After being out of style for a few years, running backs are back in the fantasy football spotlight. Last season, five running backs averaged over 20 PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, only two wide receivers over 20 fantasy points per game last year, with both needing to average over 100 receiving yards per contest to hit that mark.
Therefore, a Robust RB draft strategy will be a popular choice for fantasy players this year. However, Anchor RB is arguably the best draft strategy, especially in PPR leagues where fantasy players must start more than two wide receivers. This strategy allows fantasy players to take advantage of the elite running backs while building an impressive set of wide receivers to start every week.
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Fantasy Football Draft Strategy & Targets: Anchor RB
How should fantasy players execute an Anchor RB draft strategy? Let’s dive into how to build an ideal roster using this strategy.
What is an Anchor RB Draft Strategy?
First and foremost, fantasy players should only use the Anchor RB strategy in PPR scoring leagues. I would highly recommend not using this strategy in non-PPR scoring leagues, as the core of your team should be built around the running back position.
Everyone has heard of the Zero RB draft strategy. However, unlike in Zero RB, fantasy players don’t completely ignore the running back position with Anchor RB. Instead, fantasy players use their first-round pick on a superstar running back and then wait until the middle rounds to draft their RB2.
Fantasy players can use this strategy and wait until the second round to draft a running back as their Anchor RB. However, that is a risky move, as the anchor running backs could quickly come off the board and force you to change strategy during the draft.
Yet, fantasy players with a late draft slot could take a running back with their second-round pick, depending on how the board falls if a wide receiver they love is still available when they pick in the first round.
That said, the ideal Anchor RB draft strategy is taking a superstar running back with your first round pick. Then fantasy players spend their next five to six picks on other positions, targeting multiple wide receivers, an elite quarterback or tight end, or both.
Ideally, fantasy players enter the sixth round of their draft with their anchor running back, all of their starting wide receiver spots filled, either an elite quarterback or tight end, and a locked-in weekly flex option.
Who Should I Target as My RB1?
While an Anchor RB draft strategy sounds awesome, it does come with risk. Your anchor running back can’t be a bust. If he is a bust, your team will have little chance of making the playoffs. Therefore, fantasy players want to avoid a running back with age, injury, or workload concerns as their anchor.
Last year, Christian McCaffrey was the highest scoring running back and player in PPR scoring, averaging 24.5 fantasy points per game, totaling 413 touches for the season. The superstar scored 41.6 more fantasy points than anyone else. However, McCaffrey has an extensive injury history, including missing 23 games over the following two years, the last time he had over 400 touches in a season (2019).
Similarly, fantasy players want to avoid Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley as their anchor running back because of age and past workload. Ideally, fantasy players have a top draft slot when using this strategy, allowing them to pick Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs, as the superstars are the top two running backs in the NFL. However, my favorite running back target when having a late draft slot and using this strategy is James Cook.
Despite splitting the goal-line touchdown role with Josh Allen, Cook has scored 28 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons, totaling 12 or more both years. Furthermore, he has improved his PPR fantasy points per game average in three consecutive seasons, going from 13.7 in 2023, to 16.7 in 2024, to 17.8 in 2025. While the former Georgia star probably won’t finish as a top-three running back this year, Cook is guaranteed to finish top-10 barring an unlikely injury.
How Should I Build the Rest of My Team?
I briefly touched on how to build the rest of your fantasy football roster earlier. However, things can change when playing in a superflex league. Depending on how fast the elite quarterbacks come off the board, fantasy players might want to wait until the second round of their draft to select their anchor running back. For example, if you are picking sixth in a 12-team superflex draft, you should only pass on an elite quarterback for Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs.
If the two superstar running backs have been drafted, pivot to an elite quarterback like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. Then, fantasy players can grab their anchor running back in the second round.
From there, fantasy players should draft their second quarterback in the third or fourth round while adding a top-15 wide receiver. Unfortunately, that means sacrificing on an elite tight end and waiting until the middle rounds to address the position.
In a single-quarterback league, fantasy players should prioritize loading up on wide receivers, especially when you have three starting spots and a flex slot in your starting lineup. I would also prioritize an elite tight end, Brock Bowers or Trey McBride, over a top-tier quarterback.
Ideally, fantasy players have their anchor running back, four wide receivers, and an elite tight end with their first six picks. The only time I would grab an elite quarterback and tight end when using the Anchor RB strategy is if my league has two starting wide receiver spots and one flex slot.
After loading up on pass catchers and a potential quarterback with five of their first six picks, fantasy players should turn their attention back to the running back position. However, never force a draft pick, meaning don’t take a lower valued running back over a higher valued wide receiver simply because the strategy calls for it. You always want to draft the best value with every pick, regardless of position, even when using an Anchor RB strategy.
RB2 Draft Targets
The anchor running back fantasy players draft will be a set it and forget it guy in their weekly lineups. However, their RB2 slot will be a rotation of guys fantasy players will draft over the middle and late rounds. Ideally, fantasy players want to draft two or three running backs between the seventh and 10th rounds while still adding another wide receiver to their roster. Fantasy players can also draft a quarterback in this range if the value makes sense.
More importantly, fantasy players need to draft a variety of running backs during the middle rounds. You want a balance of high upside players and safe floor options. Ideally, fantasy players draft two safe floor running backs and one high upside option in the middle rounds. That mix will give fantasy players a solid combination of floor and upside for their RB2 spot.
Let’s look at some of my favorite mid-round running backs to pick when using an Anchor RB draft strategy according to FantasyPros’ PPR ADP.
Tony Pollard (TEN) – ADP 77.5 | RB29
The Titans’ offense should be better this year after hiring Brian Daboll as their offensive coordinator. Yet, Pollard was solid last year despite a dysfunctional offense, finishing as the RB23, averaging 10.9 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he ended the season on fire, ranking as the RB10 from Week 14 through Week 17, averaging 113 rushing yards and 17 fantasy points per contest. While Nicholas Singleton could be the future star in the backfield, expect Tennessee to run the wheels off Pollard during the final year of his contract.
Rico Dowdle (PIT) – ADP 92.5 | RB33
After having no fantasy value early in his career, Dowdle has finished as an RB2 or better in back-to-back seasons. While he will be on his third team in three years, the veteran is back with Mike McCarthy. Dowdle had his breakout season in 2024 with McCarthy in Dallas, averaging 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and 12.4 PPR fantasy points per game despite having only two rushing touchdowns. While he will split the work with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, Dowdle should be the lead guy on the ground.
Jonathon Brooks (CAR) – ADP 101.5 | RB35
Let’s talk about my favorite upside running back draft target. Unfortunately, Brooks has played in only three games in his two-year NFL career because of two torn ACLs. His college career ended in 2023 because of the first torn ACL. Then, the former Texas star re-tore the same ligament during his rookie season after missing the first 10 games. Yet, the Panthers have high hopes for Brooks this year. Reportedly, he is getting healthy and could push Chuba Hubbard for snaps sooner than later, making him a potential league winner.
Late-Round RB Draft Targets
Every fantasy player knows that you should target high upside players in the later rounds of your draft. Drafting a floor player, especially at running back, is borderline setting a pick on fire. They will likely never make it into your lineup, and if they do, your roster is in bad shape. Furthermore, you are likely to cut that player after Week 1 for someone off the waiver wire.
Therefore, fantasy players should target high upside and potential league winners in the later rounds, especially when using an Anchor RB strategy. Furthermore, fantasy players should prioritize handcuffing their anchor running back when a clear-cut option is available.
For example, fantasy players who drafted Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson will want to pick their handcuffs, Isiah Pacheco (150.5/RB47) and Brian Robinson Jr. (173.5/RB53), at least a round earlier than their ADP to guarantee they secure the backup running back with massive upside.
Let’s look at some of my favorite non-handcuff late-round running backs to pick when using an Anchor RB draft strategy according to FantasyPros’ PPR ADP.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) – ADP 129.5 | RB42
Croskey-Merritt never lived up to the hype last season, averaging 10.8 touches and 8.3 PPR fantasy points per game as a rookie. However, he ended his rookie year playing well, averaging 75.3 rushing yards, 1.3 touchdowns, and 15.3 fantasy points per game from Week 15 through Week 17. While Washington added Rachaad White and Kaytron Allen this offseason, Croskey-Merritt has the most upside of anyone in Washington’s backfield and could be a steal at his ADP, making him one of my top targets when using the Anchor RB strategy.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (JAC) – ADP 136.5 | RB43
Jacksonville lost Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency. Yet, they didn’t use any draft capital on a running back. While everyone is excited to draft Bhayshul Tuten, don’t forget about Rodriguez. He spent time with head coach Liam Coen at Kentucky. Furthermore, Rodriguez won’t be a bench warmer for the Jaguars, as the team used a two-headed approach last season. Meanwhile, Rodriguez was arguably the Washington Commanders’ best running back in 2025, averaging 12.8 PPR fantasy points per game in the four contests with 12 or more rushing attempts.
Jonah Coleman (DEN) – ADP 161.5 | RB51
While Denver’s backfield is arguably the messiest in fantasy football, Coleman is one of my favorite late-round targets. Not only is he the cheapest Broncos’ running back to draft, but the rookie has a chance to be the lead guy before Halloween. RJ Harvey struggled as a rookie, averaging 3.7 yards and 0.66 PPR fantasy points per rushing attempt. Meanwhile, J.K. Dobbins has significant injury history, missing 53.5% of the regular-season games in his career, including seven last year. Coleman averaged 1.31 fantasy points per touch last season at Washington.
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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.