Running Back Targets: Zamir White, Jonathon Brooks, Jaylen Warren (Fantasy Football)

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.

Zero RB Running Back Draft Targets

ADP via FantasyPros

Zamir White (RB – LV): ADP 68.7 | RB24

White was the RB8, averaging 14.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the four weeks Josh Jacobs missed with an injury last season. He had the fourth-highest yards after contact per rushing attempt (3.06) among running backs with at least 30 attempts during those four weeks, ahead of Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs (per Fantasy Points Data). More importantly, White had 20 or more touches in every contest, totaling 100 or more scrimmage yards in all but one game. He is one of my must-have running back draft targets.

Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT): ADP 87.7 | RB29

Fantasy players should be excited for the Steelers backfield after the Steelers hired Arthur Smith. Warren ranked first in missed forced tackle per attempt rate (34%) and yards after contact per attempt (3.52) while finishing second in explosive run rate (8.1%) among running backs with at least 110 rushing attempts last season (per Fantasy Points Data). Furthermore, he had the fifth-most receptions among running backs despite ranking 21st in route run (237). Warren could finish inside the top five if Najee Harris misses significant time or becomes extremely inefficient.

Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR): ADP 92.3 | RB31

According to Dave Canales, Brooks likely won’t make his NFL debut until Week 3. However, the former Texas star could be a league winner in the second half. He averaged 6.1 rushing yards per attempt and 113.9 yards per game last season. Brooks had the 11th-most missed tackles forced (63) in 2023 despite missing the final four games with a torn ACL (per PFF). Canales made Rachaad White an RB1 despite averaging only 3.6 yards per rushing attempt last year. Brooks should be even better once healthy.