Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Zero RB Targets Part 1

The zero running back strategy has become more and more popular over the years and has evolved with how NFL running backs are now used in real life. When executing this strategy an owner fades the position and loads up in other areas. Then the owner tries to hit on the position later in the draft. Here are some guys owners should target when using the zero RB strategy in their drafts. 

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

If you are fading running backs early in the draft, Montgomery is a proven commodity you can build around. The team also drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but we expect him to play a very different role. Gibbs will slide into the D'Andre Swift role because he's not built to be slammed between the tackles or used on the goal line. That will be Montgomery's job and Jamaal Williams proved just how valuable that position can be in Detriot. The Lions boast one of the best offensive lines in the league and love to play smash-mouth football. We fully expect Montgomery to lead the team in carries and TDs in 2023. With this team expected to take another big leap forward this season there should be plenty of fantasy points for him to pile up even in a split-back role. 

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

The RB1 for the best offense in football has somehow fallen to the 80th overall pick. The fear here is that Jerick McKinnon is back and he will suck up just about all the passing duties. Even if this is the case and McKinnon stays healthy for 17 games and catches 85% of the RB targets, there is still an abundance of value to be had with Pacheco. His film from last season was outstanding as he showed plenty of strength and explosiveness. He's going to be the guy who gets the carries between the tackles, on the goal line, and perhaps most importantly when the Chiefs are winning. We all expect Kanas City to be winning a lot this year per usual. CEH seems to have scared fantasy owners off from Chiefs' running backs despite what we saw Damien Williams do for fantasy owners not too long ago. The issue wasn't the Chiefs' offense it was CEH. Pacheco is a much better runner and is being criminally undervalued right now. 

AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers

With Jordan Love now under center for the Packers we expect to see a lot more of Dillon in 2023. They are going to try to protect their inexperienced quarterback with the rushing game and Green Bay has two great backs to do that with. Many owners were burnt by Dillion last season, but this year he could bounce back in a major way. Aaron Jones isn't getting any younger and the team could turn to more of a traditional rushing attack with Aaron Rodgers gone. We anticipate a lot of volume and a lot of production from the Packers' big back this season. 

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

It's starting to look like Kamara may not be suspended after all and if that's the case he's an absolute steal. Even if he does miss a chunk of the season the drop may still be too drastic. Currently, his ADP has him being drafted as the 97th overall pick and a borderline RB4. As much uncertainty surrounds him this is still a long fall for such a talented and proven player. Especially now that he gets a massive upgrade at QB with Derek Carr who has proven in the past that he likes dumping off to backs. If you can get him at his current ADP he is well worth the risk. 

Samaje Perine, Denver Broncos

Things aren't looking great for Javonte Williams to be ready when the season kicks off and if he is it's not too likely he's 100%. It's not impossible that he is, nevertheless, we're willing to bet he won't be based on everything we've heard. Williams suffered a complicated knee injury with a torn ACL and additional damage. His outlook is sounding a lot like what we heard about JK Dobbins last year and that was a disaster early in the season. Williams could be PUP candidate which would cost him at least the first four games. Regardless, we expect Perine to have a major role in this offense early on and at the very least maintain a role in the passing attack throughout the season. Perine is the perfect zero RB candidate because you can get him cheap and he can get you through the early part of the season while you search the waiver wire for additional help at the position.