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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Three Ways You're Screwing Up Zero RB... and How To Fix Them

Zero RB strategy for 2017 fantasy football drafts by Chris Mangano. He advises how to avoid draft mistakes when selecting running backs later in fantasy drafts.

In 2016 Zero RB was the dominant draft strategy for most fantasy football players. For many drafters the strategy fell flat on it's face and they gave up on it after one try.

The strategy itself is sound, and even in the outlier running back year of 2016 it was still successful. The issue is most drafters had no idea how to use Zero RB correctly and drafted completely hopeless teams that never had a chance of winning.

In this article I am going to cover three common mistakes I see with Zero RB drafters and how to fix them in order to win your fantasy draft.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

You Draft Zero RB In The Wrong Leagues

Look, I love Zero RB. I will use it every chance I can. But even I know when to stay away and use a different strategy. Each league is different. They have different roster constructions, scoring rules, waiver rules, etc. To many times last year players employed a Zero RB strategy in leagues that had no business using Zero RB.

So what leagues would I never use Zero RB in? Most standard scoring leagues for starters. Not getting that extra point per catch really hurts wide receivers in standard leagues. Even in the age of passing running backs still dominate in standard leagues. In 2015, which was a dismal year for running backs, 25 backs scored at least 10 PPG in standard compared to 22 wide receivers. In 2016 those numbers were 27 to 13! Wide receivers just aren't

as valuable in standard leagues, that is why PPR was created in the first place.

I also wouldn't use Zero RB in any league where I started the same amount of running backs as wide receivers regardless of scoring setting (unless you're in some crazy league were wide receivers are PPR and running backs aren't). If you are in a league were you are starting 2 running backs and 2 wide receivers you need to get running backs early due to positional scarcity. Even if you draft three or four stud wide receivers you can only start two. If you wait on running backs and are left with low floor players your two wide receivers can't overcome that, even in PPR.

The best leagues for Zero RB are PPR scoring leagues were you can start A MINIMUM of 3 wide receivers, preferably four or five. Even better is when you are only required to start one running back. I am in a PPR league that has multiple flex positions and you can start between one and five running backs or wide receivers. In that league I load up on wide receivers hoping to score five top 15 wide receivers and wait on running back. Then I just play weekly matchups with my running backs and hope for a solid outing. Even if my running back completely busts it's OK because they are only one of nine starters.

This works the other way too, sadly, were I see drafters in wide receiver heavy PPR leagues taking running backs early because they think "I have to get a stud running back." This is just as bad as drafting Zero RB in a league that doesn't favor it. You are building a team that has little hope of winning. Choose a strategy that works best for the league you are drafting in.

 

You Ignore RB Value Because You're Busy Drafting Low-End WR

Just because you have decided that a Zero RB strategy is the best for your league doesn't mean you have to ignore running backs until the 5th or 6th rounds. It's OK to take a running back early if there is an amazing value on the board. If your choices are a likely WR2/3 or a stud running back who has somehow dropped, take the running back. You can always spend the next few rounds loading up at wide receiver again.

Now I wouldn't take a stud running back over a receiver I thought had WR1 potential, but if I was in the third round and I was looking at Demaryius Thomas (WR, DEN), DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU), Alshon Jeffrey (WR, PHI), and DeMarco Murray (RB, TEN) you can bet 100 times out of 100 I am grabbing Murray. He has top-five running back upside and you can't pass that up.

It doesn't even have to be a stud either. If I am in a PPR, two running back, three wide receiver league I am likely taking a running back in the first four rounds unless I am just in love with the wide receivers that are available for me. If I can get a solid running back in rounds three or four I will gladly take that over a questionable wide receiver.

There will be times were I take a running back early and times were I don't. It just depends on the value that is available. But don't ignore value just to stick to a strategy. It's great to have a plan before the draft but you need to be flexible when a better option is available to you.

 

When You Finally Draft RB, You Pick the Wrong Ones

As Zero RB drafters we tend to fall in love with pass catching backs. But these are not the type of players you should target, at least not at first. The real success with Zero RB is when you pair multiple stud wide receivers with two safe-floor running backs. These safe running backs keep your team afloat until you hopefully hit a home run with a waiver wire pickup or one of your bench players becomes his teams starter.

Running backs like Frank Gore (RB, IND), Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR) and Terrance West (RB, BAL) are not sexy, high ceiling players, but they have little to no competition for touches and give your team a nice weekly floor. If you can get a running back who is likely going to see 15 touches every week you should take that over a high ceiling, low floor pass catching back who may only see 5-6 touches at best.

As you get into the later rounds this is when you want to start drafting the pass catching backs, especially if they are likely to inherit a starter role if injuries occurred. Players like Duke Johnson (RB, CLE), C.J. Prosise (RB, SEA), and Shane Vereen (RB, NYG) are the perfect late round Zero RB choices. Each could easily become league winners if injuries happen ahead of them. They aren't the type of players I want to rely on week after week, but they have potential to be big time fantasy starters.

 

Conclusion

Before employing a Zero RB strategy make sure it is a strategy that fits your league. If it doesn't, use a strategy that does. If you do use a Zero RB strategy don't feel like you have to ignore running backs forever and don't try to hit home runs when you finally do draft running backs. You should be hitting home runs with your wide receivers, let your running backs provide the floor. Reach for the home runs later in the drafts and you'll be on your way to winning more often in 2017.

 

More 2017 Fantasy Football & ADP Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP