The Running Back Dead Zone Is Alive

Aaron Jones is listed as one of the successful running back picks from the round 4-6 range in 2024, having matched or beaten his positional ADP.

Alvin Kamara is highlighted as having a 'huge' season in 2024, serving as one of the most successful running back picks in the round 4-6 range.

Breece Hall is a preferred target in the mid-round running back range, despite dealing with a groin injury and having been impacted by the broader 2025 injury wave.

Cam Akers' ranking was moved down significantly following the signing of Najee Harris.

Chuba Hubbard is considered a miss for fantasy managers due to injury, with the source noting that he was already considered 'questionable' at the time of drafting.

Davante Adams is a veteran wide receiver who projects very well but is currently undervalued by the market. The source views him as a 'boring' player whose narrow range of outcomes has led to an unnecessary discount, making him a strong value target.

David Montgomery was a successful round 4-6 running back selection in 2024, matching or exceeding his positional ADP, but he is now in a new situation where he is expected to lose passing down work to Woody Marks.

Emeka Egbuka is being drafted higher than his projection due to his youth and market excitement.

Isaiah Pacheco is noted as a player who suffered an injury in 2024, impacting his availability for fantasy managers, despite being previously identified as a late-round running back who outperformed the bottom end of wide receivers.

James Conner is identified as one of the successful running back picks from the round 4-6 range in 2024, having matched or beaten his positional ADP.

Jameson Williams is highlighted as a top 10 wide receiver in points per game from the previous season.

Javonte Williams is a top projected running back value who is currently being overlooked by the market. The source targets him as a high-priority mid-round option in rounds two through four, noting there is no easy replacement for his role.

Jaylen Warren is likely not the starting running back on his team.

Jeremiah Love is a top projected running back value, though he is currently managing an ankle injury. The source expresses a preference for targeting him in the mid-round running back range.

Joe Mixon is noted as a successful round 4-6 running back pick for the 2024 season, specifically highlighting his performance for the Texans.

Despite ongoing legal issues, Josh Jacobs remains a strong fantasy pick and is considered a top projected running back value.

The source recommends Justin Jefferson as a high-end target in the first round, stating that drafters will not regret selecting him.

Kenneth Walker had his best fantasy football season in 2024, though his overall production and value were ultimately impacted by injuries.

Kyren Williams is a top projected running back value who consistently scores around 227 fantasy points annually despite being undervalued by the market. He is a recommended mid-round target (rounds two through four) due to his tight band of outcomes.

Ladd McConkey is being drafted higher than his projection because of his youth and the excitement surrounding him.

Luther Burden is being drafted higher than his projection because of his youth and the excitement surrounding him.

Mike Davis serves as a historical example of a round five running back bust; he was drafted in round five following a few productive games for the Carolina Panthers but failed to deliver, contributing to the historical trend where round five running backs lost by an average of 30 points to wide receivers from 2016 to 2023.

Mike Evans is a veteran wide receiver who projects very well but is currently undervalued by the market. The source notes that boring players with narrow ranges of outcomes like Evans have been discounted by fantasy drafters, making them strong value plays.

Najee Harris is cited as one of the successful running back picks from the round 4-6 range in 2024, having matched or beaten his positional ADP.

Parker Washington is being drafted higher than his actual projection due to market excitement surrounding his youth.

Puka Nacua is recommended as a high-end target in the first round, with the source stating that drafters will not regret selecting him.

Quinshon Judkins is identified as a top projected running back value.

R.J. Harvey is the most expensive running back in the Broncos backfield because he is the most explosive option and capable of scoring fantasy points over expectation, despite being impacted by the 2025 injury wave.

Rome Odunze is identified as a wide receiver who projects well but is currently undervalued by the fantasy community.

Tony Pollard is noted as one of the running backs who suffered an injury during the 2025 season.

Travis Etienne is a top projected running back value, particularly with Alvin Kamara sidelined for at least a month due to an MCL sprain.

TreVeyon Henderson is currently not the starting running back on his team and has also dealt with injuries during the 2025 season.

Zamir White is considered a classic draft trap; the source explicitly advises avoiding him, citing his viral 'workout photos' as a misleading indicator of fantasy success.