Zero RB Draft Strategy - 10 Targets for Fantasy Football in 2026!

Zero RB target going RB36 FFPC, RB35 Sleeper in the ninth round; the source views this as a worthwhile target at cost because he projects as a top 15 running back if Kyren Williams misses time (instantly top-five RB), but likely finishes outside the top 45-50 in a 65-35 or 60-40 split scenario. Corum was second in explosive run rate among running backs with 50+ carries last year, behind only Tank Bigsby; he had 145 carries versus Bigsby's 63. Kyren Williams' red zone snap share has declined significantly (63% in year 1, 65% in year 2, 38% in year 3), signaling potential opportunity for Corum. Corum earned more work last season and impressed the Rams coaching staff; he and Kyren Williams rotate every series with Williams starting each half and Corum coming in on the second series. Corum has not yet cracked into Williams' passing-game work or four-minute/hurry-up offense situations, but he is an ascending player with a path to take more work from Williams. If Williams goes down, Corum would be top-six to top-eight at the position for the duration of Williams' absence, immediately becoming the most coveted player off the waiver wire and an RB1 starter.

The source's bold take is that Bowers, available at the end of the second round, could be the TE1 by 3–4 points per game in a Travis Kelce-like fashion, making him a key differentiator in zero RB builds. Positioned as a viable alternative to traditional early-round running back selection in zero RB strategies, offering tight end upside as a flex play.

Major questions surround Irving's health status heading into the season. Irving dealt with a significant shoulder injury last season that required offseason surgery and appeared to have mental health impacts as he struggled with his first major career injury; while he claims readiness for training camp, there are questions about whether he'll return to his rookie form. The Buccaneers signed Kenneth Gainwell as insurance, signaling concern about Irving's durability. Among 50+ RBs with 50+ under-center runs in 2025, Irving ranked 10th in yards per carry and 2nd best in explosive run rate, suggesting he may benefit if Sean Payton emphasizes under-center running.

Courtland Sutton is mentioned as a potential beneficiary of Davis Webb taking over as play caller in Denver. The expectation is that Webb will move at a faster pace and reduce heavy rotations at wide receiver compared to Sean Payton's previous approach, which could mean Sutton stays on the field more consistently rather than being rotated out on random plays.

The source explicitly states 'we love a David Montgomery in the fourth round,' indicating strong preference for the running back at that draft cost. Positioned as a viable fourth-round target even within zero RB frameworks, suggesting he offers better value than other available running backs at that stage.

Late-round zero RB target with clear pass-down role and handcuff value. Highly efficient as a receiver last season: 33 of 40 targets, 8+ yards per reception, 2 TDs, despite poor rushing production (175 yards, 2.7 YPC). With Jerome Ford off the roster and Quinshon Judkins' injury recovery uncertain, Samson could see expanded three-down upside and potentially 40–50 targets if Shedeur Sanders starts for Cleveland, as Sanders is one of the most check-down reliant quarterbacks in recent years. If ground game improves and receiving work stays consistent, could contribute to fantasy teams.

Dobbins presents a low-upside pick due to a pattern of four brutal lower-body injuries over recent seasons (blown-out knee, Achilles tear, sprained knee), creating injury recurrence risk. He doesn't play on passing downs, limiting his fantasy ceiling despite being only 27-28 years old. Among 50+ RBs with 50+ under-center runs in 2025, Dobbins ranked 10th in yards per carry and 2nd best in explosive run rate, suggesting he may benefit if Sean Payton emphasizes under-center running; however, injury history and role limitations make him the lowest upside play in the Broncos backfield for the long run.

Under new play-caller Davis Webb, there is concern that Waddle's route share could drop significantly (potentially to 70%) due to faster-paced play-calling and fewer wide receiver rotations. While there is talk that Webb will move at a faster pace and reduce heavy rotations compared to Sean Payton's previous approach, which could keep Waddle on the field more consistently, the source's main fear is that Waddle runs a 70% route share, which would be brutal given the draft capital invested in him despite his talent.

Jaylen Warren (RB27 ADP) is positioned for a significant uptick in passing-down work following Ken Gainwell's departure. He averaged 2.0 yards per route run last season, tying Bejian Robinson as the most efficient passing-down running back and outperforming Christian McCaffrey and Jir Gibbs. In PPR leagues, Warren's higher-value touch role (targets over carries) makes him preferable to Rico Dowel despite going a half-round later. The source likes him at ADP.

