There are several strategies fantasy football players can use when drafting their redraft teams. Yet, the only bad strategy is to draft without a plan and wing it. While Zero RB and Hero RB have become two of the more popular draft strategies, I still love using a Robust RB strategy. Here’s more on the fantasy football draft strategy along with running backs to target.
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Robust RB Fantasy Football Draft Targets
What is Robust RB Fantasy Football Draft Strategy?
When using the Robust RB draft strategy, fantasy players want to invest early in the running back position. Ideally, fantasy players should have three running backs on their roster within their first four picks. Furthermore, fantasy players should use their top two picks on running backs when using this draft strategy. The prime reason for using their draft strategy is to have plug-and-play guys for the RB1, RB2, and flex spots in your weekly lineup.
This draft strategy enables fantasy players to allocate most of their remaining draft picks and free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) to other positions. Fantasy players want to focus on the wide receiver position during the draft, knowing they can use their FAAB to stream quarterbacks and tight ends off the waiver wire.
What Type of RBs to Target?
The Robust RB strategy calls for fantasy players to invest early and aggressively in the running back position, regardless of the scoring system. However, fantasy players want to draft certain running backs at every point of their draft. Let’s look at which type of running backs fantasy players want to target.
Safe Superstars in Round 1
Taking a running back with your first-round pick is a must when using the Robust RB strategy. However, picking the wrong running back can ruin your season. Fantasy players want to target a running back with a safe floor in the first round, even if it means giving up some upside. Your team is in trouble if your first-round pick busts, no matter the draft strategy used. Yet, it can be a death sentence if your top running back flops when using the Robust RB strategy.
Therefore, fantasy players want to draft Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs over Saquon Barkley and Ashton Jeanty if they have an early pick. Similarly, fantasy players should draft Derrick Henry or De’Von Achane over Christian McCaffrey if they have a pick later in the first round. While Barkley and McCaffrey have more upside than any other running back, both have significant injury risk.
Workload Horse Guys in Round 2
If a first-round caliber running back slides into the second round of your draft, fantasy players can weigh the risk of taking someone like Christian McCaffrey despite his risks. However, the superstar is unlikely to slide out of the top 12 picks, leaving fantasy players to focus on the next tier of running backs. These running backs don’t have the same upside as the top tier of options, but do have a featured workload with little competition for touches.
While they lack the big-name appeal, these running backs have top-five upside because of their featured workload. Jonathan Taylor, Josh Jacobs, and Chase Brown are three excellent second-round draft targets for fantasy players using the Robust RB strategy. All three stars have little competition for touches from the other running backs in their backfield.
Veterans Who Won’t Go Away in Round 3/4
Fantasy players have some options when using the Robust RB strategy after their first two picks. They can either select a third running back in the third round or their first wide receiver. Ideally, a wide receiver with top-five upside slips into the third round like Ladd McConkey or Garrett Wilson. Even if fantasy players land Davante Adams or Rashee Rice as their No. 1 wide receiver while using the Robust RB draft strategy, that is an excellent outcome.
Fantasy players should jump at the opportunity to draft a running back from the previous group mentioned if he slides to the third round. However, veterans with proven history are outstanding options for your RB3. They provide upside if one of your top two running backs misses time with an injury while still outscoring most other teams’ flex option every week. Joe Mixon, Alvin Kamara, and David Montgomery are excellent options, especially in the fourth round.
Mid-Round Robust RB Fantasy Football Draft Targets
This might surprise fantasy players, but you can’t simply use your top three picks on running backs and call it a day. Ideally, a third of your roster or more should consist of running backs. While fantasy players need to spend most of their mid-round picks loading up on wide receivers, you must circle back to the running back position at some point.
Two appealing mid-round running back targets are Jordan Mason and Rhamondre Stevenson. While both running backs are the No. 2 guy on the depth chart, they have had success in the past as the starter. Furthermore, they could be league winners if the starter gets hurt or struggles. More importantly, Mason and Stevenson should see enough volume as the team’s No. 2 running back to have starting value, especially during bye weeks.
Late-Round Robust RB Fantasy Football Draft Targets
After drafting four, fantasy players can wait until the last few rounds to add a fifth and even sixth running back. Ideally, fantasy players want to fill the rest of their roster needs, except D/ST and kicker, before adding one or two late-round dart-throw-type running backs.
Let’s look at five of my favorite late-round running back draft targets when using the Robust RB strategy.
Isaac Guerendo (SF): ADP 145.5 | RB46
Hopefully, Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy in 2025 after missing 13 games last season, including the first eight with Achilles tendinitis. Furthermore, he has missed 44.1% of the games over the past five years. However, the superstar’s significant injury history makes Guerendo the top handcuff in fantasy football and a potential league winner.
Last season, Guerendo was outstanding when earning enough volume. He averaged 15 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the five contests with more than five rushing attempts. Furthermore, the former Louisville star had three rushing touchdowns late in the year after becoming the team’s starter. Guerendo showed enough as a rookie to be the team’s featured guy if McCaffrey misses time again in 2025.
Ray Davis (BUF): ADP 147.5 | RB47
Buffalo led the NFL with 32 rushing touchdowns last year. James Cook led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns, while Josh Allen had 12 scores. However, Davis also had an impact on the ground, totaling three rushing touchdowns. More importantly, he shined when Cook missed time with an injury last season.
The former Kentucky star was outstanding in the one game Cook missed with an injury last year. Davis finished Week 6 as the RB14, totaling 23 touches for 152 scrimmage yards and 16.7 half-point PPR fantasy points despite not scoring a touchdown. The second-year pro is a solid flex option with league-winning potential if Cook’s contract situation leads to a holdout.
Rico Dowdle (CAR): ADP 162.5 | RB49
Despite coming off the best season of his career in 2024, the Dallas Cowboys allowed Dowdle to walk in free agency. Last year, he finished as the RB22, averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite totaling only two rushing touchdowns. Furthermore, the veteran had over 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career.
After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Cowboys, Dowdle signed a one-year deal with the Panthers this offseason. Jonathon Brooks is out for the year after re-tearing his ACL late last season, making Dowdle the unquestioned No. 2 running back on the depth chart. Yet, he could earn co-starter snaps if Chuba Hubbard struggles coming off a career year.
Roschon Johnson (CHI): ADP 182.5 | RB55
Many expected the Bears to use an early pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a running back. However, the team waited until the seventh round to select Kyle Monangai. Therefore, Johnson should be the favorite to fill the David Montgomery goal-line role in Ben Johnson’s offense, potentially scoring double-digit touchdowns.
Last year, Johnson tied D’Andre Swift for the team lead with six rushing scores. However, he had 198 fewer rushing attempts than the veteran (253 vs. 55). Reportedly, Chicago could sign Nick Chubb or J.K. Dobbins before the start of training camp. Yet, Johnson should be a popular last-round draft target with league-winning upside unless the Bears add a running back in free agency.
Brashard Smith (KC): ADP 228.5 | RB69
Unfortunately, the Chiefs had to use a full-blown running back by committee situation last season. Isiah Pacheco missed 10 games because of injury. More importantly, the former Rutgers star struggled once back in the lineup. After averaging 14.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game before getting hurt, Pacheco averaged 4.5 fantasy points per contest coming off the injury.
Yet, Kansas City waited until the seventh round of the NFL Draft to select a running back, picking Smith. He has only played running back for a full season once, totaling 1,332 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last year. While he is a seventh-round pick, Smith could earn the starting role sooner than later, like Pacheco did as a rookie in 2022.
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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.
