by Chris Mooney

After many years of thinking that was the only way to go, I now say no.  I guess for one, it depends on where you fall in the draft order.  This year, I think there is really a lot of depth at the running back position.  The only draft position where I might feel more obligated to draft a running back with my first two picks might be if I were drafting towards the end simply because most people fall into the logic that they MUST pick two RB’s in the first and second rounds and if that happens, by the time it gets back to you at the end of the third round, there will be no RB’s left.

So what do you do if you draft at the beginning, you ask?

Last year I had the #2 pick in a league.  Knowing I was going to get a stud RB in either Larry Johnson or Ladainian Tomlinson, I was fortunate to get LT. 

So what happened coming back in the 2nd round? 

Well, true to conventional drafting strategy, most top tier RB’s were taken by the time it got back to me at the end of the second round and I found myself getting ready to do something I’d never done in probably 10 years, and that’s taking a QB with my 2nd round pick.  Yes, not since I picked Steve Young in the 1st round years ago, Peyton Manning was available, so I snagged him up.  Then I came back with a Reggie Wayne in the 3rd.  A trio of LT, Peyton, and Wayne is not to bad.  I guess my point is to draft for value.  Taking Manning, the #1 ranked QB, did my team a lot better than had I taken a 2nd tier RB like a Thomas Jones or Corey Dillon. 

So this year, change your way of thinking.

Don’t feel obligated to take a RB with your 2nd pick if there are no top tier ones left.  Getting a stud RB in the 1st round like LT, Stephen Jackson, etc..then completing your next two picks with a top tier WR (Steve Smith, Chad Johnson) or top rated QB (only Peyton Manning, Palmer, and maybe Brees though) will give you a pretty good foundation for a top rated team.  You’ll be able to get another RB in the 4th like a Kevin Jones (or Tatum Bell) or Carnell Williams to round off your core lineup.