Zero RB builds are viable in fantasy football this season. The strategy leans on wide receivers as the primary scorers, especially in PPR formats and leagues that start three or more receivers. I recommend drafting your first running back around round six. Waiting any longer increases the risk of missing out on an RB1. It is not ideal to rely on two backups or rotational players as your starters. This approach works only when you target the right profiles. This article highlights four running backs who can support a Zero RB build.
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Zero RB Fantasy Football Strategy Running Backs to Target
Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)
A mid‑round Zero RB build benefits from players who offer volume, receiving work and a path to RB1 production, and Quinshon Judkins fits that profile better than most. He handled meaningful work as a rookie before a late‑season ankle and fibula injury ended his season. Cleveland cleared him months ago, and camp reports confirm he is fully healthy with his explosiveness intact.
The Browns rebuilt their offensive line with five new starters, a major upgrade for a back with Judkins’ workload profile. He was a natural receiver out of the backfield at Ohio State, giving him a weekly floor most mid‑round backs lack. His RB26 finish in PPR formats came without a full season, and without the improved line he’ll run behind this year.
Judkins is being drafted in the sixth round, the exact range Zero RB managers need to hit value. You’re getting a back with passing‑game usage, a defined role and legitimate RB1 upside at a price normally reserved for committee players. If you wait on running backs, Judkins is one of the few who can deliver starter‑level production without early‑round investment.
Jadarian Price (RB – SEA)
It was clear when Jadarian Price was drafted that he would carry the majority of the workload in Seattle. The Seahawks drafted him in the first round to replace Kenneth Walker III, and the team has treated him like a starter from the jump. Even after splitting work at Notre Dame, Price earned first‑round draft capital, and his downhill running style matches what Seattle wants on early downs.
With Zach Charbonnet recovering from a January ACL injury, Price is expected to open the season as the lead back. Even when Charbonnet returns, the coaching staff has made it clear Price is the focal point of the run game. Seattle has a long history of producing fantasy‑relevant running backs, and Price steps into an offense designed to give him steady volume.
The rookie’s seventh‑round average draft position (ADP) is ideal for Zero RB builds. That range usually produces rotational backs, not rookies with a locked-in workload and RB1 upside. Price pairs well with Judkins on your fantasy roster because he brings early‑down stability and efficient downhill running. He is unproven, but the opportunity is not. Landing a potential RB1 in the seventh round is exactly how Zero RB managers gain an edge.
David Montgomery (RB – HOU)
With a stable workload and an undervalued draft price, David Montgomery is a clear choice to draft in the middle rounds. The Texans were one of the league’s weakest rushing teams last season, and their offseason moves made it clear they wanted a veteran to stabilize the backfield. Montgomery signed a two‑year deal and immediately became the centerpiece of their run game.
Montgomery has shown he can handle volume throughout his career, including a top‑five PPR finish in Chicago. While that ceiling is unlikely to repeat, his floor remains one of the most stable in the league. Houston rebuilt its offensive line after a rough 2025 season, and Montgomery’s physical style fits the offense they want to run. He also brings more receiving ability than his Detroit usage suggested, adding value in PPR formats.
Montgomery is being drafted as early as the seventh round, yet he walks into a workload most teams reserve for their No. 1 RB. He will handle early downs, short‑yardage work and goal‑line carries. Woody Marks may see passing‑game snaps, but Montgomery is the player Houston trusts in high‑leverage situations. He can be drafted as your RB1 in a Zero RB build without hesitation. You’re getting guaranteed touches, a rebuilt line and top‑16 potential at a mid‑round price.
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)
D’Andre Swift is one of the simplest mid-round running backs to trust because his role in Chicago is secure and his skill set is built for PPR scoring. He is the undisputed starter, and the Bears have made it clear they want the offense to run through their primary playmakers. Swift’s receiving ability gives him a weekly floor few mid‑round backs can match.
When healthy, Swift produces like an RB1. Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai sit behind him on the depth chart, but neither threatens his workload. Swift will handle most touches, including passing‑game work, which is where his fantasy value spikes. He has always been one of the league’s most efficient receiving backs, a trait that fits a Zero RB roster build perfectly.
Swift’s average draft position is in the seventh round, which is excellent value for a player with RB1 upside. You’re getting a starting running back with a proven PPR profile, a clear path to volume and a role that should remain stable all season. Swift gives Zero RB managers reliable receiving production, a secure workload and a price that does not require early‑round investment.
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