Zero RB Targets and Implications in Fantasy Football
Zero RB has evolved from a niche concept into a widely recognized draft strategy, even among more casual fantasy players. At its core, it’s a structural bet: fade the most fragile position early, prioritize upside at wide receiver, quarterback, and tight end, and then load up on running backs later, when uncertainty and chaos can work in your favor.
The approach has traditionally been more common in redraft leagues, but with the rise of best ball tournaments and a growing number of drafters following similar builds, Zero RB is once again a sharp way to gain leverage. It may carry risk, but that risk forces discipline and creativity — two things that can make all the difference in large-field formats.
Early Round Applications
Running backs have started to claw back some early-round market share in 2025, making up 36.1% of the first 36 picks according to Underdog ADP, a jump from last year’s 25%, though still well below the 44–50% range we saw as recently as 2022. Even with that increase, executing a true Zero RB strategy in 12-team leagues remains difficult and is often better suited for tournament formats where uniqueness matters more.
A “Hero RB” approach may be more realistic given the current ADP landscape. In best ball, where waiver wire access doesn’t exist, missing out on the first 18–20 backs or loading up in the dreaded middle-round “dead zone” can leave your roster starved for reliable production, something that gets overlooked when chasing structure over player value.
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