Everyone has heard of the Zero-RB draft strategy. However, how does it work? Fantasy players don’t avoid that position the entire draft. Instead, you focus on other positions early in the draft before targeting running back starting in the fifth or sixth round.
Ideally, you load up at the wide receiver position in the early rounds, grabbing two star-caliber guys. Fantasy players also want to draft an elite quarterback and tight end before picking their first running back with this draft strategy. The point of this strategy is to sacrifice the running back position to have a star-studded lineup everywhere else.
Below are running backs I am targeting this year when using a Zero-RB draft strategy.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Zero RB Running Back Draft Targets
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE): ADP 59.3 | RB19
Unfortunately, Stevenson was a fantasy bust in 2023. Yet, fantasy players should expect a bounce-back season from the former Oklahoma star. While he struggled last year, Stevenson played like an elite running back before suffering a season-ending high ankle sprain in Week 13. The veteran averaged 91 rushing yards and 17.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over his final three healthy contests. While some are worried about the arrival of Antonio Gibson, Stevenson will remain the featured back after the Patriots signed him to a massive extension.
James Conner (RB – ARI): ADP 59.7 | RB20
The knock against Conner is his injury history. However, he has never finished lower than the RB10 since joining Arizona on a points-per-game basis in half-point PPR scoring. Last year, the veteran averaged a career-high five yards per attempt, had the fourth-highest explosive run rate (6.3%), and the third-highest missed forced tackle per rushing attempt among running backs with at least 150 rushing attempts (per Fantasy Points Data). While the Cardinals spent a third-round pick on Trey Benson, the rookie won’t replace Conner as the starter in 2024.
David Montgomery (RB – DET): ADP 61.3 | RB21
While he split the backfield work with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery is one of my favorite running backs to draft this year. Detroit’s offense has been outstanding for their running backs, especially around the goal line. The veteran had a career-high 13 touchdowns in his 13 healthy contests last season, ranking fifth in the NFL and third among running backs. Furthermore, he averaged a career-high 4.6 yards per rushing attempt in 2023. Montgomery is an outstanding value in the sixth round, especially when using a Zero-RB draft strategy.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.