Everyone has heard of the Zero-RB draft strategy. Meanwhile, the Zero-WR strategy doesn’t get as much love from the fantasy football community. Yet, it’s one of my favorite draft strategies every year.
How does the Zero-RB or Zero-WR draft strategy work? You don’t avoid running backs or wide receivers during the entire draft, just the first handful of rounds. Typically, you wait until the fifth or sixth round to draft your first running back or wide receiver, depending on which Zero-draft strategy you use.
Fantasy players want to load up at the other position (running back or wide receiver) early in the draft. Ideally, you also want to secure a top-three quarterback and an elite tight end with these strategies. The point is to sacrifice running back or wide receiver to have a star-studded lineup at other positions.
- Consistency Series: QB | RB | WR
- Draft Targets for Every Round: Early | Middle | Late
- Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
Zero-RB Draft Strategy Targets
Zero-RB Draft Targets
Cam Akers (RB – LAR): ADP 57.3 | RB22
The former Florida State star is arguably the most polarizing player in fantasy football. After a rocky first half last season, Akers had an outstanding finish. He was the RB2 over the final four weeks, averaging 18.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The former Florida State star averaged 2.78 yards after contact per rushing attempt, the same average as Saquon Barkley.
Furthermore, he had 36 missed tackles forced on his 188 rushing attempts. By comparison, Christian McCaffrey has the same 36 missed tackles forced on 244 rushing attempts last season. Akers is prime to have a breakout season in a contract year.
James Cook (RB – BUF): ADP 71.3 | RB28
Last season, everyone had high hopes for Cook. Sadly, he struggled, ending the year as the RB45, averaging only six half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, the former Georgia star is a popular breakout candidate. The Bills lost Devin Singletary in free agency, replacing him with Damien Harris. However, the veteran should have a limited role outside of goal-line responsibilities.
Last year, 13.5% of Cook’s rushing attempts went for 10 or more yards. He also finished first in breakaway run rate (12.1%). Josh Allen and the coaching staff expect a big year from Cook, as should fantasy players.
David Montgomery (RB – DET): ADP 76.3 | RB31
Montgomery has never been a fantasy superstar, totaling only one RB1 finish in his career. However, he has been a consistent RB2 while playing in a struggling and sub-par offense. The former Iowa State star has never finished lower than the RB25 any year. Last season, Montgomery was the RB23, averaging 10 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, despite splitting the backfield work with Khalil Herbert and Justin Fields.
Meanwhile, he is replacing Jamaal Williams in Detroit. Last year, Williams led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (17) and finished second in goal touches (22). Montgomery will easily outperform his ADP.
Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI): ADP 166.7 | RB53
Many are excited about Khalil Herbert this year with David Montgomery gone. However, I’m targeting Johnson. The rookie has the cheapest ADP on the Bears’ running backs. Yet, he has already earned the No. 2 running back role. Johnson could be this year’s Dameon Pierce.
If the rookie didn’t have to share the Texas backfield with Bijan Robinson, he likely would have been a second-round draft pick. The former Longhorn is already the team’s best pass protector. While Herbert will begin the year as the starter, don’t be surprised when Johnson leads the team in rushing attempts.
QBs & TEs to Target with Zero Draft Strategies
Whether fantasy players use a Zero-RB or Zero-WR draft strategy, you want to secure an elite quarterback and tight end. Fantasy players can use their top two picks on a quarterback and tight end, then load up at running back or wide receiver before switching to the other position. Another option is to target one quarterback or tight end early and the other in the fourth or fifth round.
Below are two quarterbacks and two tight ends I am targeting when using a Zero-RB or Zero-WR draft strategy.
Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI): ADP 22.7 | QB3
Hurts had a breakout season in 2022, finishing as the QB1 on a points-per-game basis. Furthermore, the superstar has been a force in the run game since taking over as the starter. The former Oklahoma star has totaled 23 rushing touchdowns over the past two years. Yet, he has even more rushing upside this season.
The Eagles lost Miles Sanders in free agency. Unless the team adds Jonathan Taylor, Philadelphia will need to lean on Hurts more in the run game this year. Last season, the superstar quarterback finished second in the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns. He could easily have 17 rushing touchdowns in 2023.
Justin Fields (QB – CHI): ADP 45.7 | QB7
From Week 5 through Week 16, Fields was the QB5, averaging 24.1 fantasy points per game. While the former Ohio State quarterback was a fantasy star because of his legs, he was a better passer than people give him credit for.
Fields finished eighth in air yards per attempt (8.9), seventh in red zone completion percentage (62.2%), fourth in red zone accuracy rating (7.4), and 16th in deep ball accuracy rating (5.9) last season. Yet, those numbers should improve this year with the addition of DJ Moore. He is my dark horse candidate to end the year as the overall QB1.
Travis Kelce (TE – KC): ADP 5.7 | TE1
While he isn’t worth taking with the 1.01 pick, Kelce is a top-five selection this season. The future Hall of Famer scores like a top-10 wide receiver or running back every year. Furthermore, he gives fantasy players a significant weekly advantage after finishing as the TE1 in four of the past five seasons.
Last year, the veteran averaged four more half-point PPR fantasy points per game than any other tight end. He also led all wide receivers and tight ends in yards after the catch. Anyone using a Zero-RB or Zero-WR draft strategy should make drafting Kelce their top priority.
Darren Waller (TE – NYG): ADP 57.7 | TE5
The veteran was the TE2 in 2020, averaging 9.1 targets and 14.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, Waller has struggled with injuries, missing over 40% of the games the past two years. However, he is prime for a bounce-back season in New York.
Last season, the veteran led all tight ends in deep targets (13) despite missing nearly half the year. Furthermore, Waller finished second in yards per reception (13.9), fifth in yards per target (nine), and 11th in yards per route run (1.69) among tight ends. More importantly, Waller has built a strong connection with Daniel Jones.
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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.