I think you have to look at various factors, and then adjust your strategy accordingly. I would break my analysis down firstly by field size (small say < 100), large >100 and less < 500 and mega > 500 for example). Secondly I would break it down by buy-in (Freeroll, small buy in, medium and high).
It seems like a lot to do, but without even realizing it, you are probably better in one or two groupings, that suite your style of play, poker bank rolland time constraints. If you play a tourn that digs big into your bankroll, do you play differently ? Scared money can't win !
My feeling is that in a lot of freeroll/small buyins, the bad players (low hanging fruit) are numerous at the beginning of the tourn. You need to get your share of these easy chips, because they will give you breathing room in the mid part, and hopefully carry you to the later part in good shape.
If it means opening your range slightly early, and being more speculative then so be it. If getting involved here cripples you early too bad. Your goal is to get to the MID part of the tourn, well ahead of the average, in good shape. Then you have some freedom, to pick off the small stacks who are now falling under blind pressure. You can now play a bit, because losing a smallish pot will not cripple you.
Rather be crippled earlier, than hang on by a thread for hours. Hanging on is an irritating way to play. You only have 2 decisions. ALL-IN or fold which is also very limiting. It is also annoying to waste 2 hours hanging on, when probably 80% of the time you will get knocked out before the big money in any case. It is a pointless, annoying, time wasting, irritating, soul destroying exercise that normally generates negative mental vibes.