Top 10 Fantasy Football Running Backs for Zero-RB Builds (2025)

John's top 10 Zero RB fantasy football running backs to target in drafts. His top draft picks for Zero-RB builds, including RJ Harvey, Bhayshul Tuten, and more.

The zero-RB strategy, despite its flaws, will never cease to be one of the most popular team-building strategies in existence for fantasy football managers. It makes sense because most leagues have Point Per Reception, or PPR, scoring systems, in which a catch counts for a full point, the equivalent of gaining 10 yards.

This makes receivers the primary targets for zero-RB drafters, because wide receivers, of course, catch the ball a lot more than running backs on average. Last season, this strategy didn't work out well for fantasy managers, but that was primarily due to the position being decimated by injuries.

This season, there are a lot of intriguing targets for zero-RB builds, though. It's not a terrible idea to focus heavily on receivers early on. But it's important to keep in mind that there's plenty of risk in drafting an unbalanced team. Either way, let's dive into the top-10 zero-RB running backs for 2025!

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No. 10: Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers

I'm not a big fan of Harris, nor would I be excited about drafting him. Good thing for us, the single person most excited about Harris is likely Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Roman is known for being an extremely run-heavy offensive coordinator, and the Chargers are paying Harris $5 million for one season.

To think that rookie back Omarion Hampton will immediately dominate the team's touches is probably misguided. L.A. isn't interested in paying such money for a running back to do absolutely nothing. Instead, we'll likely see the two operate in some kind of split. Harris could benefit from being the lead back early on.

Greg Roman on Najee Harris:
"I’m blown away… His knowledge, movement, ability—it’s exciting." 👀💥

Looks like the Chargers might’ve unlocked something special. ⚡️ #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/1YE70B7nUU

— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) June 9, 2025

Whatever your opinions are about Roman, it makes sense that an OC that wants to run the ball as much as possible would be happy to have two RBs that could technically serve as workhorses independently. It's unclear how they'll split snaps, but early in the season, veteran experience will be valuable.

Harris is the one who has the experience, not Hampton. As the season goes on and Hampton acclimates more and more to playing in the big leagues, I expect him to edge out Harris in total workload, but we could see Harris as the goal-line back for most of the season, and that's valuable in fantasy football.

No. 9: MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers

Of course, Lloyd could easily have another season be a complete wash if he's not able to overcome the injury issues that stole basically his entire rookie season. Still, he seems like a good dart throw in the very late rounds. A big part of this is that he's on a team that has a productive offense every year.

However, upon examining his usage in 2024, it appears that people are underestimating his potential to earn a very solid volume. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has always preferred to use a committee-style system for his running back rooms. We saw it every year in Green Bay until 2024.

I'm not convinced that the Packers won't have more of a committee backfield in 2025. They always did (before 2024) under Matt LaFleur, even though AJ Dillon sucks. 2 UDFAs and Jacobs were the only healthy RBs in 2024. And Aaron Jones >>> Dillon. pic.twitter.com/avg43eslFm

— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) March 6, 2025

Many fantasy football managers, likely primarily those invested in Packers RB Josh Jacobs, contend that LaFleur has always wanted to use a workhorse RB, but Aaron Jones was so injury-prone that MLF wanted to constantly limit his usage. I sincerely doubt that.

They also say that the undrafted free-agent backs the Packers had, like Emanuel Wilson, were actually really good, and better than Lloyd. Thus Jacobs' usage is indicative of LaFleur's real intent to keep using Jacobs as a workhorse until the wheels fall off. Again, I think that's incorrect.

I know everyone's given up on MarShawn Lloyd, but he had 7 touches in just 14% of snaps in Week 2, the only game he played in. Matt LaFleur ran a committee backfield every season except in 2024, when Lloyd got hurt and the other RBs were UDFAs. I think Lloyd surprises in 2025. pic.twitter.com/V6HJYhy6xO

— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) June 17, 2025

Even if Lloyd only gets 10 or so touches per game, the effectiveness of the Packers offense, the pass-catching volume he could get, and his own talent, which is unheralded, could make him a nice flex player or even RB2.

No. 8: Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys

Blue is a raw talent right now, owing partly to the fact that he's so young. But he's currently on a team that has no other good players at running back, unless seventh-round pick RB Phil Mafah surprises everyone. Veteran running backs Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams are not good players.

Blue is easily the best pass-catching back on the team. He's a great route-runner out of the backfield, has good hands, and has elite athleticism. He can outrun linebackers and even many defensive backs -- he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Combine.

#Cowboys Jaydon Blue as a receiver compared to the rest of the rookie class:

⭐️ 41 receptions (6th)
⭐️ 365 receiving yards (5th)
⭐️ 6 receiving touchdowns (1st)
⭐️ 400 yards after contact (7th)
⭐️ 22 receiving first downs (3rd)

Blue is more than just as an explosive runner. https://t.co/4k8idBOkei pic.twitter.com/pMyJ1WmLPz

— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) May 1, 2025

Based on this alone, he's already the best running back in Dallas. And that makes him a good late-round dart throw. The Cowboys have had a good offense pretty much every season of QB Dak Prescott's career when he hasn't been injured. Blue will step into a nice environment.