The source explicitly states 'I don't love this year at his ADP,' indicating the running back is overvalued at current draft cost. Positioned as a reach target that the source avoids in zero RB scenarios despite being available in the second-round running back pocket.

The source recommends targeting Josh Allen heavily in zero RB builds because he has been routinely the QB1 or QB2 in recent seasons and can provide a 3–4 point per game advantage over QB2/QB3, which meaningfully helps offset running back production loss in the strategy.

Kenneth Gainwell signed with the Buccaneers on close to $10 million guaranteed, settling around RB36 ADP, which the source calls a beautiful price. He's a reliable pass-game back who earns reps everywhere he goes and will have low-end flex value in PPR leagues, with potential for low-end to mid-range RB2 upside if Bucky Irving misses time. The Buccaneers' investment signals confidence in his role and insurance against Irving's injury history.

The source is completely out on Williams despite RB15-RB16 ADP, citing declining goal-line role (53% inside the five in year 2 to 38% in year 3 vs. Blake Corum's ascent), minimal passing-game work in Sean McVay's scheme (which historically avoids checkdowns to RBs), and lack of explosiveness limiting touchdown upside. His 13 touchdowns last year were touchdown-dependent; without closer proximity to the goal line, scoring will regress. The source calls him a glaring fade and potentially the most overvalued player in the third round.

The source recommends targeting Lamar Jackson heavily in zero RB builds alongside Josh Allen to capture the 3–4 point per game advantage elite quarterbacks provide over mid-tier options, which is critical for offsetting running back production loss.

The source has been avoiding Judkins due to multiple concerns: leg injury (similar to recent Pacheco and Pard comebacks that were concerning), low team win total (4.5–5.5), and Miles Garrett trade weakening Cleveland's defense. Todd Monkin will likely view him as a Derrick Henry-type workhorse with heavy carries, but the team context and injury recovery risk make him a fade. Injury recovery status is uncertain, which creates opportunity for Dylan Samson to see expanded three-down usage.

RJ Harvey led all running backs in XFP per route run last season according to Fantasy Points data and is the clear player positioned to play in Broncos passing-down situations. The source notes Harvey goes in the 8th-9th round (RB26 on Sleeper, RB34-RB35 on sharper platforms like FFPC/Underdog) and could take a huge step forward in his second season, though he struggled as a rookie with vision and grasping the offense. The source prefers Harvey at RB34 or later pricing over RB26. Davis Webb's faster-paced play-calling scheme should reduce heavy rotations and keep running backs on the field more consistently, giving Harvey a better chance to produce and capitalize on backfield opportunity.

The source expects Saquon Barkley to remain the primary Eagles back in 2025 and not be taken off the field more than last season, despite his efficiency struggles when the offensive line and scheme struggled in 2024. His efficiency metrics were significantly worse than in 2023, but the team is unlikely to reduce his workload. Tank Bigsby may earn additional role opportunities given the Eagles invested draft capital to acquire him, but Barkley is not expected to lose significant volume.

The source's top handcuff target in the Eagles backfield with elite efficiency metrics: 23.6% explosive run rate (led all 65 RBs with 50+ carries), 3.3 yards after contact, 2.57 yards before contact, and fourth-lowest stuffed rate. Over the last two seasons among RBs with 200+ carries, Bigsby leads all backs in yards after contact. The Eagles made no running back additions this offseason (only brought back Will Shipley and Damen Pierce as depth), so Bigsby is the clear contingent upside play if Saquon Barkley misses time. If Barkley gets injured, Bigsby could rank in the top 12-16 weekly and potentially push RB1 numbers. Has very little standalone value but massive contingent upside; makes sense as late-round RB4/RB5 in team builds.

The source's second-strongest handcuff conviction with similar upside to Tank Bigsby but on a worse offensive situation (Giants with low implied win total and Matt Nair at QB). Tracy has been pushed deep in ADP at RB48 across the industry, creating value as a handcuff with standalone upside potential. He has standalone value as a contingent upside play in the Giants backfield; he's ranked RB45 on Underdog and RB44 in sharper formats like FFPC, suggesting professional drafters see value in his role. His baseline production is strong: 1,600 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 74 receptions, and 3 receiving touchdowns over two NFL seasons; he's been a solid RB2 when given the starting job and has posted 1,000 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back seasons. Tracy has receiving upside and will likely play a bigger role than most expect in the Giants backfield; he has passing-game chops as a former receiver and ranks top 20 in yards per route run on pass-down situations. The source believes Tracy can handle the pass-game work that Scataboo would leave behind and has standalone value in best-ball formats.