite home-run picks — Melvin Gordon and Jeremy Hill. Their ADPs have jumped several rounds over the past month. But don’t worry, there are more.
1. Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions
Abdullah was everyone’s preseason darling just a year ago after one big run against the Jets. He disappointed in his rookie season before tearing his labrum in December. Now, he’s a post-hype sleeper dripping with upside. A slow start to the 2016 offseason as he recovered from injury has helped keep his ADP low at No. 78 overall. Danny Woodhead, Isaiah Crowell and T.J. Yeldon are coming off the board right after him.
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