Draft Strategy: Zero RB 🏈

What is the Zero RB draft strategy?

The Zero RB draft strategy has become a popular one among fantasy managers in recent years. It involves fantasy managers passing on running backs in the first few rounds. Instead, they stockpile elite wide receivers, secure a dominant tight end, and potentially lock up a top-tier quarterback.

This strategy requires extreme patience, as most elite fantasy running backs will be gone once you select your first one. But with top-tier options at other positions, hitting on some breakout RBs late can setup a championship-caliber roster that dominates opponents week after week.

Why Zero RB?

The primary reason fantasy managers opt for the Zero RB strategy in drafts is that running backs face the highest injury risk of any fantasy position, while elite wide receivers tend to be more consistent and durable throughout a season.

Running backs tend to carry more risk overall, especially since there are very few workhorse running backs in the NFL. Of the top-10 RBs selected in 2024 fantasy drafts, four of them could be considered busts (Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, Isiah Pacheco, and Travis Etienne Jr.).

Meanwhile, the WR position showed consistency. Only Marvin Harrison Jr. disappointed among the top-10 WRs selected in last year’s drafts, and most elite receivers stayed healthy throughout the year. Even Puka Nacua, despite missing time, averaged an elite 18.8 PPR points across 11 games.

The zero RB strategy is not without risk, but can give teams dominant ceilings. You just need to hit on RBs in the middle-to-late rounds, which is certainly possible. Last season, Chase Brown (RB10), Bucky Irving (RB13), and Chuba Hubbard (RB15) all finished as top-15 RBs despite going outside the top-100 in fantasy drafts.

How to Draft Zero RB

To demonstrate how this strategy works in practice, the projections team conducted a mock draft in the WalterPicks App. In this particular draft, we had the number five pick. Here are the results of those picks, as well as the thought process behind each one.

This is what a potential draft looks like using the Zero RB strategy:

1.05: WR CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

We knew we were going with a WR in the first round in this Zero RB approach. The choice boiled down to CeeDee Lamb versus Justin Jefferson at 1.05 — both elite game-breakers who've claimed the overall WR1 throne before.

With Walter ranking Lamb one spot higher, we grabbed the Cowboys superstar. We would have been thrilled with either selection.

2.08: TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

There's no single correct way to execute Zero RB, aside from avoiding running backs in the early rounds. That immediately eliminated Bucky Irving, James Cook, and Chase Brown from our list at 2.08.

The battle came down to Brock Bowers versus Walter's top-rated receiver, Ladd McConkey. Both are stellar picks, but the tight end position has a slight tier drop after Bowers and Trey McBride.

3.05: QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

There were some appealing WRs to select in Round 3. Davante Adams, Terry McLaurin, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Rashee Rice were all available at this spot. However, missing out on one of the top quarterbacks (Josh Allen, Jayden Daniels, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts) might have crippled our Zero RB foundation.

This strategy demands premium talent at stable positions. With quality receivers still available, Allen became our cornerstone.

4.08: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

After selecting a TE and QB in each of the past two rounds, it allowed us to focus on the WR position here. There’s no reason to double down on the QB/TE positions, and it’s still too early to take an RB in this strategy.

We wanted to continue adding to our WR room and did just that by taking Harrison. The Cardinals WR versus Garrett Wilson created back-and-forth, but Walter's draft comparison tool made the choice crystal clear.

5.05: RB David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

At this point in the draft, the RB position started to thin out, and there were not many viable options remaining.

So we took the David Montgomery at 5.05. He was Walter's top remaining back, and this is exactly where most fantasy managers should take their first RB in this Zero RB approach.

6.08: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

Landing our first RB last round provided crucial flexibility here. With uninspiring RB options like Pacheco and Rhamondre Stevenson available, pivoting to Tetairoa McMillan strengthened our WR depth.

Fantasy managers have to be patient in this zero RB strategy because sometimes the board does not fall the way you want. Be ready to pivot. I was hoping to land TreVeyon Henderson or Kaleb Johnson at 6.08, but both backs were taken earlier in Round 6.

7.05: RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

With just one RB through six rounds, grabbing another became mandatory. Waiting longer would've left us scrambling for scraps in the final rounds.

Jaylen Warren emerged as Walter's best remaining option at this point and is one of the few backs positioned to open the season as his team's primary runner.

8.08: RB Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders

Our roster construction stood at two RBs, three WRs, one QB, and one TE, allowing us to go multiple different directions. WRs like Jakobi Meyers and Stefon Diggs tempted us in Round 8.

However, fortifying our thinnest position group took priority. Brian Robinson Jr. provided the perfect complement to round out our backfield foundation.

RBs To Target When Using Zero RB: 

Hitting on two or three running backs in the middle-to-late round of drafts could be the difference between Zero RB brilliance and catastrophic failure. Having a clear target list becomes crucial for executing this high-risk, high-reward approach.

Here are the essential running back archetypes to target when deploying Zero RB:

James Conner: Has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and just finished as a top-10 fantasy RB in 2024

David Montgomery: Has finished as a top-20 fantasy RB in four of the past five years, a reliable RB2 option with a high fantasy floor.

Quinshon Judkins: Path to RB1 in Cleveland could help him break out in the second half

TreVeyon Henderson: Might face some competition for touches with Stevenson, but the Patriots already view him as a three-down back.

Javonte Williams: Potential RB1 on Cowboys offense that should rank toward the top of the league

Cam Skattebo: His receiving upside could help make an impact in Year 1. Tyrone Tracy Jr. also dealt with some fumbling issues as a rookie, which could limit his playing time if those problems persist.