Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Robust RB vs. Hero RB vs. Zero RB
Right now, there's a war being waged by fantasy football managers over whether to spend early draft capital on running backs. While some people subscribe to the robust running back theory, others believe in the hero RB theory, and some in the zero RB theory. But the biggest question remains: Is there one best way to approach the RB position in fantasy football drafts?
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Robust Running Back Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
The robust running back theory suggests that drafters select three to four running backs in the first five or six rounds. So, for example, someone might draft Austin Ekeler in Round 1, Tony Pollard in Round 2 and Najee Harris in Round 3. Then they might take their first wide receiver in Round 4 and then maybe even add another running back in Round 5 or 6. The advantage of this theory is that you are making sure that you get three of the better running backs available to start your draft. We know that a good running back is a difficult commodity to find, so this gives you an advantage over your fellow competitors. However, the disadvantage here is that you're leaving yourself with a gaping hole at wide receiver which may be too hard to overcome. My best suggestion for implementing this theory is to look at your league’s rules. If you are in a standard league format, I have no problem taking two running backs early (especially if they score a lot of TDs) and if you're in a PPR format I have no problem taking three running backs early if they all catch passes out of the backfield.
Hero Running Back Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
The hero running back theory is used by most high-stakes players. What this theory suggests is that you take one running back in the first two or three rounds who can carry your team and be its hero. Then you wait until the middle rounds to take the next set of your running backs. What this allows you to do is to have one elite running back, then get yourself three to four excellent wide receivers and then stock up on more running backs afterward. Another way to frame this is to think of this hero running back as your anchor so that you're guaranteed to have at least one running back who gives you high-end fantasy production. Players who would fit this theory would include Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb. What I like about this theory is that it guarantees you that one player who you can count on. But at the same time, it does put pressure on your later-drafted RBs, as you are hoping of them emerges to be a consistent second option.
Zero Running Back Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
Gaining immense popularity over the past four or five seasons has been the zero running back strategy. This theory encourages fantasy managers to wait on drafting their first running back until Round 7 or 8 and instead build out their other positions before taking any chances on running backs. The key part of this theory is to draft about four or five running backs somewhere between Rounds 8 through 12, hoping to get a bunch of guys who can be streamed each week in good matchups or emerge in case of injury. This theory is very dangerous because it requires you to do two things: First, you've got to make sure that you draft a bunch of good running backs in those mid-rounds, and second, you've got to make sure you're starting the right players each week to maximize point production.
What I've been doing a lot of this year is a modified zero running back strategy. I've been taking wide receivers in the first three rounds, but then I've been taking at least two running backs in Rounds 4-6. I'm passing on selecting a hero running back, but I'm trying to still be robust in the middle rounds. I feel that there is a really great group of players in that pocket who can provide enough fantasy value that I can get the best of both worlds.
I would tell you that the most important thing you can do is understand your league. If your league-mates value running backs highly, then you can't pass on running backs. Otherwise, you'll be left with nothing, and you might need to employ the zero running back theory. If you're in a league that values wide receivers, maybe drafting using the robust theory will give you a definite advantage over the rest of your league. I know that I've used the robust running back theory to help me win two very large high-stakes leagues over the years. Sometimes being contrarian is important as you need to stand out from the rest of your league.
Another great recommendation is to use the mock draft simulator here at FantasySP. By drafting over and over and seeing your potential options, you can get a feel of what the draft board might look like when you're picking and see if you like how your team looks with each strategy.
