#The real star in 2020 is a deep bench

At this stage, most fantasy football owners are starting to focus their attention on the playoffs. Typically, with trade deadlines upon us, many are following the usual path of consolidating bench depth and borderline starters to increase their star power while simultaneously avoiding the need to make weekly lineup decisions. If that sounds like you, you may want to pump the brakes. It’s 2020, and quality bench depth is what moves the needle this season.

Take a real good look at the top teams in your league right now. Are they there because of their first- or second-round pick? Probably not. Maybe the Alvin Kamara owner is feeling good, but according to 2020 fantasy ADP (average draft position), 18 of the top 24 players taken in drafts have either been injured or are posting numbers far below their projected value. It may sound trite and cliché, but fantasy championships are won in the middle-to-late rounds. Those teams at the top of your standings are there because of their bench depth and ability to withstand injuries or disappointing totals.

You can even take a look at the teams that thought they were being savvy by trading away their depth for one of these top players returning from injury. How many of you witnessed deals like D’Andre Swift, Antonio Gibson and D.J. Moore for Christian McCaffrey? Or how about deals for players like Michael Thomas, Joe Mixon or Austin Ekeler? Having your eye on the playoffs is one thing, but if you’re just looking at schedules for Weeks 14-16, you’re not seeing what is happening right in front of you.

Under normal circumstances, we would tell you to look at the big picture, to see the forest through the trees. Unfortunately, the 2020 season is anything but normal circumstances, and looking too far into the future could be a mistake. The winds of change are blowing in different directions each week, and if you don’t have the roster depth to withstand the weekly adjustments, you’ll never make it to the winner’s circle.

Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football advice.