Does the Zero RB draft strategy work? Fantasy football players have argued about it for years. The truth is it can work if executed correctly and if Lady Luck is on your side.
How does the strategy work? You don’t avoid running backs during the entire draft, just the first handful of hands. Typically, you wait until the sixth round to draft your first running back using this strategy. Instead of targeting running backs early in your draft, you want to load up at other positions. Ideally, you want to secure a stud wide receiver, an elite tight end, and a top-tier quarterback. The point of this strategy is to sacrifice at running back to have a star-studded lineup at other positions.
While the Zero RB strategy works in all scoring leagues, it is the easiest to execute in PPR leagues. The reason why this strategy works best in PPR scoring leagues is because pass-catching running backs can offer top-20 performances some weeks. It is also a more appealing strategy in Superflex leagues as teams will let running backs slide as they load up on quarterbacks early in the draft.
This draft strategy isn’t ideal if you have a top 3-4 draft slot. You don’t want to pass on the elite running backs like Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, and Derrick Henry. Instead, you want to use the Hero RB strategy. Draft the stud running back in the first round, then wait until the middle rounds to load up on running backs.
Potential Targets
ADP from Fantasy Football Calculator on mock drafts from May 19 through May 29.
- Round 6: Rashaad Penny, Miles Sanders
- Round 7: Kareem Hunt, Melvin Gordon
- Round 8: Tony Pollard, Sony Michel
- Round 9: Darrell Henderson, Alexander Mattison
- Round 10: J.D. McKissic, Rhamondre Stevenson
- Round 11: Nyheim Hines, Dameon Pierce
- Round 12: Kenneth Gainwell, James Cook
- Round 13: Marlon Mack, Mark Ingram
- Round 14: Kenyan Drake, Mike Davis
Tony Pollard (RB – DAL)
Tony Pollard is coming off a career-high in rushing attempts (130) and targets (46). Pollard was one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL. Last season he was fourth in yards after contact per attempt behind only Rashaad Penny, Nick Chubb, and Jonathan Taylor (minimum 100 carries, per PFF). He was also first in yards per route run at the position. Pollard offers stand-alone RB3 production as he was the RB30 in fantasy points per game last season. If anything happens to Ezekiell Elliott, Pollard has league-winning upside.
– Derek Brown
Pollard has always been a popular breakout candidate, given his explosive running ability. Last year he had a career year in many categories, including rushing attempts (130), rushing yards (719), yards per attempt (5.5), receptions (39), targets (46) and receiving yards (337). Ezekiel Elliott battled injuries last year and had a career-low 237 rushing attempts. As a result, Pollard earned more of a role last year, and it should grow this season. Furthermore, the Cowboys lost Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson this offseason and have hinted at playing Pollard in the slot in certain situations. If Elliott suffers an injury, Pollard becomes a league winner. Even if Elliott stays healthy, Pollard will provide consistent fantasy production.
– Mike Fanelli in “Best Ball Values to Target by Round“
Yes. Tony Pollard is a 👑 https://t.co/nHioWvQRie
— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) June 27, 2022
Darrell Henderson Jr. (RB – LAR)
Through the first 12 weeks of the 2021 season, Darrell Henderson was functioning as a fringe RB1 in all scoring formats. He ranked as the RB13 overall and RB16 in fantasy points per game (14.3) in half-point scoring, operating as Sean McVay’s bellcow back with Cam Akers sidelined due to injury.
Los Angeles would likely turn to Hendo as their pseudo-workhorse if Akers suffers another injury in 2022. And he’s likely to be productive based on this projected three-down volume and beneficial offensive environment.
Just be wary that Henderson may not offer the tantalizing league-winning upside based on his own inability to stay healthy throughout his NFL career. He’s never started more than 11 games in a season and is already dealing with a soft tissue injury in OTAs.
– Andrew Erickson
Darrell Henderson has flashed during his career, but injuries and inconsistencies have held him down during his time in Los Angeles. In Weeks 1-12 last season, as the Rams’ lead back, he was the RB14 averaging 16.9 touches and 82 total yards per game. Those numbers make his performance look far better than it was. After ranking 36th in yards created per touch and with 2.49 yards after contact per attempt (per PFF), he will need to handily outplay Cam Akers in the preseason and camp to unseat him. Henders is best viewed as a high-end handcuff.
– Derek Brown
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
Rhamondre Stevenson experienced a very successful rookie season that should not be overlooked. After fully escaping the Bill Belichick doghouse in Week 9, Stevenson earned top grades across the board.
He was PFF’s third-highest graded running back (84.2). Stevenson also ranked 13th in rushing yards and in yards per route run (1.41). For fantasy, the rookie running back was the RB25 in total points scored, eight spots behind his backfield teammate Harris.
There’s a high ceiling for Stevenson, especially if you ask former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich. The ESPN analyst went as far as saying that Stevenson “…will be one of the better, if not one of the top three, running backs in the league based on what I saw with his strength, explosion and catch-and-run ability.”
– Andrew Erickson
CONTINUE.
Drafting Rhamondre Stevenson.https://t.co/El5XwUcoGI
— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) June 21, 2022
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