2023 Fantasy Football 12-Team PPR Mock Draft: Zero RB Strategy
This is Part II of my mock draft simulation based on the three types of running back draft strategy. In this mock, I decided to employ the Zero RB Strategy. As you can see from my Draft Grade, it seems like this theory was a huge success!
Get ready for draft season! Practice Mock Drafts, check out ADPs, grab our fantasy football rankings, and get advice for trades with our trade analyzer.
Mock Draft Roster Breakdown and Settings
Roster Breakdown
- 1 QB
- 2 RB
- 3 WR
- 1 TE
- 1 Flex (WR/RB/TE)
- 1 K
- 1 DST
- 6 Bench
This mock was a 12-team draft in Full-PPR format, and I randomly drew the fifth overall pick. Here is my team:
Round 1 (1.05): WR Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Since I was going Zero-RB, I had to start with a WR, and Hill is one of the best. Can he get 2,000 receiving yards? I would love to see it happen.
Round 2 (2.07): WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
He’s dealing with an injury now, but I expect him to be fine for Week 1.
Round 3 (3.05): WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
I want as many shares of Olave as possible, I think he is in for a big breakout year.
Round 4 (4.07): WR Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Allen is a target machine on a terrific offense and an incredible player to land as my WR4.
Round 5 (5.05): QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Probably the worst pick in my mock. How did I not wait and take Tua Tagovailoa in Round 9? That said, it shows you how much I love Lawrence this season!
Round 6 (6.07): TE Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
This shows the value of the Zero RB Strategy. At this point in the draft, I already have four great WRs and a top QB, and now I can add a stud-tight end on a high-scoring offense.
Round 7 (7.05): RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Will the breakout happen in 2023? I am counting on it with Cook as my first running back in the seventh round.
Round 8 (8.07): RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco is another good target for Zero-RB drafts, thanks to his upside. He could score 10+ TDs.
Round 9 (9.05): WR Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
I know I have Olave, but there is nothing wrong with having two players who could get 85% of targets in their offense.
Round 10 (10.07): RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
The Miami offense is concentrated on three players, and now I might have them all. Achane could have some huge plays in this system.
Round 11 (11.05): QB Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Supremely underrated, and Drew Lock is not a threat.
Round 12 (12.07): TE Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
Sean Payton will get the most out of him.
Round 13 (13.05): RB Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
I will take a shot that the Eagles give him 40% of touches in their backfield.
Round 14 (14.07): New Orleans Saints Defense
The Saints have a decent defense and a great schedule.
Round 15 (15.05): K Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
Tucker is simply the kicker in the game.
Round 16 (16.07): WR Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers
Now I can name this team “The Mingo Ate My Baby,” and that's certainly worth a last-round pick.
Final Zero-RB Mock Draft Analysis
I know I got an “A+” draft grade, but this was an F draft in my mind. I did not have the draft board up on my screen, and it cost me terribly. If I had it up and was watching it closely, I would have drafted Tua Tagovailoa for the Miami stack and Derek Carr for my Saints backup stack. Little things like this are the difference between being a fantasy league winner and just another team. As far as my RBs go, I have some solid upside options in Pacheco and Cook, but might have preferred to draft a few more dart throws in the late rounds given my lack of true star talent.
