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 backs 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 at the running back position to have a star-studded lineup everywhere else. Here are a few running backs you can target using this fantasy football draft strategy.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Most Accurate Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Auction Rankings
Zero-RB Fantasy Football Draft Targets
Round 9 & 10 Targets
J.K. Dobbins (DEN): ADP 117.4 | RB38
After missing 82.4% of the games over the previous three years with injuries, Dobbins mostly stayed healthy in 2024. The veteran finished as the RB24, averaging 14.8 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, his 5.1% explosive run rate ranked 12th out of 31 running backs with at least 150 rushing attempts last season (per Fantasy Points Data). More importantly, Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram both finished as top-28 running backs on a fantasy points-per-game basis in 2017 and 2018 when Sean Payton was the New Orleans Saints’ head coach.
Jordan Mason (MIN): ADP 117.8 | RB39
Last year, Mason finished as the RB41, averaging 9.6 PPR fantasy points per game. However, he was outstanding early in the season, filling in for Christian McCaffrey, ranking as the RB5 over the first month, averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game, totaling 17.4 or more in all but one contest. More importantly, Mason could steal the lead role from Aaron Jones. According to Fantasy Points Data, Mason had a better explosive run rate (7.8% vs. 3.5%) and missed forced tackle per attempt rate (22% vs. 11%) than Jones last year.
Late-Round Targets
Jaydon Blue (DAL): ADP 140.8 | RB45
I have been pounding the table all offseason for Blue, as he is my favorite sleeper target. Blue has been standing out at training camp, earning first-team reps. Meanwhile, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders had an explosive run rate of 2.9% or lower last year, ranking in the bottom 20 of 68 running backs with at least 55 attempts (per Fantasy Points Data). By comparison, Blue is an explosive runner with massive upside in the passing game, totaling six receiving touchdowns last season. He could be this year’s Bucky Irving.
Jerome Ford (CLE): ADP 164.2 | RB51
Unfortunately, Quinshon Judkins’ status for the 2025 season is in doubt. Therefore, Ford will likely see significant touches until the rookie is back in the lineup. Last year, the veteran averaged 14 PPR fantasy points per game in the six contests he played more than 20% of the snaps without Nick Chubb. Furthermore, Ford ranked fourth in yards per attempt (5.43), seventh in yards after contact per attempt (2.7), and eighth in explosive run rate (6.7%) among 46 running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS): ADP 265.2 | RB68
Many expected the Commanders to use an early pick in the NFL Draft on a running back. Instead, they waited until the last round to select Croskey-Merritt. He only played in one game last year because of eligibility issues. However, the rookie was outstanding in 2023, totaling 1,190 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. More importantly, Croskey-Merritt has been the star of training camp, earning first-team reps. Don’t be surprised if the seventh-round rookie is this year’s Isiah Pacheco and is Washington’s starting running back by Halloween, if not sooner.
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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.
