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 10 running backs I am targeting this year when using a Zero-RB draft strategy. Ideally, I want to leave my draft with at least four of these running backs on my team.
- 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
Round 5 Targets
Rhamondre Stevenson (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 (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.
Round 6 Targets
David Montgomery (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.
Zamir White (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.
Round 7 & 8 Targets
Jaylen Warren (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 (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.
Round 9 & 10 Targets
Tyjae Spears (TEN): ADP 105.3 | RB35
Many had high hopes for Spears heading into the offseason. Unfortunately, the Titans signed Tony Pollard to a significant contract in free agency. Yet, the former Tulane star is one of my favorite mid-round running back draft picks this year. He had the fifth-best explosive run rate (7%) and the ninth-best yards after contact per rushing attempt average (2.92) among running backs with at least 100 attempts last season (per Fantasy Points Data). While Pollard won’t completely disappear into the background, Spears could become the lead running back in Tennessee.
Gus Edwards (LAC): ADP 114.7 | RB38
J.K. Dobbins has gotten some hype recently. Yet, I can’t stop drafting Edwards, especially when using a Zero-RB draft strategy. The veteran is coming off the best season of his career, totaling 13 rushing touchdowns, the third-most among running backs and the fifth-most in the NFL. He was the RB20 in 2023, averaging 10.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Dobbins has a significant injury history. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Edwards is the featured running back in Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s run-heavy offense, especially near the goal line.
Late Round Targets
Chase Brown (CIN): ADP 121.3 | RB41
Some believed Zack Moss would replace Joe Mixon as the lead back in Cincinnati earlier this offseason. However, Brown has been the talk of training camp and could take the starting role away from the veteran before Week 1. Brown had a higher explosive run rate (9.1% vs. 3.1%) and yards after contact per attempt (3.09 vs. 2.29) than Moss did in his five games without Jonathan Taylor last year. While fantasy players should expect both running backs to have a meaningful role, Brown has significantly more upside.
Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN): ADP 166.3 | RB53
The Broncos backfield is a wide-open competition. However, McLaughlin is the only one I will draft. He impressed as a rookie, averaging 11.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game and 6.9 yards per rushing attempt in the four contests with at least seven attempts. McLaughlin had the 12th-best explosive run rate among running backs with at least 75 rushing attempts in 2023 (per Fantasy Points Data). Don’t be surprised if Sean Payton views him as his next Alvin Kamara and gives McLaughlin a significant workload, especially in the passing game.
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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.
