X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Top Running Back Targets for Zero RB Drafters

Zero RB is an option for fantasy owners this season, due to the number of running backs being selected at the start of fantasy football drafts. Richard King takes a look at some mid-round selections that should be considered at RB.

Zero RB discussion comes and goes every season, it certainly works in theory. Running backs are injured more often than wide receivers, and that means you are better to spend your high draft capital on elite wide receiver talent, then pick up your running backs later (try and pick several to give you more opportunity of getting an effective one). Conversely, you there is a school of thought on going for RB's at the start of your draft and you can find my article on how effective zero WR can be here.

This season more than any other seems to be incredibly running back heavy, with the majority of the first-round draft picks being mainly running backs. Looking at fantasy football calculator eight of the opening twelve picks are running backs and that is unlikely to change, given the narratives with each of them.

So to get value in your drafts, you might be forced to take two wide receivers with your opening picks, to help you navigate that I'm going to look at some running backs that are being taken in the mid-rounds, that are perfect to consider for zero RB drafts.

Editor's Note: Find sleeper picks, undervalued ADPs, and draft targets to help you dominate your fantasy football drafts. Try our free who to draft tool for personalized recommendations.

 

Starting WR/WR

In PPR formats, which is where it is more viable to go WR heavy at the start of drafts, it can give you a great positional advantage. In the modern NFL, there are fewer and fewer receivers that are being given a large target share- with more offenses taking the approach of sharing the ball around the offense. Target share is the major argument for wide receiver heavy drafts- further down in the mid-rounds players are going to be game by game decisions, while players like Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, and Julio Jones are going to dominate throughout the season.

Realistically you could start your opening two rounds with a combination of Jones and JuJu Smith-Schuster or Tyreek Hill to start out your drafts- that is a huge positional advantage, especially if you start three wide receivers or have multiple flex spots.

 

Ok, But Who Am I Going To Have As My Running Back?

With a lot of teams selecting running backs early, there is a whole mid-round of players that are moving down draft boards as those owners then have to select wide receivers. Looking at players that are being taken in the fourth to seventh rounds gives options like Mark Ingram, Sony Michel, Lamar Miller, Austin Ekeler and Tarik Cohen. Those are the types of players that owners should target- players that are going to be given a volume of carries, or pass-catching running backs in good offenses. If you are yet to be convinced, read on;

 

Mark Ingram | Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are a run-heavy offense, especially since they moved from Joe Flacco to Lamar Jackson. Ingram was picked up this offseason by the Ravens and gives them something that they lacked last season- a running back who can catch the ball. Gus Edwards was effective last season rushing 137 times for 718 yards, albeit only scoring two touchdowns- but only having two targets in that time. However, Mark Ingram finished the season with 645 yards and six touchdowns on a similar number of attempts but caught 21 passes for 170 yards and touchdown. All of this came while running as the second option behind Alvin Kamara. An effective running back, in a run-heavy offense, is a perfect player to add as a consistent (albeit unremarkable) option at running back.

My current projection for Mark Ingram is 968 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, and 45 receptions for 358 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Lamar Miller | Houston Texans

Miller is the exact type of player that you are going to need to target. Similar to Ingram, he is going to be assured of being the starting running back for a team that runs the ball plenty. The Texans running back has enjoyed a healthy share of backfield touches since he moved from Miami. Miller rushed the ball for 973 yards and five touchdowns last season, and also caught 25 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown. Miller's competition for early-down touches was removed once D'Onta Foreman was released, and then the team brought in pass-catcher Duke Johnson who is more likely to be used in third-down situations. You can currently pick up Miller in the sixth round as your RB2 or flex, and he would be a fantastic option for your team.

My current projection for Lamar Miller is hovering around the 1,000-yard mark and eight touchdowns on the ground, and 21 receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown.

 

Austin Ekeler | Los Angeles Chargers

Ekeler has value- regardless of if Melvin Gordon sits out for the whole season or not. Ekeler is primarily used as the pass-catcher out of the backfield, and in some early-down work when Gordon has needed to be rested. If Gordon does miss out then Justin Jackson is likely to be given the majority of the work in early downs, but he was limited in catching passes last season. However, Ekeler should likely see more targets, Gordon had 66 targets last season and that is what gives Ekeler a huge amount of upside. I think that Gordon likely does return to play this season, but even so, a pass-catching running back in a potent offense is worth adding to your roster.

My current projection (assuming Gordon plays this season) is 538 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, with 40 receptions for 402 yards and three touchdowns.

 

Tarik Cohen | Chicago Bears

Since entering the league, Cohen has been an electric player. Once he breaks a tackle in the open field, he is gone. The Chicago Bears running back room has had a lot of change this offseason with Jordan Howard moving on, and the team adding Mike Davis in free agency before adding David Montgomery in the draft. So coming into the season Cohen is the only player who has played in the Bears offense, and that has some value. Cohen is unlikely to have a significant increase in carries this season, with Davis and Montgomery battling for that role, but Cohen is the clear cut pass catcher in this backfield. Cohen almost gets a receivers amount of targets, and with his familiarity in the offense, I wouldn't expect that to change too much. If the offense takes even a small step forward in the second year of running Matt Nagy's offense then Cohen would give a great floor with his receptions, while able to give you a decent ceiling with his explosive play.

My current projection for Tarik Cohen is 381 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, with 64 receptions for 636 yards and four touchdowns.

 

Conclusion

While it is never a good idea to go into a draft with a pre-determined strategy, this season you are able to take a number of elite wide receivers. While you might lose out on advantage at the position, you could move onto some reliable running backs in the middle rounds and some players that are able to explode given the right circumstances this season.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Uchenna Nwosu

Seahawks Place Uchenna Nwosu on PUP List
Taylor Decker

Alim McNeill, Taylor Decker Placed on PUP List
Tyrion Davis-Price

Titans Waive Tyrion Davis-Price
Tre Harris

Chargers Relying on Tre Harris to Be Starting X Receiver
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Micah Parsons

Will Become Highest-Paid Non-QB
MarShawn Lloyd

Vying for RB2 Role
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith Finds End Zone in First Training Camp Practice
Tyler Shough

Pushing for Fully Guaranteed Rookie Deal
Ar'Darius Washington

Goes on PUP List
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hit In Pinky In All-Star Game, X-Rays Negative
MLB

NL All-Stars Win On Tie-Breaker Home Run Swing-Off
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Oneil Cruz

Ties Home Run Derby Distance Record
Cal Raleigh

Wins 2025 Home Run Derby
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Michael Lorenzen

Royals Put Michael Lorenzen on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Junior Tafa

Unsuccessful in his Light-Heavyweight Debut
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Tosses Gem Against Giants
Shota Imanaga

Shuts Down Yankees on Sunday
Nathan Eovaldi

Dominant Again in Seventh Win
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Chicago White Sox

Billy Carlson Goes 10th Overall to White Sox
Cincinnati Reds

Steele Hall Selected Ninth by Cincinnati
Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Select JoJo Parker with Eighth Overall Pick
Miami Marlins

Marlins Select Aiva Arquette With Seventh Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF