The Stud WR Theory

This strategy is one that I have been forced to follow the past two seasons. Shockingly enough, although wildly inconsistent and lacking confidence, I have won back-to-back division titles. I know, unbelievable isn't it? I was forced into this approach by having the misfortune of selecting near the end of our serpentine draft, and had to find a way to keep up with the Tomlinson's.

The theory of this strategy is that instead of picking from the scrapings of running backs your fellow owners have left you with your top two picks; you instead take the top two wide receivers on the board. Starting out with players such as Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens can give you an advantage over all of your opponents at this position on any given week. Seeing these top two receivers go may also spark a run on the position, thus leaving you more attractive options at running backs in the rounds to follow.

One other highlight to this strategy is that the top wide receivers in the league are usually consistent in their production from season to season, and every year there are running backs drafted before them that don't live up to the hype. See Cadillac Williams, Lamont Jordan and Ronnie Brown from 2006, all of which went before I selected Harrison.

The problem with this strategy is that wide receivers can be extremely erratic and you are now forced to draft even lesser talented running backs with your next two or three picks. Most also agree that the talent pool at wide receiver is much deeper than at the running back position, so how much of an advantage are you really going to have?

Like I said in the beginning, I have been forced to use this strategy two years in a row and have been fortunate enough to see success, but I was probably the most prepared owner going into the draft knowing that this was my fate. With your 3rd-5th round picks certain to be running backs, make sure you do your homework on the players that will be available to you in those rounds. Research and preparation such as Mock Drafting will help immensely and if you are lucky enough to uncover a diamond in the rough or find that rookie that outperforms expectations, it will make your season much less stressful when the LaDainian's and LJ's are scoring at will, knowing you still have a chance.

Championships have been won with numerous strategies and tactics on draft day. Weather you chose to follow the SRBT, VBD, the Stud WR Theory, make sure you have A plan. Do your research, study hard and find what will work best for you based on your league, and take that plan to the draft with confidence.