It could take him some time to earn more snaps, but he should earn the trust of Prescott as a pass-catcher pretty quickly. The Cowboys will likely lean heavily into the passing game, and the role of safety valve could be nice. If he develops well as a rusher, he could get plenty of volume there, too.

No. 7: Brashard Smith*, Kansas City Chiefs

There's an asterisk here because it generally takes about half the season for rookies to break out in Chiefs head coach Andy Reid's offenses, unfortunately. But I've made my case for Smith a million times. He's the best receiving back in this class and is an elite athlete.

of course Andy Reid just got one of the best receiving RBs in the class who doubles as a special teams returning ace

RB Brashard Smith:

#1 in class 25% target rate on his routes

#2 in class 1.68 yards per route run

#1 in class with 1,317 return yards

4.39 40-yard dash

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 26, 2025

What most people don't seem to know is that the team's other two backs from last season, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, were both terrible in 2024. Pacheco was bad even before his injury and showcased very poor efficiency. That's often a leading factor in backs losing a significant amount of their volume.

I’m hoping we get this version of Pacheco in 2025! ❤️‍🔥

I’m not sold on him this year just yet, but not everyone bounces back from injury at the same pace. 🤕

With a full offseason to reset, I really hope we see him back to making plays like these! 💥🏃‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/abIpiF2ERD

— Daily Chiefs (@Daily_Chiefs_) June 11, 2025

Far too often, running backs have big fall-offs in efficiency when their team's run-blocking goes from top-tier to just mediocre. Sometimes, offensive lines deserve most of the credit for RBs having fantastic efficiency seasons. I believe this is the case with Pacheco. His highlight reel is full of huge lanes to run through.

Either way, he's not a good pass-catching back. Hunt is just awful, and Chiefs depth running back Elijah Mitchell is in his fifth season now -- RBs just don't break out that late in their careers, even if they had a lot of injuries. Smith should be the guy you take in the very late rounds.

No. 6: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

Even if the Titans don't have a great offense, Pollard was so good playing through contact and gaining more yards than the play gave him that he should at least have another solid season in 2025. If the offensive line can even make decent improvements in run-blocking, Pollard stands to benefit greatly.

Tough to bring down!

RB Leaders by Total Rushing Yards After Contact [2024]

1. Derrick Henry (854)
2. Saquon Barkley (780)
3. Josh Jacobs (776)
4. Bijan Robinson (772)
5. Tony Pollard (718)
6. Chuba Hubbard (676)
7. Kyren Williams (662) pic.twitter.com/FsuHkphKUY

— Fantasy Points Data (@FantasyPtsData) June 14, 2025

Pollard had games last season where he had negative yards before contact, and he still played well in some of those contests. He was, on average, being hit behind the line of scrimmage on each play. In addition, the leg injury that made his 2023 season disappointing is well behind him.

He struggled with injury issues last season, but he's still a good player to target here.

No. 5: Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings

Vikings RB Aaron Jones was absolutely awful in short-yardage and goal-line situations last season. Mason is likely to take that role from him almost immediately, while Jones maintains his role as a passing-down back. The numbers for Jones back up these claims.

Aaron Jones in 2025:

-Inside the 10-yard line: 0.3 yards per carry
-Inside the 5-yard line: -0.2 yards per carry

Jones was awful in these short yardage situations. Mason should have at least 8 rush TDs in 2025.

Stay away from Jones in fantasy in 2025.https://t.co/k1hYDOY9Y2 pic.twitter.com/0Q4RzA6nNG

— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) April 6, 2025

They are irredeemably trash. Mason, conversely, was great in these exact situations. The Vikings shouldn't have as much trouble punching the ball in the end zone this season. Jones is seemingly constantly dealing with injuries -- if he gets hurt, Mason could have a few workhorse games, and we know how those could go.

No. 4: Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle's new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, has made it a point that he plans on getting Walker the ball as much as possible. Of course, his own injury issues and the bad state of the Seahawks' offensive line every season could easily put a cap on Walker's upside.

Most Elusive RBs In The NFL?

RB Leaders by Missed Tackles Forced per Attempt (2024)

[+ min. 155 carries]

1. Kenneth Walker (0.30)
2. James Conner (0.29)
3. Bucky Irving (0.26)
4. Derrick Henry (0.21)
T5. James Cook (0.20)
T5. Bijan Robinson (0.20) pic.twitter.com/0EHgGIABGR

— Fantasy Points Data (@FantasyPtsData) June 17, 2025

But Walker averaged forcing a missed tackle on nearly a third of his carries. He's an elite athlete with solid receiving upside on a team with a quarterback that struggles mightily under pressure -- Sam Darnold. He could often use Walker as a safety valve.

