A touchdown vulture is a player, usually a backup running back, who takes short-yardage carries near the goal line and scores touchdowns that would otherwise go to a team's starter.
A touchdown vulture is a backup who swoops in to steal scoring chances from a more talented teammate. The classic example is a big, bruising running back who enters the game when his team is inside the five-yard line. The starter does the hard work to move the ball down the field, but the vulture gets the easy carry across the goal line and walks away with the touchdown.
Vultures matter in fantasy because touchdowns are worth so many points. If you own the starter, a vulture cuts into your scoring every week and can be frustrating to watch. If you own the vulture, though, you have a cheap source of touchdowns, and some fantasy managers deliberately draft these players late for exactly that reason.
Vultures are not always running backs. A backup quarterback might steal a rushing touchdown with a sneak, or a tight end might catch a pass at the goal line that a receiver would normally get. Whenever a part-time player takes scoring chances away from a starter, fantasy managers call it vulturing.
It can be a smart late-round pick. Vultures score touchdowns almost every week, and touchdowns are the biggest part of fantasy scoring. Just remember they offer little else, so their value drops fast if their team stops scoring.
Coaches often prefer a bigger back for short-yardage plays because he is harder to stop at the goal line. It also protects the starter from extra hits in the most physical part of the field.
It is a real drawback, but the starter can still be very valuable from yardage and receptions. Consider handcuffing by drafting the vulture yourself so you benefit either way.
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