The Zero RB strategy was first created a while back, but can you apply it in 2022? And what does that look like? The overall premise of the strategy is to avoid taking an RB early, instead you load up on talent at other positions before attempting to get your starting RBs.
Everyone has a slightly different version of just what that means, and the earliest you can select an RB and for it to be considered a Zero RB approach. Some will say that you have to wait until round three, some say you should wait until the double-digit rounds. When I’m considering it, it’s really at the point where I don’t think I’m getting a significant advantage in not selecting an RB. To put it another way, at which point is it now hurting me to not select one. (I know there is an argument that not taking an RB early could hurt you from the start).
When to Implement this Strategy
The Zero RB strategy was first created a while back, but can you apply it in 2021? And what does that look like? The overall premise of the strategy is to avoid taking an RB early, instead you load up on talent at other positions before attempting to get your starting RBs.
Everyone has a slightly different version of just what that means, and the earliest you can select an RB and for it to be considered a Zero RB approach. Some will say that you have to wait until round three, some say you should wait until the double-digit rounds. When I’m considering it, it’s really at the point where I don’t think I’m getting a significant advantage in not selecting an RB. To put it another way, at which point is it now hurting me to not select one. (I know there is an argument that not taking an RB early could hurt you from the start).
How to Implement this Strategy
Alternatively, especially if you are a part of 2QB leagues and Superflex leagues, then it should be a consideration to pick up an elite QB (or even two if you are looking to lockdown in the position!) in the early rounds to secure that position moving forward in the draft. This becomes more of a priority if you only have eyes on a few QBs that are going early, rather than the group as a whole.
As mentioned already, targeting the wide receiver position tends to be the optimal play when utilising the Zero RB strategy. This is often because elite wide receivers can consistently produce year-on-year for your teams whereas even the round one running backs can be hit and miss for their cost. Additionally, when it comes to in-season and the waiver wire, fantasy-relevant wide receivers are much harder to come by than say a running back, where injuries can occur more frequently plus depth is often there.
Players to Consider
The types of players you should be considering are absolute target hogs for their team, ideally on heavy passing offenses. You really want to be grabbing two Tier One players, so that your WR2 is significantly better than any that your opponent is able to grab.
As mentioned already, targeting the wide receiver position tends to be the optimal play when utilising the Zero RB strategy. This is often because elite wide receivers can consistently produce year-on-year for your teams whereas even the round one running backs can be hit and miss for their cost. Additionally, when it comes to in-season and the waiver wire, fantasy-relevant wide receivers are much harder to come by than say a running back, where injuries can occur more frequently plus depth is often there.
Players to Consider
The types of players you should be considering are absolute target hogs for their team, ideally on heavy passing offenses. You really want to be grabbing two Tier One players, so that your WR2 is significantly better than any that your opponent is able to grab.
RB Targets
Alternatively, especially if you are a part of 2QB leagues and Superflex leagues, then it should be a consideration to pick up an elite QB (or even two if you are looking to lockdown in the position!) in the early rounds to secure that position moving forward in the draft. This becomes more of a priority if you only have eyes on a few QBs that are going early, rather than the group as a whole.
You aren’t going to get a bell-cow option, that’s just not going to happen, but you can still get a player that is going to be leaned on heavily. The types of players you are looking for are ones that face little competition for touches out of the backfield, but they might not be on a great offense. For 2022 options are:
- David Montgomery
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Damien Harris
That type of player, obviously if there is a better talent on the board then take them. There is the subset too, players that could be in for a big workload, but there are two players that are vying for the role. In that case, select one and hope you get the right one:
- Marlon Mack
- Dameon Pierce
- Chase Edmonds
- Raheem Mostert
- Kenneth Walker
- Rashaad Penny
Late season breakouts might be solid players that you can lean on later in the season. Their role isn’t assured, but there is a chance that a team could move to giving these guys more snaps later in the season. In an ideal world you want an option that has some value early in the season too- as part of a committee that they have a good chance of winning out. Targets that fall into this category are:
- James Cook
- Zamir White
- Tony Pollard
- Nyheim Hines
- Tyrion Davis-Price
This is obvious, getting players that have a role in the offense already that expands if the starter is injured. These are the types of players that you can put in your flex, but then they could step up into a big role if given the opportunity. Targets like:
- Melvin Gordon
- AJ Dillon
- D’Onta Foreman
- Damien Williams
- Darrel Williams
Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