Kenneth Walkerpic.twitter.com/tDWOfhDS64 https://t.co/nbK48SMDm0

— Dataroma (@ffdataroma) June 4, 2025

If he can stay healthy and Kubiak can scheme around the garbage that is Seattle's offensive line, Walker could have a very nice season. In PPR, he has very good upside as a pass-catcher.

No. 3: Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars

Before discussing Tuten, let's discuss the other Jaguars running backs. Travis Etienne Jr. is somehow still expected to lead this backfield. The evidence for this is his RB3 PPR finish in 2023. But overall numbers can be very misleading. He averaged just 3.8 yards per carry that season.

Refusing to look at efficiency stats can leave you baffled when workhorse RBs lose their jobs. The NFL cares about efficiency, though. Running backs averaging under four yards per carry are not good for their offenses. More importantly, Etienne averaged 3.7 YPC in 2024 -- not that much worse!

Travis Etienne actually averaged nearly the same yards per carry in 2024 (RB35 finish) that he did in 2023 (RB3 finish). This is why it's so dangerous to trust RBs who have terrible efficiency. You're reliant on huge volume and TDs to make up for it. pic.twitter.com/g8pCV6QV1h

— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) May 25, 2025

Specifically, he averaged just 0.06 YPC less in 2024 than 2023. So his actual regression was only in volume, which shouldn't be a surprise. Why would an offensive coordinator get excited about feeding the hell out of a back that returns so little?

Tank Bigsby, on the other hand, is not a good pass-catching back at all. He has virtually zero upside there. He's good at gaining yards after contact, though he does have a fumbling issue. Still, he has a better shot at getting meaningful volume than Etienne, it seems.

Tank Bigsby pic.twitter.com/a5bCdvpGWD

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 25, 2025

LeQuint Allen Jr. was drafted in the seventh round by the Jaguars. He's a great pass-protector, but not a good athlete. However, Tuten ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash. That's faster than Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen is likely salivating at the chance to give Tuten volume.

Bhayshul Tuten is elusive all around but was notably productive up the middle at VT pic.twitter.com/Urax9F1lfV

— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) May 14, 2025

Not only does he have game-bustingly elite speed, but he was the best runner in between the tackles in the 2025 NFL Draft class, accounting for all the stats listed above. On inside runs, he forced missed tackles at a 22 percent higher rate than Ashton Jeanty.

Tuten is also a good pass-catcher, and with the ball in his hands, he is far quicker and more elusive than any other RB on the Jags squad. He should be a priority late-round pick in your drafts this season. The potential for a league-winning year is absolutely there, and I think he can easily finish as an RB1 if he gets enough volume.

No. 2: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Conner is a great zero-RB target every year, yet his ADP never seems to align with his productivity on a per-game basis. He also usually plays lights-out in the fantasy playoffs. The downside is that he's 30 years old with a long injury history and tends to miss multiple games every season.

But that's the risk you take when you go zero-RB, and Conner has proven again and again that he's worthy of taking in the fourth round or later. When he's on the field, he'll likely get 20 or more touches per game, the majority of the goal-line carries, and have nice receiving work to go along with it.

James Conner’s longevity needs to be studied. Best RB we’ve had since David Johnson pic.twitter.com/6zNUzKb0Op

— Maserati Marv 🏎️ (fan) (@MHJera_) June 2, 2025

Conner is a wizard at creating with the ball in his hands. He still forces missed tackles at a very high rate, so even when his team's run-blocking isn't great, he can produce nicely. He's still a must-start when healthy, yet is being slept on yet again.

No. 1: RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

I've been in love with Harvey as a prospect since February of this year. After thoroughly analyzing his film and seeing where he landed in the 2025 NFL Draft, I have confidence that he'll finish as the best-scoring RB in PPR points per game among all rookie RBs. Yes, better than Jeanty.

Harvey is an elite athlete with elite elusiveness and explosive play ability. He also has great receiving upside and carried UCF's offense on his back in 2024. He averaged an absurd 6.8 yards per carry last season, often putting up monster numbers against Power Four conference schools.

Unlike Quinshon Judkins, who often had very poor games at Ohio State against good competition, even with great run blocking, RJ Harvey just smashed every P4 team he played against in 2024. Not a bad game in his game log here, and he didn't have TreVeyon Henderson to spell him. pic.twitter.com/W5coQxT70V

— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) June 3, 2025

Yes, the Broncos did sign J.K. Dobbins, but Harvey is better than him in every way that's most fantasy football relevant, according to my film analysis, both as a rusher and receiver. Dobbins is a better pass protector, and that's likely a big reason they signed him.

Dobbins had eight games with under four yards per carry in 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers. No team wanted to sign him until June. So I doubt he takes many touches away from Harvey. Neither should Audric Estime nor Jaleel McLaughlin, who were both terrible last season.

Harvey should quickly become Denver head coach Sean Payton's "Joker," and my analysis indicates that he will win leagues in all formats in 2025.

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