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Dave identifies six Zero RB fantasy football running backs to target in drafts. Zero RB drafters should consider these players in 2025 drafts: Jordan Mason, Travis Etienne, Najee Harris, Brian Robinson Jr., Tony Pollard.
The Zero RB fantasy football draft strategy has become very popular in recent years. It applies mainly to full PPR leagues and those where you can start three or more wide receivers. The idea is that you build a strong enough advantage at other positions (mainly wide receiver) to offset your weakness at running back. Part of this strategy also involves drafting the correct “high upside” running backs later in drafts and aggressively playing the waiver wire.
As a result of this strategy becoming more popular (as well as a more keen awareness of the running back dead zone), we’ve seen more running backs fall further down draft boards than we were accustomed to seeing in years past. While this is true, you can still find some great values later in drafts when taking a zero RB approach. But which running backs in 2025 are the ideal targets? Today, we will examine six middle-round running backs (based on FFPC ADP) to consider drafting if you take a Zero RB approach.
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Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
FFPC ADP: 64.9 Overall
Johnson was a polarizing prospect in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Many doubters expressed concerns over his athleticism and were quick to point out that he had the luxury of playing behind a very good offensive line at the University of Iowa.
However, despite the concerns, Johnson was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the 83rd pick in the 2025 #NFLDraft, we select RB Kaleb Johnson. pic.twitter.com/bGIsBRDAQl
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 26, 2025
Johnson saw most of his success come in a zone-blocking rush scheme. Fortunately for Johnson, he found the ideal landing spot with the Steelers.
Kaleb Johnson was most successful in a zone-blocking scheme.
The #Steelers ran the 2nd most zone-blocking runs in the NFL last year per @FantasyPtsData 👀
This is a GREAT landing spot and Johnson is about to prove all his haters wrong. #fantasyfootball #nfldraft25
— Dave Ventresca (@FF_Stallion) April 26, 2025
The Steelers use zone-blocking concepts on the vast majority of their runs. Johnson could not have landed in a better situation. Concerns about his athleticism are overblown. We have seen many backs not test as elite athletes and go on to have strong careers.
He also posted some strong advanced metrics in college. Among 156 collegiate rushers with at least 100 attempts, Johnson ranked 13th in PFF elusive rating, 10th in missed tackles forced, and 24th in PFF rushing grade. Make no mistake about it, he is a very talented back.
.@steelers @HawkeyeFootball. @KJ_Superman2 Kaleb is a Big Powerful RB that ran from a pro style offense. Easy to project to the NFL. #HereWeGo #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/y3gdpFVl2P
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 26, 2025
Johnson landed in an ideal situation with the Steelers. He is a good bet to return back-end RB1/high-end RB2 production and has sneaky upside as a receiver. Take advantage of his cost in your drafts this year because this might be the last time you can get Johnson this cheap for quite some time.
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
FFPC ADP: 72.1 Overall
Pollard posted his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024. He set a new career high with 1,079 rushing yards and scored five rushing touchdowns as well. Pollard would finish the 2024 season as the overall RB21.
Tony Pollard the Titan!
📺: #TENvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/gFFLVKU9pG— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
While that was all good, the six-year veteran did average only 4.15 yards per carry last year. It was a far cry from his best days with the Dallas Cowboys, but it was an improvement compared to his 2023 mark of 3.99 yards per carry. Several of his advanced metrics also improved compared to his 2023 season. Among 46 backs with 100+ attempts in 2024, Pollard finished:
Sixth in yards after contact per attempt, per Fantasy Points Data Suite
15th in missed tackles forced, per Fantasy Points Data Suite
18th in explosive run percentage, per Fantasy Points Data Suite
26th in rush yards over expected, per Next Gen Stats
Pollard is not the same player we saw during his best days with the Dallas Cowboys. But he proved last year he isn't totally washed and can still be a useful fantasy option.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan has indicated he would like to see more of an even split between Pollard and third-year back Tyjae Spears. However, Callahan said this same thing heading into the season last year, only to give Pollard the majority of touches.
All of this makes Pollard a fine target for gamers who deploy a Zero RB approach.
Najee Harris, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
FFPC ADP: 89.8 Overall
Harris signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason. The former Pittsburgh Steeler got a lot of hate during his time in the Steel City, but Harris was reliable and consistent. He never missed a game and broke the 1,000-yard mark every year in Pittsburgh. That feat puts him in unique company.
RBs with 1,000+ Rush Yards in each of their first 4 NFL seasons since 2000:
2001-04 LaDainian Tomlinson
2002-05 Clinton Portis
2007-10 Adrian Peterson
2008-11 Chris Johnson
2021-24 Najee Harris pic.twitter.com/Tg51d0fiOy— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 17, 2025
His advanced metrics have also been quite strong over the last two years. Let’s take a look at how he did in 2023 and 2024. (Data is courtesy of PFF and Fantasy Points Data Suite.)
