Part of your draft prep for 2024 should include understanding what targets there are if you find your way using a zero or hero RB draft strategy. The way that the league has evolved in recent seasons, with the passing attempts increasing year after year, WRs have seen a bump in value. While teams have also looked to limit the number of workhorses in the league too, to keep them fresher for the later stages of the season.
For the purposes of this article, we are only going to consider RBs that are (at the time of writing) going in the seventh round (or later). Getting prepared with some targets later in drafts are going to help you get ready for your draft- let’s get to it!
Zero and Hero RB 2024 Targets: Round 7
David Montgomery (DET)
Montgomery (and the Lions) were a pleasant surprise for fantasy last season. The Lions managed to get their backfield tandem of Montgomery and Jahymr Gibbs to work fantastically well, and both be viable for fantasy. For the upcoming season, and a harder schedule, Montgomery feels like he is going to be a casualty- while Gibbs continues to be a great fantasy back. Drafting him here as part of a zero-RB build feels risky, with far more appeal in a hero RB draft.
D’Andre Swift (CHI)
Swift struggled for fantasy last season, getting plenty of volume but was being consistently vultured on the goal-line by Jalen Hurts and the ‘Brotherly Shove’. This season in Chicago though, he shouldn’t be suffering that same issue. Swift has been able to show that he can be a solid pass-catcher, and an effective weapon on the ground. The Bears offense is going to be far more pass-heavy than it has been in previous seasons. Swift has the potential to be a high-end RB2, making him a great zero RB target to start out your season.
Zamir White (LV)
White is a polarizing player this offseason. Looks like he should be the lead back for the Raiders, with the team moving on from Josh Jacobs, but it’s an extremely small sample size that we have seen him leading the backfield. Even if he does completely win out the backfield, he could struggle in a struggling Raiders offense. Feels like a risky selection in a zero RB role, as he isn’t guaranteed to hold value all season. If you do go for White, you are going to need to be prepared to take multiple shots later in drafts.
James Conner (ARI)
Conner is the ‘traditional’ player for this type of article. Gets plenty of touches in the offense, and is good with them. His average PPG is always towards the top of the position, and while the team have drafted in Trey Benson in the third-round, Arizona are likely to be fine to drive Conner into the ground in his final season of his contract. I’d prefer him this season as part of a hero-RB draft, but should be a decent zero RB selection.
Jaylen Warren (PIT)
Warren was getting plenty of fantasy managers animated last season, as he was visibly far more dynamic than Najee Harris. He ended up having a breakout season, but is still behind Harris on the depth chart. Harris is going to have his volume of carries. But, Warren if given the opportunity will run with the Steelers offense putting him as a prime candidate for a Zero RB selection. Albeit he might struggle to be in your starting lineup consistently to start the season.
Zack Moss (CIN)
The Bengals allowed Joe Mixon to leave the team this offseason, replacing him by signing Moss to a two-year $8m contract. Moss had his best ever season last year as he filled in for an injured/holding-out Jonathan Taylor to start, and stayed in the rotation in the middle and end of the season. There is some concern around Chase Brown, as he was able to look good towards the end of the season in place of Mixon. But, Brown is a little undersized to lead a backfield and it’s not a very large sample size. Moss is a great zero RB target and a nice hero RB2 with his volume in this offense.
Zero and Hero RB 2024 Targets: Round 8
Raheem Mostert (MIA)
Mostert is already someone that I have spoken up as a great value. The veteran is being drafted a full six rounds later than De’Von Achane, who had a great (but likely unrepeatable) rookie season. At a minimum he is likely to retain the goal-line work in a high-scoring offense. If you are able to pick him up as your RB3, you are already considering the potential he loses all other role in the backfield.
Jonathon Brooks (CAR)
If Brooks hadn’t torn his ACL, and then been drafted by the Panthers, he wouldn’t be going this late in drafts. Brooks is (currently) looking like he could be ready to start the season (potentially even the in the opening game). New HC Dave Canales was more than happy to hand the ball to Rachaad White plenty last season, and Brooks should be a decent three-down back. You can’t just overlook Chubba Hubbard, who was an effective runner last season, but Brooks should be the lead back for the Panthers.
Tony Pollard (TEN)
Straightaway let’s deal with last season. Pollard was a disappointing player for fantasy- but only when you consider where he was being drafted. Pollard struggled to find the endzone, despite being given plenty of opportunity to do so when he was leading the backfield. To get a talent like Pollard’s, in the middle rounds, you are absolutely getting a steal for fantasy. He should see a nice amount of volume on the ground and through the air here, and should be a fantastic target for zero/ hero RB drafters.
Zero and Hero RB 2024 Targets: Round 9
Javonte Williams (DEN)
Williams disappointed for fantasy last season, and is another one of those that is seeing his draft position fall significantly this offseason. In recent camp news, surprisingly it sounds that Williams is now competing for a spot on the roster with Samaje Perine. Williams was able to show his ability to run last season, with just two games with under double-digit carries. If Williams is able to retain his spot on the roster, he is a decent RB3 to target.
Devin Singletary (NYG)
Singletary bet on himself to succeed on a one-year deal with the Texans after starting his career with the Bills in a timeshare with Moss. His season started out slowly with the Texans, as the team started with the incumbent Dameon Pierce. But, midway through the season that changed and he became a key part of the Texans offense. His signing with the Giants, to replace Saquon Barkley, gives him the opportunity to truly lead a backfield. Figures to be a volume RB3, with upside if the Giants offense is able to improve on last season.
