Everyone has been scared of the running back dead zone for years. The dead zone generally starts in the third round and runs through the sixth round. Running backs in this range have struggled historically compared to wide receivers and even tight ends in the same span.
A couple of factors go into the running back dead zone. The top one is fantasy players pushing running backs up in the ADP after seeing an early run at the position in the first two rounds. However, that has changed over the past few years. The general public has become more willing to draft wide receivers early in their drafts. With more wide receivers getting drafted in the first two rounds, running backs have been more appropriately ranked and drafted.
While the dead zone still exists, there are multiple running backs in that range that fantasy players should target during their drafts. Below are five running backs inside the dead zone that fantasy players want to draft this season.
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Running Backs to Target Inside the RB Dead Zone
Travis Etienne Jr. (JAC): ADP 26.7 | RB9
Jacksonville’s offense had massive expectations heading into last season. While they fell short, Etienne was a star. He was the RB3, averaging 14.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per contest. While the coaching staff have said they want to cut back on his workload, that’s a positive for fantasy players. The star running back wore down in the second half last year, averaging 3.6 yards per rushing attempt and 12.9 fantasy points per game over the final seven weeks. Etienne will have another RB1 finish despite a slight decline in touches.
Derrick Henry (BAL): ADP 27.3 | RB10
Some might have concerns with Henry because of his age (he turned 30 in January) and his career workload (over 2,000 rushing attempts in the NFL). However, the veteran was the RB8 in 2023, averaging 13.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite splitting the backfield work with Tyjae Spears. Henry averaged only 1.11 yards before contact per rushing attempt behind an awful Tennessee Titans offensive line last year (per Fantasy Points Data). Thankfully, he will be far better this season behind a significantly better Baltimore offensive line.
Joe Mixon (HOU): ADP 53.3 | RB15
While he hasn’t been the most efficient runner, Mixon has had three consecutive top-12 finishes in half-point PPR scoring. Some think the veteran won’t see the same volume in Houston that he had with the Cincinnati Bengals, but that isn’t the case. The Texans’ backfield averaged 22 touches per game in 2023. Furthermore, Devin Singletary was the RB9 from Week 10 through Week 18 as the featured guy, averaging 19.4 touches and 13.2 fantasy points per game. Mixon will remain a low-end RB1 playing in a fantasy-friendly Houston offense.
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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.
