Winners of Best Ball Mania on Underdog for the last two years have employed a Zero RB strategy, waiting until the 7th round before drafting their first running back. This strategy might make some people uncomfortable. You stockpile wide receivers in the early rounds (the more stable fantasy producers and less likely to be lost to injury compared to running backs), and maybe even grab an elite quarterback and elite tight end before drafting your first running backs. Then you hammer that position. Here are some ideal running backs you can target when implementing that strategy.
Najee Harris
ADP 84, RB 20, PROJ 175 POINTS
Najee Harris touch share has decreased with the rise of Jaylen Warren, but he's still the early down/goal line back. He's durable, starting all 17 games his first three seasons and consistent, eclipsing 1,000 yards rushing each of those same years.
Quietly, Harris was a winner this off-season. The Pittsburgh Steelers invested heavily in their offensive line and brought in Arthur Smith as Offensive Coordinator. There will be a renewed focus on running the ball. Say what you will about Smith as a head coach and how he mishandled Bijan Robinson, but as an offensive coordinator, he definitely succeeded in Tennessee running the ball while featuring another big-bodied running back in Derrick Henry.
I expect Harris to at least maintain his run share if not increase it based on Arthur Smith's history as an offensive coordinator. Pittsburgh's offense should improve enough after two putrid seasons with Kenny Pickett under center to provide Najee with increased rushing totals as well as increased goal-line opportunities.
Zack Moss
ADP 92, RB 26, PROJ 151 POINTS
Zack Moss was RB6 in 2023 from weeks 2-5, averaging 20.4 half PPR points per game when filling in for the injured Jonathan Taylor. He registered an 84% snap share during those four games and got 24.3 touches per game. He's not the most efficient back, but he's a reliable veteran who produces and has a lot of tread still left on his tires. Moss reminds you a bit of the guy he's replacing in Cincinnati, Joe Mixon.
In Cincinnati, Mixon was a top 5 fantasy running back 2 of the last three years in half PPR formats, and in that other year, he still finished as an RB1. Moss has thrived similarly to Mixon with volume, despite both being labeled inefficient, but also by catching passes out of the backfield.
Mixon has the fifth most receptions by a running back since 2022 (112) in that Cincinnati offense and Moss has proven to be a reliable pass catcher himself. I'm not saying Moss will replicate those top five finishes or even catch as many balls, but he can step in and do all the same things Mixon was asked to do during his time in Cincinnati which is a valuable role in a fruitful offense.
James Conner
ADP 94, RB 27, PROJ 177 POINTS
Despite missing a few games last season, James Conner topped 1,000 yards rushing while averaging near the top in yards per carry with a 5.0 average. He finished the season as the RB10 in fantasy points per game with 14.5 in half-point PPR formats like Underdog. The Cardinals coaching staff recently said that the team performs best when the offense runs through Conner based on the way the team performed at the end of last season. So, I think his workload will remain intact.
With more offensive weapons at their disposal after drafting wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr 5th overall and running back Trey Benson at the beginning of the 3rd round, along with the emergence of tight end Trey McBride last season, defenses won't be able to stack the box and focus solely on Conner. Having Kyler Murray back at full health will also improve things for Conner, as well as having a better offense overall. If he stays healthy, his numbers will easily improve from last year with better efficiency, even if he shares touches with rookie Benson.
Raheem Mostert
ADP 97, RB 28, PROJ 153 POINTS
Raheem Mostert had the most productive season of his career in 2023 and will remain a vital part of the Miami Dolphins high-powered offense in 2024. Despite sharing the backfield with Devon Achane, Mostert topped 1,000 yards rushing and led the NFL with 21 total touchdowns. Sure, there will likely be touchdown regression for Mostert this year, but his role in that offense is solidified as the lead back with plenty of opportunities for a healthy number of touchdowns.
Is there a more ideal running back for a Best Ball format than Mostert? We know his ceiling is massive and yet you'll be able to draft him in the 9th round, possibly as the RB3 on your team. That's exactly what you're aiming for when implementing this Zero RB strategy.
Javonte Williams
ADP 111, RB 31, PROJ 161 POINTS
Javonte Williams was a bit of a disappointment in 2023; only one year removed from ACL, PCL, and LCL tears suffered in week 4 of 2022. Denver tried to feature him (giving him a career-high 217 carries), but he didn't have the same burst or yards after contact that he had before the injury. Overall, Denvers offense wasn't very good. Yet Williams still surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards while playing in 16 games. He only scored five touchdowns but was one of the league leaders in goal-line rushing attempts.
How much better Denver's offense will be in 2024 remains to be seen, but one thing medical experts agree upon and we have seen proof of over the years, is that players coming back from ACL injuries usually don't regain their pre-injury form until two years removed from surgery. Williams is now two years removed from those injuries, and assuming he regains that form, he'll be motivated with a lot to prove in the final year of his rookie deal to earn a second contract.
In 2022, Williams excelled as a pass catcher out of the backfield, averaging 7.3 yards per catch. That plummeted to 4.8 yards per catch last year but he did end 2023 with promise, catching seven passes on nine targets for 43 yards in Denver's final regular season game. We know Sean Peyton's history with running backs, and how they've excelled catching passes in his offense. So if Williams can continue getting those targets but regain his previous burst with the ball in his hands, his fantasy ceiling will be high.