Austin Ekeler (WAS)
What a difference a season makes! Ekeler struggled to recover effectively from an injury he suffered in the opening game of the season, and was unable to be the dynamic runner he was in previous seasons. Despite struggling with health, and efficiency, he finished second on the team in targets. This offseason he was allowed to fund new ground, signing with Washington- competing with Brian Robinson for carries. In PPR leagues, Ekeler should still have some appeal. But, his best fantasy days are likely behind him. If you are going to draft him, you need to be prepared to only consider him as a flex consideration week-to-week.
Brian Robinson (WAS)
Washington muddied the waters a little this offseason with their backfield, at least from a fantasy perspective. Signing Austin Ekeler during the offseason has really put a dampener on the prospects of Robinson for the upcoming season. There is no doubt that Ekeler is a great runner and pass-catcher, but the RB position is a young persons game. Robinson finished as an RB2 last season, and really improved his ability to catch passes. Drafting him here is a fantastic value here.
Tyjae Spears (TEN)
Spears is an odd player for me to analyze. He is a great playmaker, and is a great pass-catcher. If Derrick Henry was still leading the backfield, Spears would be an easy target and selection. But, with the team having Pollard in the ranks (who is himself a great pass-catcher). It’s really a case of taking one side of this and hoping that the backfield becomes a split. Or that Spears gets more work at the goal-line. Spears should have some standalone value during the season in your lineup, but the majority of his value comes as a handcuff currently.
Zero and Hero RB 2024 Targets: Round 10
Trey Benson (ARI)
Benson’s appeal really is affected by how much you think that James Conner is going to be able to play a full season. Conner hasn’t played a full in his career to date. Benson was drafted in the third-round, which is decent draft capital for an RB. He has a decent skill set to work out of a backfield. Likely to start the season struggling for volume, but is likely the handcuff to own if Conner were to go down. In deeper leagues using the Zero RB strategy, he is a fine add in drafts who should come good midway through the season.
Jerome Ford (CLE)
Ford was a great deputy for the Browns after Nick Chubb suffered his horrible injury in the second game of the season. His status for this season is uncertain though, with Chubb’s injury recovery still unknown. It looks like he should be able to return at some point, but the big question is when. To start the season Ford should have decent value. If you are going zero RB, then Ford is a nice target to use to open the season, while you wait for the likes of Warren and Brooks to be given their opportunity.
Nick Chubb (CLE)
If there was some more certainty over his injury status, he would be far higher up draft boards. The Browns backfield has been a valuable one for fantasy, with the offense looking to establish the run before airing the ball out. If Chubb is able to recover from his injury and be a draft-day steal at this price. Prime zero-RB candidate. If he comes good, he should be an every-week starter, with RB1 upside. You need to build your roster out with Chubb’s likely unavailability to start the season.
Blake Corum (LAR)
Kyren Williams was a great fantasy play last season as the starting RB in the Rams offense. But, there wasn’t much in the way of competition last season. However, the Rams brought in Corum in the third-round. Corum is likely to see limited action to start the season, but he could carve out a larger role with league-winning upside at the cost.
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)
Elliott really has fallen from grace in recent seasons. Struggled in 2022 alongside the more dynamic Tony Pollard for the Cowboys before being forced out and having a season as a deputy with the New England Patriots. After Pollard struggled, the Cowboys had a clear need at RB- replacing him with……..Elliott. The fact of the matter is that Elliott if nothing else is going to be the goal-line back for the team. If he manages to get any real type of volume to go alongside it, he will absolutely crush this ADP. Should get the volume right from the get-go too, making him a great zero and hero RB option.
Zero and Hero RB 2024 Targets: Round 10+
Rather than go round by round here, I’m just going to share my favorite selections- with some quick rationale.
| Name | Round | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Gus Edwards | 11 | The Gus Bus signing for the Chargers should mean he has a decent opportunity to run in an offense that he is used to. Limited PPR appeal, but should see plenty of early-down work. |
| Kendre Miller | 12 | Kamara has shown signs of slowing down. Miller wasn’t able to take advantage of Kamara’s early season suspension, but should take a step forward this season. |
| MarShawn Lloyd | 12 | If Josh Jacobs starts to slow down, or misses time, then Lloyd is going to the be the next man up. Prime zero RB candidate as a result. |
| Rico Dowdle | 12 | Was a decent deputy last season. If Elliott is truly struggling, Dowdle is the only notable player on the depth chart. |
| Jaylen Wright | 13 | Getting a piece of a top offense is always worth considering. If the Dolphins backfield finds itself in a timeshare, Wright has the profile to be a fantasy asset. |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | 13 | McLaughlin had some good performances last season. If the Broncos are to try and rework their offense, he could be in-line to take a step forward. |
| J.K. Dobbins | 13 | Dobbins’ ability has never been in question. It’s his availability that has been the issue. If he is able to put together a full season, he should be a steal at this ADP. |
| Ray Davis | 14 | Davis was a nice draft story, and in getting drafted by the Bills he has a nice opportunity to be given the RB who will be used at the goal-line for the team. If James Cook were to get injured, he would be a nice piece to slide into your lineups. |
| D’Onta Foreman | 17 | Foreman has bounced around a little recently, despite performing well. The Browns need some insurance if Chubb is set to miss significant time. He is essentially free, and will have appeal until Chubb is back. |
Remember you can find our other content here. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
