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Before you go RB-RB to start your fantasy draft, consider this warning

Something happened last season that hasn't happen since 2011 or earlier. It's a statistical outlier disguised as a new norm.

In the world of fantasy football, taking two running backs in the first two rounds of your draft has become a common strategy. However, the decision may not be as foolproof as it once was. Last season, something unusual occurred that hasn't happened since 2011 or before. The top-10 running backs in terms of average draft position (ADP) collectively missed just four games all season, accounting for only 2% of their team's contests.

This was an extraordinary level of durability compared to the previous 14 seasons, where the top-10 RBs had missed an average of 19% of their games.

The rarity of this occurrence last year led to most of the top RBs performing exceptionally well in fantasy leagues. As a result, many of them have regained their positions in the top 10 ADP, which is both unsurprising and concerning. The concerns stem from several factors, including Christian McCaffrey's high injury and regression risks, Saquon Barkley's advancing age and high-end handcuff status, and Jonathan Taylor's extensive injury history, which many managers seem to have forgotten after last year's MVP-level performance.

It's important to note that not all running backs are created equal when it comes to safety. However, collectively, last season's experience suggests that managers should expect this year's top 10 running backs to miss at least 15% of their games. Therefore, if you're considering taking two running backs at the start of your draft, it's crucial to carefully evaluate the risks involved.

For a more in-depth analysis of the potential risks associated with this strategy, consider listening to this recent podcast episode. This article was originally published on Touchdown Wire, titled "Before you go RB-RB to start your fantasy draft, consider this warning."

Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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