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Running backs ranked 40 thru 80 is money time for the fantasy managers looking to employ the RB Zero, RB Hero, or Wide Net approach to the position. If you can hit on a player or two from this group, they can improve your fantasy fortunes. Knowledge is the key. Not all third-string running backs are created equal. Good fantasy managers will know which backups are high-upside youngsters and which backups are aging veterans in the din of their NFL career. I recommend readers pay less attention to the rank of the players in this group, and more to their story, as the rankings from this group can be capricious. Pick out a dozen or so that you like, and make a point to get some of them.

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Good dynasty football managers will tell you that a working knowledge of NFL runningback depth charts is essential. Many NFL teams like to stash one high potential player either on their practice squad, or 3rd on the depth chart. This player typically has a chance to be 3 down explosive runner if they can overcome the issues that have put them in the position to be buried on the depth chart. Some have significant fumbling problems, others cannot pick up a blitz, and another common dilemma is lack of maturity. I like to fill my roster with these players. I do not have to invest much to acquire them and they could pay huge dividends. If they do not work out, just drop them and pick up the next one. Here are a few that I am looking to acquire (or already have).

Roster Percentages from Fantrax 10/4/2021.

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Last week I detailed the first round of the industry dynasty best ball draft we hosted here at Razzball. There were a diverse array of strategies on display in this matchup of fantasy football titans and Donkey Teeth. You can view the entire draft board here. Jake Ciely was making draft pick trades like Kevin Costner in Draft Day, as he put together a team packed full of youth. On the other hand Scott Pianowski attempted to assemble the oldest dynasty team in history, but was foiled when his friend Andy Behrens sniped Adrian Peterson in the 26th round. One of the most titillating aspects to analyze in any startup dynasty league is where the incoming rookie class goes off the board. But first, let’s take a look at which of our competing analysts selected the most and least rookies in this draft:

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AlfredJF aka Boof has come back for another Razzball Fantasy Football Podcast with B_Don and Donkey Teeth to go over his recent Pre-Draft Top 10 Rookie RBs article. B_Don and Boof go through their usual film vs numbers discussion to give you both points of view on the eve of the NFL draft. We start at the top with Najee Harris, Javonte Williams, and Travis Etienne, then the guys diverge in their rankings from there. Come listen and find out how the rest of the top 10 breaks out for the guys. 

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Hello all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year – NFL draft season. I have put together my top 10 running backs for you using a combination of production metrics and film.

Without getting too technical, my process heavily weighs volume for running backs. It has been shown that usage in college projects usage in the pros (with the occasional exception). Other college production metrics come into play, for example, efficiency AND volume is better than volume alone and of course projected draft capital has to be considered. Finally, the last step is to turn on the tape and see what traits jump out and how they convert their skills into the production that the stats show.

This list reflects who I would prefer in a vacuum on talent alone. Landing spot is a bigger consideration for me at the running back position than it is for quarterbacks or receivers. So, there will be a higher likelihood of shuffling post draft on this list compared to other positions. Still, I think we should pick players mostly on talent first and the other factors are more like tie-breakers rather than a major consideration. All metrics come from the campus2canton.com data app and athletic testing from mockdraftable.com.

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Now that the 2020 fantasy football playoffs are upon us, my job overseeing the rest of season top 60 running back rankings here at Razzball are as through as the chances of Carson Wentz inviting Doug Pederson to this week’s Bible study. Last week, I put a bow on that project with one final, playoff edition of the top backs to target for those still in hot pursuit of a fantasy championship. Friends, we’ve come a long, long way from the initial set of rankings I constructed in the preseason edition, when I was young and naïve and my only prior experience with Reddit commenters was through the illegal streaming of countless sporting events. But now, since there are truly only two weeks of fantasy football remaining, my job is done. Instead, for those looking for rankings to use the next couple weeks, look to Donkey Teeth & Co. for further insight. All season long, Razzball’s Donkey Teeth and MB have been providing excellent work as always with their weekly fantasy football rankings. That’s the place to go for any and all remaining decisions. As for me, my final fantasy football post for 2020 will look ahead to 2021. Who is an early favorite for that first overall pick in drafts? Which 2020 rookie backs have put themselves in the conversation for a first round pick? And hey, how about the incoming 2021 rookie class? Any early-round selection potential there? You already know I want me some Najee Harris the same way I wanted to be in bed with Dobbins the Take-it-to-the-House Elf all season long. But first, before you all take your Sunday wizardry robes off,  I’d like to take a few moments to reflect briefly on what we observed in 2020 (in lieu of a trip around the league), and how maybe we can use it as a learning experience to improve as fantasy owners in the years ahead.

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While I have your attention, why don’t you check out our new YouTube show Fantasy Football Malpractice. A fresh new episode 5 dropped last week! If you like what you see then subscribe for more!

Welcome to the master list of my devy prospects for single QB leagues! This installment will be players ranked 21-40. Check out the top 20 here.

For those new to devy: in a “devy” league, short for developmental, managers can select players who are still in college (or high school) and stash them on a separate, inactive roster until they are drafted into the NFL. In this format, the player values can be all over the place and each manager’s process for player evaluation becomes of utmost importance. 

I have previously released articles with my position-specific rankings which describe in more detail my process and what I look for when ranking devy prospects. Check those out here: QBRBWR, and TE

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While we are all cooped up, I thought it would be a fun idea to get some of the awesome fantasy football writers I’ve met this past season in a league with a few of my choice competitors from home leagues. The basics of the league are: 12 team, superflex, PPR format with a few additional scoring wrinkles such as a quarter point-per-first-down, TE premium, some yardage bonuses and a little negative for QB sacks. Senior editor Razzball_MB wrote a nice review of the pro draft in an article earlier this week. SPOILER: He likes my team in year 1. DOUBLE SPOILER: We may not have a year 1… but, I digress.

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Since you’re quarantined and I have your undivided attention, let’s talk about some college running backs that appear to have what it takes to make an impact on your devy roster. In a “devy” league, short for developmental, managers can select players who are still in college (or high school) and stash them on a separate, inactive roster until they are drafted into the NFL.

For the devy manager, there is truly no offseason as we must take the months with no NFL to update our devy ranks and prepare to dig deep and draft some unknown lottery tickets hoping that you can pick up the next Jonathan Taylor or CeeDee Lamb before your league mates even know their name.

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