Zero RB Draft Strategy & Targets (2025 Fantasy Football)

Zero RB is a popular roster construction, where you wait until the sixth round to draft your first running back. The goal here is to build a stacked group of wide receivers while paying up for the top tiers in quarterback and tight end. Ideally, you’re able to lock in a high-floor RB1 and then take several shots on lottery tickets to round out the rest of your running back depth chart.

As always, it’s important to consider average draft position (ADP) to make sure the price is right, while also balancing floor and upside to round out our roster. Read on to find out how to build a running back room accordingly.

Building a Fantasy Football Zero RB Room

RB1: High Floor

When taking your first running back, make sure it’s the sixth round because any later than that and you’re going to have a tough time. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to target running backs with projectable volume because this is your anchor running back with this roster construction.

D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)

D’Andre Swift has a clear path to volume in a significantly improved offense with Ben Johnson calling plays. The Bears have bolstered their offensive line this offseason, while also adding a pair of blue-chip pass-catchers in Colston Loveland and Luther Burden. This should result in a higher-scoring unit, putting Swift on track for a potential career year.

While this isn’t an exciting pick, it’s the type of boring veteran in a good role that you want to target to anchor your running back room. Don’t worry, as the upside picks will come with your RB2-RB6 range of players. Right now, the focus is on projectable volume.

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RB2-RB6: High Upside

Jordan Mason (RB – MIN)

The Vikings traded for Jordan Mason this offseason because not only did they want to ease the load on veteran Aaron Jones, but they also wanted an upgrade in the red zone. As the superior interior runner, Mason is the best bet for goal-line carries in this backfield. That bodes well for his fantasy upside because this is a stacked offense with improved run-blocking.

What’s great about Mason as your RB2 is that he has standalone value with a projectable role, as well as contingent upside. If Jones were forced to miss time, Mason could put up top-12 production. This is exactly the type of ceiling you want to look for in your Zero RB build.

Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)

The Seahawks are expected to have a significantly improved running game this season. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, and we all know how running back-friendly that scheme can be. On top of that, the team used a first-rounder on interior offensive lineman Grey Zabel, who is reportedly having a great camp.

Zach Charbonnet is still the backup to Kenneth Walker, but there’s a chance that the former UCLA standout gets more usage this season, as the coaching staff has been praising him all offseason. That gives Charbonnet standalone value, and we all know about his high upside. Just take a look at the high-end production he’s provided when Walker has missed time.

Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAX)

I came into the offseason preferring Tank Bigsby in this backfield, and while I still like him to have red-zone carries, Bhayshul Tuten looks like the better option in a Zero RB build. This is the type of pick where we’re trying to swing for the fences to hit a home run, so we’ll take the most explosive runner who was hand-picked by the new regime in Jacksonville.

We saw what Liam Coen did for the Bucs’ running game last season with Bucky Irving (and even Sean Tucker to some degree). Don’t be surprised if Tuten emerges as a late-season contributor, which can put your Zero RB team over the top once the fantasy playoffs roll around.

Dylan Sampson (RB – CLE)

While Quinshon Judkins has been away from the team (currently still unsigned), fellow rookie Dylan Sampson has been making an impact during camp. The former Tennessee standout put up 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in his junior year with the Volunteers. Don’t be surprised if Sampson has immediate standalone value in this backfield.

Even though the Browns project as one of the worst teams in the NFL, they should still have a competent offense with Joe Flacco under center. Having a pocket passer like Flacco bodes well for Sampson’s receiving upside. What’s great about this pick is that you have a player with an immediate role and upside for more.

Ollie Gordon (RB – MIA)

Ollie Gordon is a rookie running back who has supplanted Jaylen Wright as the No. 2 RB in Miami. With De’Von Achane dealing with a calf injury, Gordon has a chance to play an immediate role in this backfield. Let’s remember that this is a prospect who rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore at Oklahoma State.

Even though Achane is expected to be ready for Week 1, there’s a path for Gordon to take over the 2023 Raheem Mostert role, where he takes on goal-line carries to put less strain on the superstar starting running back. With that in mind, you’re once again getting ceiling and standalone value with this pick to round out your running back room.