Exceptions to the cardinal rule: drafting a QB and RB from the same team?

Question

The three-down back faces extinction and multiple-threat RBs like Brian Westbrook, Maurice Jones-Drew and Reggie Bush offer as much yardage receiving as they gain on the ground.

So, is the cardinal rule -- don't draft a QB and an RB from the same team -- destined to follow other must dos in fantasy football (e.g. draft RB-RB in the first two rounds)?

Answer 1

I thought about this question for a while, as Yahoo dealt with its server constipation.

There's been little stattistical study published to support or dissuade a manager from drafting a feature back and QB from the same team.  The article I attached discusses "hookups," and it's from way back in 2000.

I don't entirely subscribe to this "cardinal rule," and in some cases I embrace the concept.

Two years ago, the same combo seahawksblitz8 mentioned powered me to a title.  The "double dip" between Bulger and Jackson was devastating.  The next year, it was a trainwreck... which points to inconsistency as the major detractor.

Quality backup QBs are very important.  I see a lot of managers fail to draft one, or think of it as an afterthought.

For those with the stomach to draft a QB-RB hookup, picking up another solid QB is the perfect measure to mitigate the risk.

Putting it simply, I think the article gets it right in saying that this hookup makes your team's scoring inconsistent.

Another great question...

Answer 2

There is really only one negative for starting two players on the same team. Their performance is often tied together. If the offense does awesome you will do awesome but if they do poorly chances are you will too.

This isn't necessarily bad in the regular season, but in the playoffs you want players that will be more consistent. Its great when your Bulger-Jackson combo puts up 40 points together in one week, but awful if they combine for 5 in your playoff game.

Answer 3

Hi jbrandtc,

I don't necessarily think that it's a cardinal rule, just more of a guideline that, more times than not, is correct.  As someone pointed out no one would scoff at having Manning and Addai on the same roster, but in the vast majority of cases it's rare to find a team where both the QB and the starting RB are true studs; Indy is an exception.

The main reason why I choose players from different teams at my drafts is to diversify my roster.  Think about why people diversity their stock portfolios; they do this so that in the case where one stock or mutual fund collapses, they still have stocks of a different variety to ensure they don't lose everything.

I think fantasy rosters are somewhat similar.  If I have Bulger, Steven Jackson, and Holt on my team and the Rams have a bad day at the office, getting blown out by the Giants, you can bet that I will get a loss that week.  However, if I only had Steven Jackson, the hit would be much more minimal.  This is an extreme case but you get the idea.

Of course you still have the bye week factors which also plays a role and encourage diversification.  In reality, I would pay more attention to bye weeks than I would what team each player plays for.  If you pay attention to bye weeks as you're selecting your skill players, then you're already diversifying according to team, so you don't have anything to worry about.

My printable cheat sheets have both the team name and the bye week listed right next to each player (along with configurable sleeper, bust, and injured tags).  A link is in my source list.

Answer 4

I did this last season in one of my leagues with Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson and hit the double whammy. I honestly don't see anything wrong with drafting a QB and RB from the same team. Sure, if their team has a bad week offensively, you have a great chance of losing your matchup, but in certain situations like Indianapolis with Addai and Manning - if you can somehow get them both, I see nothing wrong with it.

In Philadelphia Westbrook and McNabb works out because Westbrook will rack up some of the passing yards from McNabb out of the backfield.

And honestly, this season Bulger and Jackson might be alright considering they are healthy and the team has caught their breath since last season's disaster.

San Diego, to a degree, would be feisable with Rivers and Tomlinson. Rivers isn't the ideal starting fantasy QB, but if you were using 2 QB's, this would work out great.

As for the RB-RB first two rounds, traditionally I think that's the way to go, mainly because there is a greater chance of a running back getting solid production week in and week out. Even if they don't get you your yards, they can score one TD and almost make starting them worth it.

While getting a Manning or Brady or Romo in rounds 1 or 2 would be a nice pickup, there are so many other guys out there like a Palmer, Brees, Hasselbeck, that put up acceptable numbers.

Honestly, there aren't many solid running backs left after round 2, so you really have to strategize before you draft. Do you want a RB-QB? Or do you want 2 runing backs?

Personally, I'd take two running backs, and thinking about it, I think that's what I've done in every fantasy draft I've been in. When I first started out I may have taken a reciever second round, but I like the dual threat at running back.

Answer 5

in generall i try not 2 draft QBs and RBs from the same team. even if i do end up drafting them, i try to leave 1 of them on my bench, just in case the team gets shut down. u c, i would rather take the risk of putting only 1 in than taking the risk that the team will get shut down. but ut really depends who the duo is, 4 example- if it were manning+addai or manning + jacobs i go 4 it. but not much else