Although I am new to MFN, I am noticing a distinct trend (in various leagues) that some teams (who are doing well I might add) are playing WRs at RB (due to speed factor I presume). Some teams don't even have RBs on their roster, or just 1 or 2. They run sweeps mostly but also a few inside runs too. These WRs don't have high break tackle ability either.

I'm not saying it's not possible, but a 190 lb WR hitting the A gap, or even constantly running sweeps in a game, is gonna get hurt before the game is out in all likelihood but that doesn't seem to happen. Seems to be a legit (ie. working) strategy. Anyone else notice that? Or, have I just not seen these WRs become RBs get injured more often?

If this has been discussed elsewhere in another thread, please let me know. It's an intriguing concept to not worry about drafting an RB, or having a good RB, and just working on WRs. But, that seems a bit unrealistic.

Is it just me as a newb missing something?

I frequently take advantage of the speed boost of moving RBs to WR. The heavier players possibly give you the benefit of gaining an extra yard or more before going down. Smaller and/or weaker players seem to struggle with inside runs. I haven't noticed any correlation to smaller players getting injured.

I'm not saying this is right, but I would also note that NFL teams increasingly rely on smaller RBs (Chiefs rookie Darwin Thompson weighs 200 and had an impressive game between the tackles on Sunday). NFL teams also regularly hand off to WRs.

The underlying problem here is JDB's persistent failure to make speed anything close to normal across positions, and the insistence that all players at any given position weigh exactly the same. Unfortunately, neither issue appears on the roadmap for future developments.

A HUGE part of my success is made on inside runs and my lightweights are doing most of the pulling.

Won't a WR converted to RB gain weight until he hits 217 lbs, or whatever it is?

Yes.

The converse is also true, an RB converted to WR will lose weight. We're talking about a player that practices at WR, suits up for games as WR (no matter what they were drafted as), then runs the ball due to depth chart and/or overrides. The difference between WR and RB weights is usually good for about 2 points of speed and 1-2 points of acceleration.

I have recently had a WR that had great speed but not good rating on route running and avoidance. Did not do all to great the first 2seasons so I placed him at running back on certain formations...ended up w/ almost 1000 yards receiving and 600 some rushing and 7 touchdowns. Had a better WR in another league tried same thing and it was horrific.

A lot of variables here (acceleration, break tackle, strength, ball carry, your OL/FB/TE, play selection), but one of the most commonly overlooked attributes for a running back is route running, which is a major factor in pitch/toss plays.

And on top of that I would also add the route running/pass catch combination for swing routes out of the backfield, which can be killer yardage gains under the current engine since they get matched up with slower LB's in a lot of cases.

One issue I have is height makes no difference . Thompson is 5'8 . Emmitt Barry and Thurmond Thomas were small guys handling the load. Chris Johnson is the tallest at 5' 11 Here they can be 6'7 217 pounds and play great running back. Okoye and Derrick Henry are tall fast backs but there are usually 240 + pounds.