Summer is in the air, which means all of us fantasy football fanatics are getting that drafting itch. Whether it’s a friendly mock draft with league mates feeling the same itch, a way-too-early redraft league draft or a dynasty start-up draft, this is the time of year to get back into the groove and ready for the season ahead.
When heading into drafts, most managers come to the table with a strategy. There are many different approaches, all with fancy names to indicate the heart of the plan. As an analyst and fanatic, I’ve tried them all a few times. Zero-RB, Zero-QB, Robust-WR, and the list goes on. However, there’s one that I keep going back to time and time again; Hero-RB.
Hero-RB strategy is simple. Get a stud in the early rounds of your draft, then punt on the position until later. This allows you to load up at WR, TE and QB while still rostering an elite ball carrier. Sound scary? I get it. It can be. However, don’t judge a book by its cover.
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Later-Round Running Back Targets
ADP referenced using FantasyPros consensus Best Ball ADP
Rachaad White (RB – TB) | ADP 86, RB26
White, the clear RB1 in Tampa Bay, is currently valued as a high-end RB3 in drafts. In 2022, he was the PPR RB25 from Week 13 on despite sharing the backfield with Leonard Fournette in the most pass-happy attack in the league. 2023 will see a shift to a more ground-based approach with either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask behind center.
Antonio Gibson (RB – WAS) | ADP 110, RB35
The curious case of the elusive Antonio Gibson breakout may finally be solved in 2023. The Commanders moved on from RB J.D. McKissic and have chosen to roll into the 2023 season with Brian Robinson and Gobson as their primary weapons in the backfield. While Robinson showed he is a grinder, Gibson has a skill set that some have compared to a discount Christian McCaffery. Whether the team rolls out Jacoby Brissett or Sam Howell at QB, Gibson will be more involved in the offense than in years past.
Damien Harris (RB – BUF) | ADP 112, RB36
Damien Harris had a down year due to injuries in 2022, playing only 11 games and finishing as the PPR RB48. However, it’s a new world for the fifth-year ball carrier out of Alabama. Harris is joining a Buffalo Bills squad desperately needing RB help in short-yardage situations and the red zone. In 2021, Harris scored 12 red zone touchdowns for the New England Patriots, finishing with 929 rushing yards and 15 total end zone visits. Buffalo is the perfect place for him to catch that old feeling and jump up the RB rankings.
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Nate Polvogt is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Nate, check out his archive and follow him @NatePolvogt.