2024 (Among 46 backs with 100+ carries)
18th in PFF Rushing Grade
16th in Elusive Rating
Eighth in missed tackles forced (MTF)
15th in missed tackles forced per attempt (MTF/ATT)
Ninth in yards after contact (YACO)
2023 (Among 49 backs with 100+ carries)
17th in PFF Rushing Grade
14th in Elusive Rating
Eighth in Missed Tackles Forced (MTF)
19th in Missed Tackles Forced Per Attempt (MTF/ATT)
Fourth in Yards After Contact
Harris has scored well in a variety of metrics, and it suggests he might be better than his career 3.9 yards per carry indicates. He gets an immediate offensive line upgrade in Los Angeles and could see a spike in efficiency as a result.
However, the Chargers did draft running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Hampton is a supremely talented player and will likely take over this backfield sooner rather than later. So, Harris' time atop the depth chart is likely short-lived.
However, Harris can be an excellent early-season play for Zero RB drafters. He should receive the majority of touches to start the year and can be a fine option to help Zero RB managers get off to a fast start while they wait for other in-season options to emerge.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
FFPC ADP: 91st overall
Robinson missed three games due to injury in 2024, yet still posted career highs in yards per carry, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. He would finish the season as the PPR RB29.
Blink and you'll miss this Brian Robinson Jr. 39-yard touchdown run! 💨💨💨
(via @Commanders)pic.twitter.com/lyUFktrr72
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 1, 2024
The fourth-year back is more of a plodder, but he’s been a solid player during his first three seasons. Washington did not make any noteworthy additions to the running back room this offseason. Austin Ekeler, Robinson’s main competition for touches, turned 30 years old in May and has looked washed up during the last two seasons.
The runway is clear for Robinson to remain Washington’s lead back, and he should continue to see an efficiency boost playing alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels. It won’t always be pretty, but Robinson should return RB2 production with back-end RB1 upside.
At this ADP, he’s a nice value and is a solid choice for gamers who go with a zero running back approach in their draft.
Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
FFPC ADP: 98.5 Overall
Throughout the offseason, I have been a very vocal Etienne critic. Even though the Jaguars traded up to acquire Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team was supposedly ready to draft running back Ashton Jeanty if it was unable to land Hunter.
It was also reported that Jacksonville was ready to select RJ Harvey before the Denver Broncos beat it to the punch. The Jaguars would then draft Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, and the new regime is reportedly quite bullish on him.
Etienne is also coming off a poor 2024 season where fellow back Tank Bigsby outplayed him. This all sounded like bad news for Etienne. However, recent comments from head coach Liam Coen suggest Etienne might be in a better spot with the new staff than initially thought and have me questioning my original stance.
#Jaguars HC Liam Coen on Travis Etienne:
"He's done everything we've asked him to do, and more. There's been a consistency. He can shine in ways in space… He’s done a great job. I don’t really understand some of the stuff I’ve kind of seen out there. That’s absolutely… pic.twitter.com/31HoOBWrH2
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 2, 2025
Etienne has his flaws, but he does have an RB3 finish in 2023 to his name. While Jacksonville may have initially wanted to replace Etienne, it’s possible it watched a few days of practice and has concluded that Etienne is the best option.
If that is the case and Etienne will be Coen’s RB1, then it makes him an ideal Zero RB candidate this year. Even still, this is a very difficult backfield to project, and drafting Etienne does carry risk even at a reduced price. It might behoove gamers to also select Bigsby or Tuten a few rounds after Etienne, just to cover themselves in the event he struggles again and is overtaken as the starter.
Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
FFPC ADP: 105.8 Overall
The San Francisco 49ers traded Mason to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason. At the time, it seemed like an out-of-nowhere move. Based on Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s comments, though, Mason could be a big part of Minnesota’s running game.
The Jordan Mason touchdown managers were waiting for!
He has 93 yards and a TD so far! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lhubclHsVx
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) September 10, 2024
Mason filled in nicely for Christian McCaffrey last year. In 12 games, he ran for 789 yards and three touchdowns before suffering an ankle injury that ended his season. Some of Mason’s advanced metrics were also quite good. Among 46 backs with 100 carries, Mason finished third in Next Gen Stats' rush yards over expected per attempt (RYOE/ATT), 10th in PFF elusive rating, and 19th in PFF rushing grade.
Mason now enters a situation where he should get more consistent touches as part of a backfield committee with Aaron Jones. Minnesota has made it clear that it acquired Mason to help keep Jones fresh. So, Mason should be in line for plenty of work. He is one of the top handcuffs available and would be in line for a starter’s workload if Jones ever goes down. Mason should provide some standalone value for gamers as well.
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