Does the Zero-RB draft strategy work? Fantasy football players have argued about it for years. The truth is it can work if executed correctly and if Lady Luck is on your side.
How does the strategy work? You don’t avoid running backs during the entire draft, just the first handful of hands. Typically you wait until the sixth round to draft your first running back using this strategy. Instead of targeting running backs early in your draft, you want to load up at other positions. Ideally, you want to secure a stud wide receiver, an elite tight end, and a top-tier quarterback. The point of this strategy is to sacrifice at running back to have a star-studded lineup at other positions.
While the Zero-RB strategy works in all scoring leagues, it is the easiest to execute in PPR leagues. The reason why this strategy works best in PPR scoring leagues is that pass-catching running backs can offer top-20 performances some weeks. It is also a more appealing strategy in superflex leagues, as teams will let running backs slide as they load up on quarterbacks early in the draft.
This draft strategy isn’t ideal if you have a top 3-4 draft slot in a 1QB league. You don’t want to pass on the elite running backs like Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler and Jonathan Taylor. Instead, you want to use the Hero-RB strategy. Draft the stud running back in the first round, then wait till the middle rounds to load up on running backs.
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Zero-RB Redraft Draft Strategy (2023 Fantasy Football)
Types of Running Backs to Target
High Upside Backs
The key to successfully pulling off the Zero-RB strategy is to hit on the running backs in the later rounds. One type you need to target is high-upside running backs. These players currently don’t have the most upside but have a potential path to a top-12 finish. Typically these running backs are guys who have a shot at replacing the current starter with or without needing an injury. Some potential targets include Zach Charbonnet, Jamaal Williams and Antonio Gibson.
Handcuffs
Handcuffing your running backs could be the key to winning your fantasy league. However, targeting other teams’ handcuffs is the key to successfully pulling off a Zero-RB draft strategy. Every year running backs get hurt, whether for a few weeks or the rest of the season. The backup can fill the void and produce at a similar level most of the time. Dalvin Cook missed four games because of injuries in 2021. His handcuff, Alexander Mattison, averaged 21.7 PPR fantasy points per game, scoring at least 16 in every contest while filling in for Cook. Some potential targets include Jaylen Warren, Tyler Allgeier and Jerome Ford.
PPR Stars
It’s easier to execute a Zero-RB draft strategy in a PPR scoring league because there is more depth at the running back position. Running backs who don’t provide much fantasy value on the ground are borderline worthless in non-PPR or standard scoring. However, they are excellent safe floor players in PPR scoring and provide critical value when using a Zero-RB draft strategy. Usually, any running back who averages 3.5 or more receptions per game scores at least 10 PPR fantasy points per contest. These running backs won’t win you the league, but they will provide a safe floor option for your RB2 slot. Some potential targets include Jerick McKinnon, Tyjae Spears and Kyren Williams.
Early Season Fillers
Most of the running backs you draft will be lottery tickets or high-upside players. However, you will need a few stable options for the first couple of weeks of the season. These running backs can be the same PPR targets mentioned above. They can also be running backs you can count on to start the year but might get replaced or hurt after a few weeks. A couple of veterans you should target for the first few weeks of the season include Raheem Mostert and Khalil Herbert.
The Ideal Zero-RB Start
Round 1: Stud Wide Receiver
Everyone has heard the saying, “You can’t win your league in the first round, but you can lose it.” Well, that’s 100% accurate. It’s even more meaningful when using the Zero-RB strategy. You MUST hit on your first-round pick. Unless you’re playing in a Superflex league, you want to draft a stud wide receiver in the first round. Ideally, you want a high-volume wide receiver with a safe floor. If you can land Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp or Ja’Marr Chase, that would be a best-case scenario.
Round 2: Elite Tight End
Some have the mindset of waiting till the later rounds to draft a tight end. However, you will want an elite tight end if your running back position lacks a superstar. Having a weekly advantage at the tight end position is critical if you use this draft strategy. Over the past three years, the TE1 has averaged 19.1 fantasy points per game, while the TE2 averaged 15.5 fantasy points per game. Having Travis Kelce on your team will give you a leg up on your opponents. Hopefully, he is still on the board in the second round this year.
Round 3: Upside WR2
If you want to go with an abbreviated version of the Zero-RB strategy, you can draft a running back in this round. If not, targeting a high-end WR2 is the alternative. After grabbing a safe floor stud wide receiver in the first round, you want to target a high-upside player with this pick. You could draft a safe wide receiver in this round, but it’s not ideal after picking two safe floor players with your first two selections. Instead, draft a wide receiver with top-five upside. Calvin Ridley and Tee Higgins are two ideal targets.
Round 4: Top Tier Quarterback
Like with tight ends, you want an elite quarterback on your team. While the gap between the top 3-4 quarterbacks and the rest in the top 10 isn’t huge, having a plug-and-play starter is ideal. Furthermore, you can consider taking a quarterback in the third round and drafting a wide receiver in the fourth. For example, if you want to secure Patrick Mahomes or Jalen Hurts, you might need to use your third-round pick on him. Regardless of which round you draft a quarterback, you want to grab one with massive upside.
Round 5: Another Wide Receiver
Whichever type of wide receiver you draft in the third round, you want to take the opposite with this pick. The reason why you want to pick the opposite type of wide receiver is to maintain roster balance. If your team is all floor players, you won’t have the upside needed to overcome your weakness at running back. By comparison, you don’t want all upside players who are more likely to bust. Potential upside targets for this pick could include Drake London or Mike Williams. Possible safe floor options include Terry McLaurin and Chris Godwin.
Potential Targets
- Round 6: Dameon Pierce, D’Andre Swift
- Round 7: D’Andre Swift, Cam Akers
- Round 8: James Conner, David Montgomery
- Round 9: Zach Charbonnet, Samaje Perine
- Round 10: Devon Achane, Antonio Gibson
- Round 11: Jamaal Williams, Jerick McKinnon
- Round 12: Jaylen Warren, Tank Bigsby
- Round 13: Raheem Mostert, Tyler Allgeier
- Round 14: Jerome Ford, Chase Brown
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
